Glendale Community College (GCC) was visited for a comprehensive evaluation March 4-6, 2002, by a team representing the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. GCC has been accredited by the Commission since 1967. At the conclusion of the visit, the team recommended that GCC be accredited for ten more years and continue its affiliation with HLC/NCA.

The Commission on Institutions of Higher Education is one of six accrediting agencies in the United States that provide institutional accreditation on a regional basis. Institutional accreditation evaluates an entire institution and accredits it as a whole. Other agencies provide accreditation for specific programs. Accreditation is voluntary. The Commission accredits approximately 950 institutions of higher education in a 19-state region. The Commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

For the preceding year and a half, GCC had been engaged in a process of self-study, addressing the Commission's general institutional requirements and criteria for accreditation. The public was also asked to submit comments about the college to HLC/NCA via links and other contact information posted to this web site in previous months.

The evaluation team visited GCC to gather evidence that the self-study was thorough and accurate. The team recommended to the Commission a continuing status for the College; following a review process, the Commission itself is to take the final action. For the team's schedule and other information about the visit, see the special edition of Gaucho Gazette.