April 14, 2021
Morris Brown College Now a Full Candidate for Accreditation After Losing It 20 Years Ago
Late last year, Dr. Kevin James, president of Morris Brown College (MBC), announced that its accreditation application with the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) had been approved. Now, its official: MBC has received accreditation candidacy from TRACS, after nearly 20 years of trying to get its accreditation back for the 140-year-old college.
“We are elated about accreditation candidacy and making history,” MBC President Kevin James said in a written statement. “I want to thank all the faculty and staff for their hard work. We intend on making history as the first HBCU to regain its status after a 20-year hiatus and the first HBCU to have a flagged hotel on its campus for a hospitality education program. These achievements have sparked other closed HBCUs to try again. Without the resilience, support, and prayers from the Board of Trustees, African Methodist Episcopal church, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community, we would not be here. We have so many amazing projects coming up in the pipeline that will prepare our students for academic success and jobs. We ask the community to continue to support our mission by donating to the college. Additionally, we are seeking a seven-figure gift from an individual or corporation to move the institution forward. It is a new day for Morris Brown College!”
In December 2002, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) revoked Morris Brown’s accreditation because of debt and financial mismanagement. The act barred students from applying for federal financial aid. In regaining accreditation candidacy, Morris Brown will be eligible to apply to the U.S Department of Education to participate in financial aid programs and Title IV funding.
“We’ve made tremendous progress within the past two years under Dr. Kevin James’ leadership,” said Reginald T. Jackson, the school’s chairman of the board of trustees and bishop of the 6th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. “The funds raised at Homecoming 2020 and Founder’s Day 2021 marked the largest Homecoming and Founder’s Day fundraising events, respectively, in the past 20 years. Overall, giving is up and the momentum under this administration is like none we have seen in recent history. The revitalization of the institution’s academic programs and student services, including new programs such as Global Management & Applied Leadership, E-Sports Performance, and Hospitality Management, will place the next generation of students as global competitors.”