TSJC hosts successful NLNAC site visit
The Trinidad State Junior College Nursing Program hosted an accreditation site visit by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) on October 11-12.
Following the site visit, TSJC President Felix Lopez announced, “TSJC satisfactorily met the requirements in all six standards required to advance to the next level of review to receive national accreditation.” The six areas reviewed were: Mission and Administrative Capacity, Faculty and Staff, Students, Curriculum, Resources, and Outcomes.
Lopez expressed his extreme gratitude to the entire nursing faculty and supporting personnel, led by director Louise Sowards, MSN, RN, for their dedication to the students and to developing an outstanding nursing program. He also noted the overwhelmingly positive comments about the program’s partnerships and collaborations by the accreditation review team. “We are honored to have the opportunity to work side by side with such a caring, talented and dedicated group,” he said.
“We are pleased with the outcome of the accreditation site visit. Our success is a product of the mutual cooperation between the TSJC nursing faculty and staff and the supportive administration on both campuses, the support we have received from the entire college faculty and staff as well as the community at large,” said Sowards.
The site review team noted three particular areas of excellence, Sowards said. They dubbed the ‘Keys Program,’ an academic support program through TSJC’s student support services, as a ‘Best Practice.’ They also noted the exceptional community financial support in terms of grants and scholarships, and community support for the nursing program overall,” she said.
Dr. Paula Davis, Vice President of Academic Affairs said, “The credit for the positive results from this accreditation visit goes to the wonderful nursing faculty and staff who worked so hard to accomplish this task. This accreditation is very important to the students of Trinidad State Junior College and their future employment opportunities.”
Lynette Bates, Associate Dean of Career and Technical Education commented, “I commend the Trinidad State Junior College faculty and staff for their efforts in preparing for this review. The NLNAC reviewers praised the strong student support services on both of our campuses and highlighted the high student pass rates for the state board exams. Healthcare is of critical concern for rural Colorado and our nursing program is imperative for the communities within the TSJC service areas.”
Two additional NLNAC committees will evaluate and review the site review team’s conclusions as well as TSJC’s application materials before final accreditation status is determined, around the first week in March, Lopez said.
For more information about the site visit or TSJC’s nursing program, contact Louise Sowards at 719-589-7044 or 719-846-5524.
