(Santa Ana, Calif.) — The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), Western Association of Schools and Colleges has reaffirmed accreditation for Santa Ana College for the next seven years.

The accreditation process is a thorough external review of a college, university, or program that ensures students are receiving the highest level of academic quality.  Accreditation provides students, family, and community assurance that the accredited institution provides positive student outcomes including student retention, services, and completion rates. Upon numerous reviews and virtual site visits, ACCJC has determined that Santa Ana College meets or exceeds standards set by the Accrediting Commission and will continue to serve the students and community as an accredited institution for the next seven years.

“Santa Ana College has, for over a century, provided its students and our community with unparalleled educational opportunities and services," said Santa Ana College President Dr. Annebelle Nery. “To have that tradition of excellence acknowledged through reaffirmation of accreditation is a testament to the tireless dedication of the Rancho Santiago Community College District Board of Trustees, as well as the college's administrators, faculty, staff, and alumni."

The accreditation process is not an easy one, often taking years to complete with countless staff, faculty, and administrators working together to provide the Accrediting Commission with the documentation needed to conduct their review. Dr. Nery extends recognition and gratitude to Jeffrey Lamb, Ph.D., vice president and accreditation liaison officer; Fernando Ortiz, Ph.D., dean of Academic Affairs; Monica S. Zarske, M.A., accreditation faculty coordinator; and the countless staff and faculty that contributed to this critical process.

In addition to meeting the set standards of academic excellence, the accreditation committee review team made note of Santa Ana College's sustainability efforts and its focus on the institutionalization of these efforts into the ethos of the college.For more information on accreditation and the accreditation process, please visit https://accjc.org or sac.edu under accreditation tab.

​About Santa Ana College

Santa Ana College (SAC), which turned 100 years old in 2015, serves about 18,000 students each semester. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions and provides workforce training for business and industry. In addition, another 11,000 students are served through the college's School of Continuing Education located at Centennial Education Center. Ranked as one of the nation's top, two-year colleges awarding associate degrees to Latino and Asian students, the college is also recognized throughout the state for its comprehensive workforce training programs for nurses, firefighters, law enforcement and medical personnel. SAC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District.

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