FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 2, 2026

FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Pierpont Community & Technical College has been reaffirmed as fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) following action by the HLC Board of Trustees on June 25, 2026. The decision affirms that the College meets the Commission’s accreditation standards and removes Pierpont from “Accredited On Notice” status, where it had been since June 2024.

“This is an important achievement for Pierpont,” said Dr. Michael Waide, President. “The Board’s action confirms the strength of the work that has taken place across our College. Every department contributed to this effort, and the result is a stronger institution, fully aligned with our mission and prepared for what comes next.”

Accreditation serves as an independent review of an institution’s quality, effectiveness, and ability to fulfill its mission. The Board’s action provides assurance to students and the communities Pierpont serves that the College continues to meet those expectations.

In its decision, the Commission found that Pierpont is no longer at risk of noncompliance with accreditation standards and meets all reviewed criteria without concern. The review cited improvements in governance, planning, student success efforts and the College’s use of data to guide decision-making. The Commission also noted stronger alignment between institutional planning and resource allocation.

Over the past two years, the College strengthened support for student success and improved the processes that guide planning, assessment and decision-making. Those efforts helped address the areas identified during the Commission’s previous review.

David Beighley, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, said the decision reflects the College’s commitment to continuous improvement in teaching, learning and academic quality.

“This recognition reflects a great deal of work by faculty and staff across the College,” Beighley said. “We’ve strengthened how we evaluate our programs and use what we learn to improve the educational experience. These efforts have created a more effective framework for maintaining excellence across our academic programs and help ensure our students are receiving the high-quality education they expect through Pierpont.”

Olivia Boltz, Director of Institutional Effectiveness, said the accreditation process helped establish stronger practices for measuring institutional effectiveness.

“A key outcome of this process was the development of more consistent assessment and reporting practices across the institution,” Boltz said. “Those tools give us a clearer understanding of where we’re succeeding and where work is needed and help ensure decisions are grounded in reliable information.”

Waide said the accreditation decision reflects the College’s commitment to continuous improvement.

“This reflects a shared commitment to our students and to one another,” Waide said. “Our employees, our Board of Governors and our leadership team remained focused on doing this work the right way. That commitment will continue to guide us moving forward.”

Waide added that the College will continue building on the progress made during the accreditation review.

“While we are proud of this milestone, our work continues,” Waide said. “Accreditation is a commitment to continuous improvement. We will carry this momentum forward with the same focus on serving our students and communities.”

Pierpont remains on the Higher Learning Commission’s Standard Pathway and is scheduled for its next comprehensive evaluation during the 2027–28 academic year. For more information about accreditation, visit www.hlcommission.org.

Pierpont Community & Technical College provides accessible, responsive, and high‑quality education to students and businesses across North Central West Virginia. With a strong focus on career readiness and workforce development, Pierpont offers academic programs and industry‑aligned training that create clear pathways to employment. Through this work, the college helps students discover their path while supporting the region’s economic and workforce needs.

Media Contact:
Pierpont Community and Technical College
Office of Marketing and Communications
communications@pierpont.edu