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Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) earned its 10-year reaffirmation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

"We are thrilled to announce that the Board of Trustees of the SACSCOC has voted and approved Georgia Gwinnett College’s accreditation reaffirmation as we embark on the 20th year of our young history,” said GGC President Jann L. Joseph. “Our enrollment numbers have rebounded strongly from the pandemic and continue to grow; with record enrollments this summer and anticipated growth this fall. Retention rates are at an all-time high, and we are celebrating record graduation rates.”

SACSCOC grants accreditation status to degree-granting higher education institutions in 11 southern states, Latin America and 68 other countries worldwide. The process for reaffirmation includes rigorous internal and external peer review processes, which help ensure that an institution like GGC adheres to standards that include academic excellence, policy and fiscal responsibility. An institution that fails to meet accreditation standards can face the loss of federal funding, which greatly impacts its ability to award financial aid to students.

Joseph said the reaffirmation process was supported by schools and departments across the college, which worked together for more than a year to review policies, processes and to address recommendations by SACSCOC reviewers.

A critical component of the reaffirmation process was the submission of GGC’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). The QEP outlines GGC’s commitment to assure institutional quality and effectiveness by focusing on an institutionwide initiative that will improve student success. GGC’s plan will focus its efforts on experiential learning, which will provide students with the critical thinking skills they need to identify, analyze and solve real-world issues.

Joseph said she is thankful for the support of the SACSCOC, the GGC community and the University System of Georgia.

“We are building on a solid foundation and poised for a bright future,” she said. “Our new strategic plan, set to guide us to our silver anniversary in 2030, underscores our commitment to making a difference in the lives of our students and contributing significantly to the Georgia workforce. Georgia Gwinnett College is not just an institution of higher learning; it is a beacon of opportunity and growth for our students and the community we serve."

GGC has been accredited since 2009 and seeks accreditation every 10 years.

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