Tennessee Tech secured its second consecutive perfect reaccreditation review following a comprehensive evaluation.
Associate Provost Sharon Huo said the university achieved full compliance with zero recommendations for improvement from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Huo said most institutions receive findings they must address over several months or years to maintain their standing.
“It’s not common to get the ‘no recommendations,’” Huo said. “And then for us, we got no recommendation even 10 years ago, so in the sense we got full compliance and no recommendations of findings for two consecutive reaffirmation of accreditation. So it’s rare.”
Huo said the accreditation process involves a comprehensive certification report followed by both off-site and on-site committee reviews. Huo said the on-site committee visits the campus to conduct interviews with faculty and students to ensure the university is meeting all established criteria.
Among other milestones, like a record-breaking spring commencement, Huo said the latest reaccreditation review is another example of the university trending in the right direction.
“Fundamentally, (it) really shows the excellencies of the university,” Huo said. “Shows we (are in) compliance with all SACSCOC’s accreditation standards, and also we are committed to fulfill the university’s mission.”
Huo said maintaining institutional accreditation is a requirement for the university to receive federal grants and student financial aid. Huo said without this recognition from the U.S. Department of Education, students would not be eligible to receive the aid necessary to fund their education.
“Students really, really care about accreditation,” Huo said. “Without accreditation, the university won’t be able to provide financial aid to students. And also in this process, the reviewers team met with our students, and then they ask questions, they not just asking about which programs are you in, but really they want to make sure students have good experiences.”
Huo said the standards require the university to prove its programs offer rigorous, progressive content and that faculty possess sufficient qualifications to teach. Huo said these efforts are designed to ensure students can complete their degrees in a timely manner.
“It’s not something, you know, like you get accreditation reaffirmed and then you’re done,” Huo said. “It’s definitely continue efforts. And that really shows, you know, we can get two consecutive reaffirmation with no recommendations.”
Huo said the university will continue its efforts to meet these standards consistently as the institution grows.