North Idaho College is accredited and has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) since 1947. North Idaho College underwent several an accreditation status reviews with its institutional accrediting body, the NWCCU from 2021 to 2026. These reviews were due to concerns related to non-compliance with several accreditation and eligibility requirements and standards.
The college maintained its accreditation throughout the review and worked back to good standing effective Feb. 9, 2026.
Below is an archive of communications from NIC during this period.
2026
January 26, 2026 – JRCERT’s January 26 Probation Extension Notification to NIC
NIC’s Radiography Technology program received a continuation of its probation sanction from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) on January 26, 2026. This action was taken prior to the NWCCU Commission meeting held on January 28.
Oct. 29, 2025 - NWCCU Midcycle and Special Evaluation Report
North Idaho College received the final Midcycle and Special Evaluation Report from its accrediting organization on Oct. 29, 2025. The report has been forwarded to the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), which will review it in January to decide whether the college will remain under sanction or be restored to good standing.
PLEASE NOTE, the first 11 pages of the report comprise the mid-cycle review under the title of Mission Fulfillment. That portion is primarily guidance for the college’s preparation of the next regularly scheduled report in 2027. The critical components of the report detailing progress on ongoing governance questions starts on page 12.
Last year, the NWCCU concluded there were five remaining governance issues. Of those, the college was in compliance on two, but needed some additional improvement. This report notes the work done by trustees and the administration to restore practices of good governance to the college, but the final decision rests with the NWCCU, which is anticipated to render a decision by March 2, 2026.
NWCCU Midcycle and Special Evaluation Report
Aug. 29, 2025 - NIC Midcycle Report
North Idaho College submitted its Mid-Cycle and Special Evaluation Report to the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, outlining progress on current recommendations.
Feb. 24, 2025 – NWCCU letter to NIC re: official record of action at the January 2025 NWCCU meeting
North Idaho College received a copy of the NWCCU formal notification and official record of action from its Jan. 28 - 31, 2025 meeting concerning the Fall 2024 Special Report of North Idaho College.
NWCCU letter to NIC re: official record of action at the January 2025 NWCCU meeting
Oct. 31, 2024 - NIC receives accreditation report 
North Idaho College received on Thursday, Oct. 31 the final Ad-Hoc/Special Evaluation report prepared by a team working for the college’s accrediting organization. This report serves as information for the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, which will decide in January whether NIC remains on Show Cause accreditation status or improves to a lesser sanction.
Federal regulations require that the college resolve all remaining accreditation issues by April 2025. All the currently remaining issues deal with board governance.
Aug. 30, 2024 - NIC Aug. 30 Special Report to NWCCU
North Idaho College submitted its response to the March 1 action letter received from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
North Idaho College Special Report 2024
March 1, 2024 - NIC receives NWCCU notification and official record of action
North Idaho College received a copy of the NWCCU formal notification and official record of action from its Jan. 30 – Feb. 2, 2024 meeting concerning the Fall 2023 Special Report of North Idaho College.
Nov. 22, 2023 - NIC receives NWCCU Fall 2023 peer-evaluation report
North Idaho College received a copy of the NWCCU Fall 2023 peer-evaluation report that will be reviewed by the NWCCU Board of Commissioners at its Jan. 30 through Feb. 2 meeting.
Sept. 15, 2023 - NIC submits Fall 2023 Special Report to NWCCU
NIC sent a report to NWCCU regarding recommendations in its July 7 action letter.
July 7, 2023 - NWCCU's Extension Letter
North Idaho College received the accreditation decision from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
The college's show cause sanction has been continued. NIC remains accredited.
July 7, 2023 - NWCCU's Extension Letter
June 20, 2023 - JRCERT's June 20 Probation Notification to NIC
NIC’s Radiography Technology program received a probation sanction from its programmatic accreditor, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), as the result of the NIC’s institutional accreditation review with the college’s institutional accreditor, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). JRCERT discussed the program’s accreditation status during a June 13 meeting after conducting an unannounced site visit to NIC Feb. 27-28. The college received notification of the program’s probation status June 20.
JRCERT’s June 20 probation notification to NIC
June 16, 2023 - ACCT letter to NWCCU re: board training update
Consultants with the Association of Community College Trustees have shared correspondence they’ve sent to the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) regarding their work with the NIC Board of Trustees on board development and training.
ACCT consultants Ken Burke and Debbie DiThomas sent the NWCCU a June 16 letter updating the accrediting commission on progress the board has made in 11 areas, as well as five areas of concern. Burke and DiThomas also shared a previous update they sent on March 27 to the NWCCU for public release.
ACCT June 16 letter to NWCCU re: board training update
ACCT March 27 letter to NWCCU re: board training update
May 30, 2023 - NIC Response Regarding Peer Evaluation Team Visit and Report
North Idaho College submitted its last official report to its accrediting body, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), in advance of the college’s June 23 hearing regarding its accreditation status. NIC’s May 30 report is the college’s response to a May 17 site visit report submitted by a peer evaluation team from the NWCCU regarding the college’s show cause review. The peer evaluation team visited the NIC campus April 26-27 to confirm information in NIC’s March 30 show cause response.
