Winthrop Reaffirmed for Accreditation with SACS

Quick Facts

The full reaccreditation process occurs every 10 years for all SACS institutions; however, there is a required five-year interim report on the Quality Enhancement Plan and selected compliance standards.

Winthrop’s Quality Enhancement Plan, entitled the Global Learning Initiative, is designed to integrate intentionally global learning across the university’s general education or Touchstone program.

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Debra Boyd

ROCK HILL, S.C. - The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) has reaffirmed full accreditation for Winthrop University with no conditions or follow-up required. The decision was announced Dec. 6 at the SACS annual meeting in Orlando, Fla.

A nine-member team, led by staff member Dr. Rudolph Jackson, visited Winthrop in April and made recommendations to the accrediting body.

Karen Jones, associate vice president for academic affairs and university liaison to SACS, said the reaccreditation process involved two main components: a compliance report, which is an audit of the institution’s compliance with SACS policies and standards, and a Quality Enhancement Plan, which is a forward-looking five-year plan to enhance student learning in some way.

Winthrop’s Quality Enhancement Plan, entitled the Global Learning Initiative, is designed to integrate intentionally global learning across the university’s general education or Touchstone program.

Debra Boyd, vice president for academic affairs, said the reaccreditation reflects the university’s public accountability. “The full and unconditional reaffirmation of Winthrop's accreditation reflects our learning community's dedication to excellence and our clear focus on student learning and development in all aspects of the Winthrop experience,” she said. "Every member of the Winthrop community should take pride in the outcome of this reaffirmation process."

Several hundred members of the Winthrop community of administrators, faculty, staff and students volunteered their time over the last three years to compile the reaccreditation documentation and write reports. Winthrop's successful reaffirmation effort was led by Jones; Pat Graham, reaffirmation director; and Jean Silagyi-Rebovich, assessment director.

The full reaccreditation process occurs every 10 years for all SACS institutions; however, there is a required five-year interim report on the Quality Enhancement Plan and selected compliance standards.

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