The following memo is from Robin Panneton, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) coordinator and associate professor of psychology, College of Science.

As an institution of higher learning, Virginia Tech is accredited by its regional body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). In keeping with our strong history of academic excellence, Virginia Tech proudly acknowledges its reaffirmation of accreditation, conveyed by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees at the 115th annual meeting in Louisville, Ky., held last month.

Reaffirmation of accreditation was an intense, campus-wide effort that involved all facets of our university: administrators, faculty, staff, and students. The university produced comprehensive documentation of its integrity and effectiveness in meeting our ongoing educational mission as well as making great strides toward our 2006-2012 institutional strategic goals.

Additionally, our focus on reaccreditation enabled Virginia Tech to launch Pathways to Success; our innovative quality enhancement plan, promoting and extending the creation of first-year experiences for our undergraduate students. Several exciting, new programs have been initiated, all of which are committed to increasing opportunities for student engagement and discovery of career pathways. More first year experience programs are on our horizon!

In a humble sense, this 10-year reaccreditation comes as no surprise to any member of the Virginia Tech community who is familiar with our world-class research and teaching facilities, first rate teachers and instructors, dedicated administrators and staff, and remarkably talented students. But Virginia Tech owes its vibrancy and ongoing success to the dedicated labor emanating from the entire campus.

President Charles W. Steger and Provost Mark G. McNamee extend their appreciation to all of you in achieving yet another indication of our strengths in learning, discovery, and engagement.

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