Yes. NIC maintained its status as an accredited institution of higher education and serves nearly 20,000 people a year through its diverse offerings, including courses and programs for academic transfer, career and technical education, workforce training, continuing education, developmental education and social service programs.
Yes. NIC students have access to a full array of federal, state and local financial aid programs. The college provides extensive support services to help students secure financial aid, housing and other programs. Last year, NIC's Foundation awarded more than $1 million in scholarships.
Absolutely. Starting Fall 2022, NIC will offer multiple start dates, flexible scheduling and accelerated courses that include face-to-face instruction, hybrid and fully online learning. The college is adding to its large array of evening offerings, including a one-year Business Management Entrepreneurship Basic Certificate.
On April 1, 2022, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities issued a warning in a Letter of Action to NIC. The letter stated that NIC is out of compliance with Eligibility Requirements and Standards related to its governance and institutional integrity. Those deficiencies are being addressed.
NIC was found in compliance in all operational and instructional areas.
The Idaho State Board of Education provides general supervision of the state educational institutions. The State Board of Education is empowered by Idaho code to fill vacancies if a community college board has two or fewer members. The Board interviewed candidates and named three new trustees in May 2022.
Yes. NIC credits transfer just as they always did. Nothing has changed for students with transfer credits.
No. NIC retains its full accreditation during this period. Nothing has changed for students seeking certification.
No. The accreditation process gives NIC the opportunity to address board governance and institutional integrity issues. The timeline would not allow NIC to lose accreditation during the 2022-23 academic year, unless there was an egregious and unexpected act committed by NIC.
That's not likely. First, there are processes in place that allow institutions with a sanction a period of time to make the necessary changes. Also, NIC and its partners are doing all they can to address the issues that drew the warning so that the college remains accredited.
NIC has made progress with recommendations and requirements from the Letter of Action. A permanent president was named in June 2022. The NIC Board of Trustees voted in new officers. The trustees have voted on a new Orientation Policy and now consider a Consent Agenda, including operational policy changes, during their regular meetings. The NWCCU will return for a Mid-Cycle visit on April 17-18, 2023, at which time the warning could be removed if all conditions set out in the Letter of Action are met.