Chambers to present: Addressing your NIC accreditation concerns

The Joint Chamber Public Policy Committee, comprising all four chambers of commerce in Kootenai County, will present an in-person community focus group from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 16 in the Lake Coeur d’Alene Room of the Edminster Student Union Building at North Idaho College.

The event is free to attend and open to the public. It will be a hybrid town hall and community focus group, moderated by North Idaho College Interim Provost Dr. Lloyd Duman and NIC President Dr. Nick Swayne.

Additional panelists/senior leaders from NIC include:

• Sherry Simkins, Ed.D., Dean of Instruction, General Studies

• Molly Michaud, M.A, English and Humanities Division Chair

• Christina Barton, J.D., LL.M., Business Division Co-Chair

According to a news release announcing the event, “a common thread across all four chambers is an influx of questions and concerns coming from citizens across North Idaho who are deeply concerned about the future of North Idaho College and the damaging impact it could have on our economy.”

Christina Petit, president and CEO of the Post Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, said North Idaho College is vital to the business community as it provides a talent pipeline for many of the area’s top industries.

“North Idaho College makes Idaho a better place,” Petit said. “Loss of accreditation at North Idaho College will devastate our local economy.”

Linda Coppess, president and CEO of the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber, said much is at stake for business leaders.

“North Idaho College is the No. 1 resource our businesses count on for workforce training and development. We have a responsibility to our members and to our community to create space for open and respectful dialogue,” Coppess said. “We want to provide our community with an opportunity to hear directly from the folks who are working hard to make sure NIC maintains accreditation.”

NIC administrators and faculty will solicit and address key questions and concerns coming from community leaders regarding the loss of accreditation. They will also explain the process for creating the response to the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities’ show cause sanction.

The discussion and conversation in this focus group will be used to create a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document addressing accreditation concerns that can be shared more broadly to help combat some of the confusion and misinformation that is out there.

To RSVP, visit bit.ly/3YEWVqs