Gila County Provisional Community College District

The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) conducted a site visit at the Gila Pueblo and Payson Campuses from October 7-9. The Peer Review Team, consisting of five academic and administrative representatives from ACCJC member institutions, reviewed the Institutional Self-Evaluation Report (ISER) Gila Community College (GCC) submitted in August 2024 before their visit. The purpose of the ISER and site visit was to determine the degree to which GCC is aligned with ACCJC’s standards and GCC’s readiness for Candidacy Status.

The Peer Review Team is finalizing a draft report of its findings based on the ISER, evidence provided, and interviews conducted on-site with students, staff, faculty, administrators, and GCC District Governing Board members. The Team’s report may provide recommendations for strengthening institutional alignment with the Standards and/or provide recommendations for resolving areas of non-compliance with the Standards, if applicable, in order to achieve initial accreditation.

At its next regular meeting, scheduled for January 8-9, 2025, the ACCJC Commission will review the ISER and the Peer Review Team’s Report to determine which Standards have been met and which require additional development and/or documentation from the institution to demonstrate compliance. Based on this review, the Commission will take one of the following actions: Grant Candidacy, Deny Candidacy, or Grant Initial Accreditation. The Commission will notify the institution of its decision in writing through a formal action letter.

In the meantime, GCC will continue to build its infrastructure and create policies and procedures for operating as an independent community college.

If I can provide any additional information or clarification, please feel free to contact me.

Janice Lawhorn, Ph.D.
Interim President
Gila County Community College District
(928) 473-1282 (Office)
(928) 965-3267 (Cell)