CANTON -- SUNY Canton received praise recently as it completed a two-year long self-study and peer review process resulting in the college's reaccreditation.

The reaccreditation report from Middle States peer reviewers included commendations for many recent educational accomplishments at the college.

"I am extremely proud of the efforts the entire SUNY Canton community put into the college's reaccreditation," said SUNY Canton Acting President Joseph C. Hoffman. "The process and the Middle States report demonstrates how strong the college is, and highlights the quality of the education and services we provide to our students."

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education recently completed its ten-year review of the college, with the peer review report summarizing how SUNY Canton meets its goals. The college aims to provide a progression of accessible, affordable, high-quality applied programs that enable students in the North Country, New York State and beyond to achieve their highest potential both personally and professionally.

"More than 100 faculty, staff and students were involved in the multi-year process that led to our successful reaccreditation," said Jondavid S. DeLong, dean of the school of business and liberal arts and the self-study steering committee chair. "The college met or exceeded all 14 characteristics of excellence in higher education established by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education for institutional reaccreditation."

Among the departments praised by the Middle States peer evaluation team was Student Affairs, which was noted for maintaining a high level of student service and promoting significant student engagement.

Included in the division is the Southworth Library Learning Commons, which houses Information Services and the majority of the college's tutoring services. The library was lauded for offering extensive and innovative services that support and enhance educational offerings and academic programming.

The team of reviewers commended the development of credit and non-credit programs directly tied to community needs. The Middle States reviewers also praised the college's signature summer and winter sessions, which have experienced growth in recent years by switching to a primarily online format.

The college received commendation for the creative financing that allowed the Alumni Association and the SUNY Canton College Foundation to construct the Grasse River Suites Residence Hall. It was also lauded for creating an institutional scorecard, which ties together the goals, plans, objectives and budgets of each college department.