GCC accreditation extended through 2034

By MEGAN HUGHES

news@yourdailyglobe.com

Ironwood — The Gogebic Community College Board of Trustees heard Tuesday the college has been granted accreditation through 2034.

“This comes following our comprehensive visit this past October following years of hard work by all staff in all areas to meet the Higher Learning Commission’s criteria for accreditation,” said Maria Sokol, accreditation liaison and anatomy and physiology instructor in a college press release.

Accreditation is a stamp of approval that GCC is meeting quality standards, said the release.

“Not only does it demonstrate the quality of the education students receive at GCC, but it allows students to receive federal student aid and ensures academic credits are transferable between Gogebic and other accredited institutions,” said college President Chris Patritto.

The reaffirmation process is performed by the Higher Learning Commission, which takes a look at colleges and analyzes various aspects of their institution, including courses, instruction, administrative ability, and more. According to the release, Gogebic will continue on the “standard pathway,” which breaks down into a specialized visit in the fall of 2025 for co-curricular assessment, a more comprehensive visit in four years and reaffirmation in 10 years.

The board heard a presentation from Ironwood City Manager Paul Anderson regarding a letter of intent to purchase from the college land that the city’s Civic Center is on. The city has been leasing the property since the facility was built in 1982.

The board voted to move the letter of intent into the next stage, which involves the execution of property transfer in March, at their respective college board and city commission meetings, with the intention to sell the property to the city by Sept. 30.

Also at the meeting, the board heard and approved a proposal from UPEA for the Rutger Erickson Academic Building roof project.

“The last time the roof was redone was in 2006,” said Vice President of Business Services Chad Lashua. He said the academic building is in need of roof repairs, citing several spaces in the building having leaks that could hinder further upgrades or projects that the school would like to have done in the building.

Board chair Susan Beals used the Zoom classroom as an example, which had notable leaks that she described as a “mini waterfall” at times.

The proposal was to have UPEA do the engineering work for the project before bids are sought.

Lashua said ideally the project will be completed this summer.

The board heard a report regarding the National Conference on Student Leadership held in Orlando, Florida, from Career Advisor Kris Michel and student Kody Schaar. Three TRiO students attended the conference, having been selected from a pool of 14 applications. According to Michel, students were given the opportunity to attend workshops and presentations about leadership skills, personal development, networking, self care and wellness.

Due to the upcoming spring break, the board rescheduled its next meeting to March 19, at 6 p.m. in Room B22 of the Jacob Solin Center of Business Education.

In other news, the board:

—Hired Katherine Webster of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, as a full time cosmetology instructor.

—Welcomed new employees Monica Benson, Jesse Caroll and Katlyn VanderSpoel.

—Approved the Board Policy Series 306 to remove a redundancy in policies regarding student freedom of expression.

—Approved a revision of Board Policy Series 435 regarding graduation general requirements.

—Approved the bid from Ashland Ford Chrysler for a 2023 Ford Explorer.