WS Chronicle

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which accredits colleges and universities in 11 Southern states, has deemed Salem Academy and College fully compliant on all requirements.

SACSCOC found Salem compliant with three of four pending requirements in early June 2019, but asked for an audited financial statement for the year ending June 30, 2019, before making its final determination this week. Salem remained fully accredited during the review process and is now fully compliant.

“We established goals and priorities that demonstrated our compliance and commitment to the accreditation process,” Salem Academy and College President Sandra J. Doran said. “I am sincerely grateful for the steadfast support of the Winston-Salem community and its leaders; the vision of our Board of Trustees; the commitment our alumnae; and the dedication of our faculty and staff. We have met our goals, trimmed our expenses, and rightsized the institution. 

“We developed a plan for financial improvement and a balanced budget, we achieved it, and we’re committed to financial stability,” Doran said. 

Doran is highly optimistic about the institution’s future. In addition to Salem College proving its sound financial footing, Doran said applications for next year’s first-year class have increased substantially, which, along with ongoing fundraising efforts, will ensure Salem’s continued positive financial standing.

“I am very grateful to the members of Salem’s internal community for their dedication during the last eighteen months and to those in the external community for their support of and commitment to Salem,” Board of Trustees Chair McDara P. Folan, III said. “I would like to express my thanks to my fellow trustees and to President Doran and her team for their tireless work and for her tremendous leadership on campus and throughout the community.”

“In particular, President Doran was key in our fundraising efforts, and she will continue to ensure Salem’s strong financial picture,” Folan said. “Under her leadership, Salem’s academic and women’s leadership initiatives have been strengthened, as evidenced by our impressive national rankings.” 

Both U.S. News & World Report and Washington Monthly have ranked Salem College fourth in the nation for social mobility, and in 2018, Washington Monthly named Salem a Top 25 Liberal Arts School. These rankings demonstrate the quality of Salem’s education, as well as its commitment to meeting the needs of all qualified students, regardless of income.

“We’re focused on the future and are continuing to build momentum at Salem,” Folan added. “You will hear our vision for Salem Academy and Salem College as we look forward to our 250th anniversary celebration in 2022.”

For more information about Salem Academy, please visit salemacademy.com. For more information about Salem College, please visit salem.edu.