She quoted the report of first accreditation visiting committee in 1985 which stated that “in order for the college to succeed and achieve its full potential, it must be a college of, by, and for the people.”
King told legislators their support is important because they represent and speak for the people.
“We need to work together for our college and for our community,” she said.
King said although the college’s accreditation was reaffirmed in June last year, much work remains to be done.
NMC’s board of regents, she added, is committed to ensuring the college’s continued accreditation.
She said the regents want the college to live up to its mission “to provide the best quality and meaningful post-secondary and adult educational opportunities for the purpose of improving the quality of life for the individual and for the commonwealth as a whole.”
Accreditation, she added, is an important assurance of quality in any profession, particularly education.
“I don’t proclaim to be an expert on accreditation, but I understand and appreciate its importance at the college,” she said.
In addition to assuring quality in the college’s programs, the accreditation process promotes continuous quality improvement and enables the students and programs to avail of federal funding and financial aid, she added.
“Without accreditation, the college would not — could not — be what it is today,” she said.
King joined NMC interim President Lorraine T. Cabrera and accreditation liaison officer Galvin S. Deleon Guerrero in briefing House members on Monday regarding the college’s accreditation.
