New Member Services Office Boosts Recruitment Efforts

This spring, the Commission opened a department dedicated to recruitment, the development of new pathways to membership, and streamlining services for potential new members.

The Office of New Member Services, headed by Senior Vice President Dr. Patricia L. Donat, is charged with growing the Commission’s membership in the United States and abroad.

The office is currently anticipating 8 potential new member institutions over the next year, including some located in states outside the Commission’s historic footprint and overseas.

The list also includes a handful of schools currently accredited by other federally recognized accreditors.

“Membership in SACSCOC is highly valued and respected around the world,” Donat said. “A lot of institutions see our membership as a way to expand professional development, partnership opportunities, and institutional reputation.

“For international institutions, although recognized in their countries, often by their governments, these institutions are looking for membership in an organization with a reputation like ours.

“We can provide that ‘gold’ stamp of recognition that many of them are looking for.”

Donat said her office has also streamlined several pathways to membership, reducing time-to-membership by 6 to 12 months in some cases.

“In the last year, I’ve been listening to our candidates to understand their experience with our path to membership,” Donat said. “It was a very valuable experience. We’ve identified some steps we can take to make the process less burdensome without sacrificing what makes us stand out.”

Learn more about applying for SACSCOC membership online here.