Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

07/17/2026

This month's edition of the Torch Report highlights the launch of the SACSCOC Transfer Credit Consortium—a new voluntary, faculty-led initiative designed to improve the transfer of general education credit and help create clearer pathways to student success.

You'll also find updates on:
🔹 Our new Commission brand
🔹 The Workforce Initiative
🔹 Substantive Change approvals
🔹 Staff and member news
🔹 Opportunities to get involved in the 2026 Annual Meeting

Together, these stories reflect our ongoing commitment to supporting member institutions and putting Students First, Always.

📘 Read the July issue here: https://sacscoc.org/torch-report/

07/13/2026

Students shouldn't have to start over just because they transferred to a new college or university.

Every year, students lose valuable college credit when they transfer between institutions — adding unnecessary time, expense, and frustration to earning a degree.

That's why SACSCOC is launching the Transfer Credit Consortium, a new voluntary, faculty-led initiative designed to help colleges and universities create clearer transfer pathways for general education courses.

The Consortium brings institutions together to reduce unnecessary credit loss while preserving what matters most:
🎓 Academic quality
👩‍🏫 Faculty leadership
🏛️ Institutional independence

When students can keep the credit they've already earned, they're better positioned to complete their degrees, enter the workforce sooner, and achieve their goals.

We look forward to working with our member institutions to build better pathways for student success.

📖 Learn more: https://sacscoc.org/news-and-events/sacscoc-launches-national-initiative-to-boost-transfer-of-credit-between-member-institutions/

06/24/2026

What makes accreditation work?

According to SACSCOC President Dr. Stephen L. Pruitt, it starts with trust.

There can be a natural tension between institutions and accreditors. Institutions may hesitate to ask questions or propose new ideas because they are unsure of the outcome. However, accreditation is most effective when institutions see their accreditor as a partner in their journey.

In this video, Dr. Pruitt emphasizes the importance of involving SACSCOC early in discussions, especially when institutions are considering innovative ideas or major changes.

"We want to be an organization that finds a way to say yes to innovative things."

Our goal is to help institutions succeed. Because when institutions succeed, their students succeed.

06/11/2026

Today, our Board of Trustees approved a new name and brand identity.

Beginning September 1, 2026, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) will become The Commission on Colleges and Universities.

While our name is changing, our commitment to educational quality, continuous improvement, and student success remains the same.

We are proud of our legacy and excited for the future.

Learn more here:

Introducing our new name: The Commission on Colleges and Universities. On Thursday, June 11, 2026, our Board of Trustees approved a new name and brand identity: The Commission on Colleges and Universities. The new name reflects our commitment to innovation, educational quality, and student success.....

06/04/2026

The June edition of The Torch Report is now available.

In this month's issue, SACSCOC President Dr. Stephen L. Pruitt discusses the release of the first draft of the revised Principles of Accreditation and why member engagement is critical as the review process moves forward.

You'll also find updates on:
-The AIM Negotiated Rulemaking process
-SACSCOC's new Office of New Member Services
-Workforce development initiatives
-Summer Institute 2026
-Institutional achievements from across our membership

Read the latest issue and learn how your voice can help shape what's next for accreditation.

Read it here: https://sacscoc.org/torch-report/

06/02/2026

Accreditation is strongest when it reflects the voices and experiences of the institutions and communities it serves.

SACSCOC has released the first draft of the revised Principles of Accreditation: The Standards for Accreditation and Reaffirmation for public review and comment.

We invite member institutions and stakeholders to review the draft and share their feedback as we work together to shape the future of accreditation.

Comments accepted through June 19, 2026.

🔗 Review the draft and submit feedback: sacscoc.org/principles-review

06/01/2026

WORKFORCE INITIATIVE |

America faces a significant workforce challenge. Millions of jobs are projected to go unfilled in the coming years, and meeting that challenge will require stronger connections between higher education and workforce needs.

In this conversation, Dr. Stephen L. Pruitt and Dr. Sandra Jordan discuss how colleges and universities can help create more pathways to high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand careers while maintaining the quality and rigor students deserve.

Through SACSCOC's Workforce Initiative, institutions are exploring new approaches, including certificates, workforce-focused pathways, and innovative degree models designed to help more students move successfully from education into meaningful careers.

Higher education has long been one of our nation's greatest economic engines. The question is not whether institutions can help meet workforce needs, but how we can work together to do it more effectively.

Watch the conversation below.

05/12/2026

2026 ANNUAL MEETING | Exploring New Frontiers in Higher Education

UPDATE: The Call for Proposals is now closed.

Set in Houston, Texas, a city long associated with bold missions, calculated risk, and the courage to push beyond what is known, this year’s Annual Meeting invites the higher education community to chart its own new frontier. Just as mission control brings together diverse expertise to navigate the unknown and guide explorers safely forward, SACSCOC calls on its member institutions to come together, share what is working, and build the strategies needed to lead with confidence into what lies ahead.

04/29/2026

2026 ANNUAL MEETING | Call for Proposals

UPDATE: The Call for Proposals is now closed.

Inspired by the idea of “new frontiers,” this year’s meeting calls on institutions to share what’s working, what’s changing, and what comes next in accreditation and institutional effectiveness.

04/01/2026

Summer Institute 2026 | July 19-222 | Atlanta

Planning ahead for summer?

The SACSCOC Summer Institute returns July 19–22 in Atlanta, bringing together higher education professionals from across the country to focus on accreditation, quality, and student success.

Whether you’re preparing for reaffirmation, working through substantive change, or just looking to connect with peers, this is a great opportunity to learn and grow.

Learn more:
https://sacscoc.org/summer-institute/