HOUSTON (Feb. 1, 07) – Dr. John Pickelman, chancellor of the North Harris Montgomery Community College District has been elected chair of the Board of Trustees of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) for 2007.
Dr. Pickelman was selected to the role by his colleagues for his experience and leadership in higher education.
The 10-member board manages the affairs of the association. SACS is the corporation that accredits institutions in the 11 states in southeastern United States. It is made up of two units: Commission on Colleges and the Council on Accreditation and School Improvement.
The Commission on Colleges of the SACS is the recognized regional accrediting body in the eleven U.S. Southern states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia, and in Latin America for those institutions of higher education that award associate, baccalaureate, master's or doctoral degrees. The Commission on Colleges is the representative body of the College Delegate Assembly and is charged with carrying out the accreditation process.
Dr. Belle Wheelan, president of the Commission on Colleges and chief administrative officer for the Southern Association, expressed appreciation that Dr. Pickelman will be in the leadership role as chair of the board.
“Dr. Pickelman’s role as chair is particularly significant at this point in time for the association” she said. “Bylaw revisions in 2005 reflected a change in the structure and authority of the commission and the council that make up the Association and also affected the role of the board. The application of these bylaws and the decisions of this board will have a long-term impact on the umbrella organization—the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Dr. Pickelman’s strong leadership skills along with his knowledge and experience of the accreditation process will be of tremendous value during this transition.”
Dr. Pickelman has served as NHMCCD chancellor since 1991. Under his leadership the district has seen tremendous growth and change. With current enrollment of 46,000 students, NHMCCD has become one of the largest and fastest growing community college districts in Texas.
NHMCCD comprises Cy-Fair College, Kingwood College, Montgomery College, North Harris College, Tomball College, six satellite centers and The University Center. To learn more, visit www.nhmccd.edu.
###