Lufkin, Texas — Angelina College has made history by receiving no recommendations or findings of noncompliance from a Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) on-site reaffirmation committee during its October visit. Receiving no recommendations at this stage of the reaccreditation process is a result the college has never achieved in its history. The SACSCOC Board of Trustees will make the final decision on the college’s reaffirmation of accreditation at its June 2026 meeting.
SACSCOC is an accrediting body responsible for ensuring institutional quality and effectiveness for the US Department of Education. The reaffirmation process is a comprehensive evaluation conducted by SACSCOC every ten years. Completing an on-site review with no recommendations is an unusual outcome, achieved by only a small percentage of institutions each cycle. It reflects Angelina College’s unwavering commitment to student success, accountability, and excellence.
“I am proud of our team’s commitment to doing the right things in the right ways to change lives for the better every day,” AC President Dr. Michael Simon said. “The SACSCOC on-site reaffirmation committee report affirms through the peer review process that the college is meeting the high standards established by SACSCOC.”
“I am thankful for the governance of the AC Board of Trustees, the leadership of the college’s administration and management team, and the commitment and good work of everyone in our organization. Our stakeholders can look forward with confidence to the college continuing to help students and the community reach their full potential.”
Commenting on the results, the AC’s Board of Trustees released the following statement:
“This achievement is nothing short of extraordinary. A perfect reaffirmation requires years of focused preparation, disciplined execution, and a community of employees who deeply believe in our mission. We are incredibly proud of the faculty and staff under the direction of President Michael Simon. This moment affirms the strength of the AC Way and the shared commitment to transforming lives through education.”
The SACSCOC reaffirmation process engaged AC teammates from every aspect of the college, including governance, academic affairs, business affairs, institutional effectiveness, and student affairs and services. The review included the college preparing a compliance certification that was thousands of pages of narrative and evidence, a peer review by a SACSCOC off-site committee, and a peer review by a different SACSCOC on-site committee. Both committees comprised peers from accredited colleges located outside of Texas.
Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness and SACSCOC Institutional Accreditation Liaison Joy Medford credits the faculty and staff for this historic achievement.
“The reaffirmation process is challenging, there’s no doubt, but AC faculty and staff were committed to the process and to maintaining our high standards,” Medford said.
According to the SACSCOC website, “Accreditation by SACSCOC signifies that the institution (1) has a mission appropriate to higher education, (2) has resources, programs, and services sufficient to accomplish and sustain that mission, and (3) maintains clearly specified educational objectives that are consistent with its mission and appropriate to the degrees its offers, and that indicate whether it is successful in achieving its stated objectives.” (https://sacscoc.org/)
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Angelina College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Angelina College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels.
Questions about the accreditation of Angelina College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
