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Accreditation

Welcome to BMCC's institutional accreditation information hub. You can find information about news updates, links, the importance of accreditation, BMCC's accredited status, and a list of program accreditations.

About Accreditation at BMCC

Blue Mountain Community College (BMCC) has received their official accreditation re-affirmation letter from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). BMCC received three commendations and six recommendations. Since 1968, BMCC has been recognized for its performance, integrity, and quality to merit the confidence of the educational community and the public. This recognition is also known as accreditation.

Blue Mountain College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). 

Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer-review process. An accredited college or university is one that has the necessary resources available to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation.

Accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution.

How does institutional accreditation help BMCC?

Institutional accreditation provides the stamp of approval necessary for a college to access funding from the federal government. With about 70% of BMCC students relying on some form of federal financial aid, accreditation is essential to our financial viability. Beyond providing access to funds, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities’ (NWCCU) accreditation standards place student success at the heart of the process and incentivize the College to strive toward continual improvement of our ability to equitably serve students, staff, faculty, administrators, and the community. Accreditation ensures that students:

  • receive a quality education
  • have access to federal student aid programs
  • receive transferable credits
  • receive appropriate licensure, certificates, and degrees appropriate to their field 
  • have access to the programs and services that meet their individual needs as learners

Why it matters to...

Accreditation impacts all stakeholders of Blue Mountain Community College: students, faculty, staff, Board of Education, and the community. Accreditation matters! 

  • Students: Ensures access to financial aid and that credits easily transfer and are recognized by other higher education institutions, as well as employers.
  • Faculty: Provides opportunities to contribute and ensure transparency within our institution. 
  • Board of Education: Creates an understanding of strengths and deficits and provides accountability.
  • Staff: Reinforces a supportive workplace for staff and identify opportunities to improve procedures for solving workplace problems.
  • Community: Ensures accountability for Lane’s development of a highly-skilled and diverse workforce and as a responsible steward of its resources.

Accreditation Team

  • Serve as a steering function to guide self-study process.
  • Communicate to the college and community about accreditation.
  • Develop and format the self-study.
NamePosition, Department
J. Mark BrowningPresident
John FieldsExecutive Vice President, Instruction and Student Success
Heather AndersonAccreditation Liaison Officer
Philip SchmitzInterim Dean, Learning & Academic Engagement
Tammy KrawczykDean, CTE & Workforce Development
Therese BosworthInterim Dean, Student Success
Pat SisnerosChief Operating Officer
Celeste TateChief Business Officer
Brad HoldenChief Information Technology Officer
Dwayne WilliamsDirector, Facilities & Grounds
 Nayeli ContrerasDirector, Hermiston Center
Kristin WilliamsDirector, Library & Learning Hub
Matt LiscomInstructor, CTE
Jeremy PikeInstructor, CTE
Sascha McKeonInstructor, Transfer
Velda ArnaudInstructor, Transfer
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