NIC accreditation report: Sustainable progress

COEUR d’ALENE — North Idaho College has made significant progress toward resolving the remaining issues identified by accreditors, according to a new report.

A team from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities visited campus in October to assess NIC’s continued progress in resolving the governance issues that led to past sanctions. Evaluators also provided feedback as NIC prepares for the 2027 institutional review, part of the regular accreditation process that all colleges complete. 

The team prepared a 17-page peer evaluation report, published late Wednesday. 

“The report recognizes consistent, measurable progress under the leadership of our current Board of Trustees,” NIC President Nick Swayne said in an email to college employees. “The changes made over the past year are meaningful and, more importantly, sustainable.” 

The next key moment for North Idaho College comes in January, when school leaders will go before the commission once again and the NWCCU board will decide whether NIC returns to good standing. 

NIC has made “substantial progress” in rebuilding its administrative and academic leadership team, according to the report. 

“Overall, governance and administrative stability has been restored, leadership practices are aligned with policy and accreditation standards and stakeholder confidence has improved,” the report said.  

In last November’s peer evaluation report, accreditors took notice of “negative and unproductive” interactions between the college president and individual trustees. They cautioned that improvements to college governance were recent and might not last. 

A year later, the latest report confirmed that “trustees are taking seriously their role as a policy board,” in accordance with NIC policies. 

“Board members described their ability to share varying viewpoints, discuss complex issues, listen to advice from others and make decisions in the best interest of the college and student success,” the report said. “During the visit, members of the President’s Cabinet confirmed the board complies with its conduct policy, emphasizing that the trustees consistently demonstrate respect for each other and follow proper decorum.” 

NIC faculty, staff and student constituent groups have formally rescinded past resolutions of no confidence or declared them resolved, evaluators noted. The college is also making “meaningful progress” toward improving employee retention. 

Swayne expressed optimism about NIC’s standing. 

“We know we’re on a positive path to an improved outcome and look forward to celebrating it with all of you,” Swayne wrote. “Thank you for everything you do for our college. Your commitment to quality, integrity and student success makes all the difference.”