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Accreditation Assurance Review

REVIEW

Northern New Mexico College underwent a mid-cycle Assurance Review in June 2020, culminating with the College’s institutional accreditation being extended under the Open Pathway process by the Higher Learning Commission for five years (2025-2026) when the Comprehensive Evaluation is scheduled to occur.  

Open Pathway Process

The Open Pathway for Reaffirmation of Accreditation process includes both improvement and assurance components over a 10-year cycle.  The process involves:

  • Regular Monitoring through submission of annual Institutional Updates
  • Year 4: Assurance Review through an online submission of a 35,000-word argument and supporting evidence to demonstrate how the institution meets accreditation criteria (this occurred in 2020)
  • Years 5-9: Quality Initiative, a multi-year improvement project of our choosing

Year 10: Comprehensive Evaluation including an assurance review, federal compliance review, and on-site visit (this will occur in 2026)

Northern offers over 50 bachelor's, associate and certificate programs in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math); Nursing and Health Sciences; Liberal Arts and Humanities; Arts, Film & Media; Business Administration; Teacher Education and Technical Trades.
Northern New Mexico College is the most affordable 4-year college in the Southwestern US. Choose us for our value, our quality degree and continuing education programs in diverse areas of study, and our experienced faculty. We provide students with unique opportunities for academic, personal, and professional growth, small class sizes, personalized attention, and strong hands-on experiences from day one.
The Northern Foundation remains committed to stimulate leadership, promote equity, and grow resources and philanthropy in the Española Valley and surrounding rural areas. Over the past twenty years, we have granted $1.3 million to support over 1,250 NNMC students.