Urban
College of Boston Announces Accreditation
Marian
Wright Edelman, Children’s Defense Fund President and Founder,
to Deliver Keynote Address
Boston,
Mass., October 22, 2001 - The Urban College of Boston (UCB)
received accreditation earlier this month from the New England Association
of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). In granting the College academic
and institutional accreditation, NEASC noted that the College meets
or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality
periodically applied through a peer review process. Accreditation
from NEASC enables the College to expand and enhance college access
for low-income students. Also, as an accredited institution, the
college has opportunities to increase scholarship awards for many
of its financial aid students. The Urban College provides inner-city
residents who might otherwise never go to college with the opportunity
to achieve higher education credentials and skills tied to upwardly
mobile careers.
In
announcing this significant achievement, Dr. Lee J. Hines, Jr.,
President of the Urban College of Boston indicated that: “Accreditation
status places the College in an excellent position to continue to
provide access to quality education to UCB’s unique student
population.”
Hines
praised the Urban College of Boston’s administrators, trustees,
faculty and staff for their tireless dedication and substantial
work throughout a lengthy and rigorous accreditation process. He
indicated that accreditation would allow the College to continue
its special mission of providing student-centered programs and skill
development.
Dr. Hines, stated: “We are very grateful to Robert M. Coard,
Founding President of the Urban College of Boston and President/CEO
of Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD), Boston’s
official antipoverty agency. Bob Coard persevered against extreme
difficulties to create this institution that provides true opportunities
for low-income Boston residents to successfully attain higher education
credentials and move permanently out of poverty.”
The
Urban College of Boston is a private, two-year college and in 1993
was authorized by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education to
grant Associate Degrees in Early Childhood Education, General Studies
and Human Services Administration; as well as Certificate Programs
in Personal Computer Applications, Management, Early Childhood Education,
Human Services, General Studies and Direct Service Worker (Youth).
Courses are offered at the main campus in downtown Boston as well
as in several neighborhood locations. The Urban College is recognized
for its comprehensive academic, career-oriented and personal support
services that enhance student success in a rigorous curriculum.
The
mission of the Urban College is to provide higher education opportunities
to residents who are “under-served” by traditional colleges
within a supportive environment and a curriculum that emphasizes
career preparation and skill development. The student body reflects
the cultural and ethnic diversity of Boston’s urban neighborhood
locations. The Urban College designs and offers comprehensive, innovative
bilingual courses to low-income students in Spanish and Cantonese
as well as bilingual Early Childhood Education Certificates in Spanish.
The
Urban College of Boston particularly reaches out to non-traditional
students who understand the value of higher education and its importance
in their lives and the lives of their families. Currently, almost
800 students are enrolled at the Urban College. The majority of
Urban College students are working parents who juggle full-time
jobs, childcare and their studies. The college’s success stories
are numerous, with many graduates now holding significant positions
in government, business and community agencies.
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