CMC Accreditation Reaffirmed for Maximum Term

The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), has reaffirmed Copper Mountain College’s accreditation for eight years. ACCJC reviewed CMC’s Institutional Self-Evaluation Report (ISER) and evidentiary materials submitted by the college, as well as considered the Peer Review Team Report prepared by the ACCJC peer review team that conducted its site visit to CMC in February, 2026.

The accreditation process guarantees students that the college meets organizational standards and that the education earned is valuable and the credentials received by students are legitimate.

“After consideration of our Institutional Self-Evaluation Report and the site visit, the Commission voted to reaffirm Copper Mountain College’s accreditation for the maximum term of eight years!” noted CMC Superintendent/President Daren Otten. “Reaffirmation for the full eight-year cycle is the highest level of accreditation action the Commission can grant, making this an exceptional outcome for our college. This is a tremendous accomplishment and one that every member of the CMC family should be incredibly proud of.

“Equally important,” Otten added, “the Commission issued no recommendations, no compliance findings, and awarded the College one commendation. Commendations are reserved for institutional practices that exceed ACCJC Standards and exemplify excellence.”

The accreditation process is long and involved, beginning with the creation of the ISER report for CMC that was submitted in May 2025. The ISER addresses topics ranging from student success and institutional effectiveness to governance and decision-making and infrastructure and resources. The process involves much of the campus community in one form or another.
“Over the past three years, Copper Mountain College has embraced the belief that ‘Accreditation is for Everyone,’” said Mathematics Instructor and Accreditation Liaison Officer LeeAnn Christensen. “This eight-year reaffirmation of accreditation – with no recommendations and a commendation – reflects the dedication of our students, faculty, staff, administrators, and Board of Trustees to continuous improvement and student success. Most importantly, it reflects who we are as a college – people working together to provide current and future students with the highest quality educational opportunities.”

The peer review team conducted a two-day site visit to CMC on February 23-24. Team members met with approximately 70 faculty, administrators, classified staff, and students in formal meetings, group interviews, and individual interviews. Three CMC trustees, including the student trustee, met with the team, and an open forum was held for the CMC community to share thoughts and information with the peer review team.

The peer review team visiting CMC consisted of Team Chair, Dr. Mike Muñoz, Superintendent/President of Long Beach City College; Vice Chair, Dr. Lizette Navarette, President of Woodland Community College; Dr. April Ching, Assistant Professor of English at Honolulu Community College; Dr. Andrew S. LaManque, Executive Dean of Academic Affairs for Ohlone College; Dr. Amy Moffat, Dean of Planning, Research, and Institutional Effectiveness for College of the Redwoods; and ACCJC Vice President Nickawanna Shaw as staff liaison.
The peer review team noted that, “CMC serves approximately 3,600 students annually and offers associate degrees and certificates in 26 academic and career technical fields, along with adult education programs including ESL, GED preparation, and high school completion. Its diverse student population includes recent high school graduates, dual-enrolled students, working adults, first-generation students, and military-affiliated students. Hispanic/Latino students comprise 41% of enrollment, and more than 30% of students have military affiliation, supported through the Veteran Resource Center and Career & Transfer Center.

“As the region’s primary higher education and workforce development institution, CMC addresses local economic challenges by aligning programs with labor market needs in healthcare, business, education, technology, and skilled trades,” the team noted. “The college demonstrates a strong commitment to equity and inclusion through culturally responsive programming and student-centered services. Recent advancements include significant growth in distance education (now over half of total enrollments), expanded student support services such as mental health counseling and a Basic Needs Center, the launch of a MESA program, continued expansion of Career Technical Education programs, and a strong dual enrollment partnership with local high schools. Despite regional economic pressures and declining high school enrollment, CMC remains committed to expanding access and serving as a key educational and economic anchor for the Morongo Basin.”

The peer review team also noted, “the team was impressed by the visible culture of care that was displayed for students and the community. There was a clear sense of collegiality among faculty, classified professionals, and administrators, along with a shared commitment to CMC’s mission: ‘a passion for the success of every individual student.’”

CMC’s accreditation documents, including the ACCJC Reaffirmation Letter, the Peer Review Team Report, and the Institutional Self-Evaluation Report are available to the public online at www.cmccd.edu/accreditation.

The next accreditation review for CMC will conclude in the spring term of 2034.