College commended in extensive evaluation process

(QUEENSBURY, NEW YORK—July 7, 2020) – SUNY Adirondack has earned reaccreditation by the prestigious Middle States Commission on Higher Education, an independent national association that evaluates institutions of higher education to assess their level of academic excellence and success in meeting the needs of students.

Higher education institutions must be accredited to be eligible to receive funding for financial aid to offer students. SUNY Adirondack was last accredited in 2008.

"The independent evaluators from Middle States have again recognized the steadfast dedication to student success and academic excellence of our SUNY Adirondack faculty and staff," said Kristine D. Duffy, Ed.D., president of the college. "This reaccreditation reinforces what our students and community have come to expect from us: a commitment to continuous improvement that helps all students succeed in their individual academic goals and supports the needs of our community."

The college participated in a self-study process that concluded with an evaluation team virtual visit in early April. Six academic and administrative leaders from community colleges in Maryland and New Jersey examined SUNY Adirondack and determined it complies with Middle States’ seven standards of excellence, which promote dedication to students, pursuit and dissemination of knowledge, study and clarification of values, and advancement of the community.

SUNY Adirondack received commendations in several areas, including proactive and strategic planning and responsiveness to community needs; academic assessment procedures; leveraging grant funds to support college goals; strategies to reduce time needed for English remediation; addition of the Agricultural Business degree program; and its 15-year history of offering a lecture series to support professional development.

The Fall 2020 semester at SUNY Adirondack will begin Sept. 9. More than 700 courses will be offered through a combination of remote and on-campus learning options designed to help students achieve their academic goals on time while protecting their health and that of the college’s faculty, staff and community. The list of Fall 2020 courses — and the manner in which they will be taught — will be published on the college’s website Tuesday, July 21. Enrollment is now open.

SUNY Adirondack's next Middle States accreditation review will take place in 2027-28.