ATLANTA (November 11, 2020) — On top of a successful 2020 virtual homecoming where $550,000+ was raised from alumni, supporters, and sponsors, Dr. Kevin James, President of Morris Brown College, announced that its accreditation application with the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) has been approved. This is a major step toward the institution receiving full accreditation. Representatives from TRACS intend to visit the campus in January 2021 for their final evaluation before candidacy consideration in April 2021.
The Virginia based Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools is recognized by the United States Department of Education (ED), the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) as an accrediting agency for Christian postsecondary institutions that offer certificates, diplomas, associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degrees, including distance education. Because the United States Department of Education holds all accrediting agencies to the same standards, as of July 1, 2020, it no longer holds a distinction between regional and national accrediting agencies. Both regional and national agencies are now known as institutional accrediting agencies. TRACS accredits many colleges and has authorized several historically Black colleges including Bennett College, Clinton College, Paine College, Paul Quinn College, Shorter College, and Virginia University of Lynchburg.
According to its website, accreditation through the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, involves an on-going process designed to stimulate continuous self-assessment that allows an institution to analyze its functions, appraise its performances in accomplishing objectives, review its planning procedures, and discover means by which there may be institutional improvement. Accreditation is a determination that an institution is providing the quality of education that society and an institution’s peers have a right to expect. This is accomplished by comparing the performance of the institution against its mission and a set of established standards.
Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Bishop of the 6th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, said, “I am excited about the future of Morris Brown College under Dr. James’ leadership. Morris Brown has made tremendous progress within the last twenty months. The funds raised at this year’s homecoming represents the largest homecoming fundraiser in the past twenty years. The state’s 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 approval (Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission {GNPEC}, and now accreditation application approval with TRACS are clear signs that Morris Brown College is headed in the right direction and gaining momentum for its future.”
“The institution now has national visibility and resurgence. I am also excited about the revitalization of the institution’s academic programs and student services, including new programs such as Esports Performance, Global Management and Applied Leadership, and Hospitality Management. Morris Brown can now compete again, and great things are in store for MBC,” said President Dr. Kevin James.
In December 2002, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) revoked Morris Brown’s accreditation due to debt and financial mismanagement. Dr. James said, “This is history in the making. Morris Brown intends to become the first HBCU to earn its accreditation back twenty years after losing it. When Morris Brown achieves candidacy status, hopefully by April 2021, it will give the college all the rights of a fully accredited college, which allows students to receive federal financial aid. Additionally, student degrees will be recognized by other schools and/or employers.
COVID-19 slowed us down, however, we are super excited to be able to get this far in the process, especially during a pandemic. We are still pressing forward. We ask the community to continue to support our full restoration, specifically through donations on our website morrisbrown.edu. It is a new day for Morris Brown College!” #RestoreMorrisBrown #RethinkMorrisBrown #TheHardReset.
ABOUT MORRIS BROWN COLLEGE:
Morris Brown College, founded in 1881 by the African Methodist Episcopal Church, is a private, coeducational liberal arts college engaged in teaching and public service with a special focus on leadership, management, entrepreneurship, and technology. The institution is the only college in Georgia founded solely by African American patronage.