Gillette College achieves accreditation 'candidacy status,' considers pursuing early accreditation
GILLETTE (WNE) — Last Thursday, Gillette College achieved its most significant step toward accreditation so far.
The Higher Learning Commission’s board of trustees, which is responsible for approving institutional accreditation, granted the college “candidacy status.”
“This achievement reflects the dedication and hard work of our staff, students and community partners,” college president Janell Oberlander wrote in a press release. “Earning candidacy affirms that Gillette College has the structure, governance and academic quality necessary to advance toward full accreditation.”
Candidacy status is a four-year process, HLC President Barbara Gellman-Danley wrote to the college, in which Gillette College must demonstrate “reasonable progress” toward accreditation.
The HLC will examine the college’s accreditation progress during a biennial evaluation which is scheduled for the 2027-28 academic year, according to the letter.
Full accreditation will be considered no later than fall 2029, the letter continued, before a final board vote during the HLC board’s June 2030 meeting.
Candidacy brings the college to a crossroads, according to its roadmap to accreditation.
The Gillette College board can decide to apply for early accreditation which the college is “exploring,” according to the press release.
This story was published on July 6, 2026.
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