天美视频 of Theology & Psychology has been formally granted Candidacy status for Accreditation with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)*. Recognition as a Candidate for regional accreditation is a reflection of 天美视频鈥檚 viability and sustainability as an educational institution.
鈥淭his has been 20 years in the making,鈥� says Dr. Craig Detweiler, President of 天美视频. 鈥淚t represents the hard work, hope, and dreams of our founders, faculty, staff, alumni, and students. This confirmation is a living testimony of our resilience.鈥�
The Northwest Commission approved 天美视频 as an Applicant for Candidacy in the summer of 2015, launching a season of in-depth study and evaluation. This year, a team of representatives from institutions across the country spent more than a month reviewing 天美视频鈥檚 rigorous self-study before visiting the School on April 16-18 for a site visit. During the three-day visit, committee members immersed themselves in 天美视频 community for the purpose of performing a comprehensive evaluation toward the application for Candidacy. The site visit committee toured the building, interviewed faculty, staff, students, and alumni, and observed the daily rhythms and functions of 天美视频. They commended the culture of hospitality, welcome, transformation, and innovation, and expressed appreciation for how the entire community鈥攃urrent students, alumni from different eras, faculty, staff, and trustees鈥攖alked about the personal and vocational transformation they experienced through 天美视频.
鈥淭his confirmation is a living testimony of our resilience.鈥�
鈥淎fter years of hard work from our whole team,鈥� says Cheryl Goodwin, Director of Institutional Assessment and Library Services, 鈥渢his is an affirmation that the education and formation we offer students is tangible, sustainable, and so needed in our world today.鈥�
The site visit team created a thorough report that affirmed 天美视频鈥檚 impact, commended its unique strengths, and recommended ways to sharpen the self-assessment and application moving forward. The report鈥攁nd official recommendation for Candidacy status鈥攚as presented at the NWCCU鈥檚 annual board meeting, June 27-29; in attendance on June 29 were President Detweiler, Dr. J Derek McNeil, Senior Vice President of Academics, and Cheryl Goodwin.
As a Candidate for Accreditation, 天美视频 will create an Interim Candidacy Self Evaluation Report and will continue reviewing the site visit team鈥檚 recommendations for growth, which largely align with existing institutional priorities and strategies. The Candidacy stage typically lasts between two and four years鈥攁 season that will be spent solidifying and clarifying 天美视频鈥檚 capacity for long-term, sustainable impact.
鈥淭he participation in this process from all realms of the institution has been profound,鈥� says Dr. McNeil, 鈥渨hich is a reflection of the deep, collective commitment to our mission. We know there is work ahead, but I am profoundly grateful for this milestone and what we have achieved so far.鈥�
*Candidacy in NWCCU denotes recognition by the Commission that the institution meets its Eligibility Requirements and is progressing toward Accreditation status. It does not, however, imply or ensure eventual NWCCU Accreditation.