The May 30 report details improvements made by the college and the NIC Board of Trustees toward compliance with NWCCU Eligibility Requirements and Standards in recent months, as well as the college’s concerns about “ambiguous ‘potential inaccuracies’” noted by the peer evaluation team in their site visit report. Trustee Greg McKenzie provided an appendix titled “Input from the Board Chair” that was submitted to the NWCCU in addition to the college’s report.
NIC May 30 response regarding peer evaluation team visit and report
NIC May 30 Appendix: Input from the Board Chair
May, 18, 2023 – Nursing accrediting body continues NIC Nursing’s programmatic accreditation
North Idaho College's Nursing program has been granted continued accreditation from its programmatic accreditor, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
The ACEN notified the college of continued accreditation in a May 5 letter, and the commission commended the NIC Nursing program on graduates' pass rate in the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), a nationwide exam for the licensing of nurses in the U.S., Canada and Australia.
May 17, 2023 - NWCCU Peer-Evaluation Report
NIC received the final Peer-Evaluation Report on May 17 from the peer team representing the NWCCU, who conducted a site visit, April 26-27. Receipt of the report is the next step in NIC’s accreditation review process. Next month, the NWCCU will deliberate at their June 20-23 meeting. A team of NIC leadership will have the opportunity to attend and meet with the commission to discuss not only the Peer-Evaluation Report but other progress NIC and the Board of Trustees are making to address issues raised in the Show-Cause report.
NWCCU May 17 Peer-Evaluation Report
May 5, 2023 - ACEN letter to NIC re: programmatic accreditation continued for NIC Nursing program
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) continued the programmatic accreditation of the NIC Nursing program after a regular eight-year cycle review. In a May 5 letter, the ACEN notified the college of continued programmatic accreditation through 2030; however, if the college’s institutional accreditation through the NWCCU is withdrawn, the NIC Nursing program would be ineligible for programmatic accreditation through the ACEN.
ACEN May 5 letter to NIC re:programmatic accreditation continued for NIC Nursing
April 24, 2023 - NWCCU statement on peer evaluation site visit
The NWCCU released a statement regarding the April 26-27 onsite visit by a peer evaluation team. The statement includes general information about the visit, as well as information about the next steps in the review process (peer evaluation team report; deliberation by the NWCCU at their June 20-23 meeting; notice to NIC of the NWCCU's decision by late July).
NWCCU April 24 statement on peer evaluation visitNWCCU April 24 statement on peer evaluation visit
March 30, 2023 - NIC response to the NWCCU’s show cause sanction
North Idaho College submitted a response to the NWCCU’s show cause sanction on Thursday, March 30. The college’s response addresses eight areas of risk identified by the NWCCU in its Feb. 9 show cause sanction. NIC was required to include an overarching teach-out plan – not a formal teach-out agreement – with its show cause response. NIC's teach-out plan was submitted as a separate document with the show cause response but has not been made public as it contains student information protected under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Read NIC’s response below:
NIC March 30 response to the NWCCU’s show cause sanction
March 14, 2023 - JRCERT report to NIC
The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) conducted an unannounced site visit to NIC Feb. 27-28, 2023. The JRCERT policies and procedures required the unannounced visit after the issuance of the show cause sanction by NWCCU. On March 14, JCERT issued NIC a report of that visit.
February 28, 2023 - NIC ad hoc report to NWCCU
Interim President Greg South provided an ad hoc report to the NWCCU following the NIC Board of Trustees’ Feb 22 meeting. The letter provides an update on board development. The letter and report can be viewed in full below:
NIC February 28 ad hoc report to NWCCU
February 16, 2023 - The NWCCU sent NIC a letter to reschedule upcoming dates
The NWCCU sent NIC a letter February 16 to reschedule upcoming dates. The date for NIC to submit its response to the show cause letter is now March 31, and the NWCCU’s on-site visit has been rescheduled to April 26 and 27.
NWCCU February 16 Letter to NIC
February 9, 2023 - The NWCCU sent a letter to North Idaho College
The NWCCU sent a letter to North Idaho College at the end of the day on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023 at 4:42 p.m. This letter recognizes that the NWCCU reviewed the college’s response letter sent in early January and the Commission’s continued watch of recent actions of the NIC Board of Trustees.
The letter issues NIC a Sanction of Show Cause and requires the college to submit a Show Cause Report, due March 13, 2023.
NWCCU February 9 Letter to NIC
(The NWCCU changed the due date for NIC's show cause response to March 31, 2023.)
Feb. 2 and 8, 2023 - Interim President Greg South sent the NWCCU two letters in early February
Interim President Greg South sent the NWCCU two letters in early February updating the commission on recent opportunities in which the NIC Board of Trustees participated in constructive, meaningful training in an effort to fulfill its governance responsibilities outlined by the NWCCU Standards and Eligibility Requirements. The letters can be viewed below:
January 4, 2023 - North Idaho College response NWCCU concerns re: December BOT actions
North Idaho College responded to the NWCCU’s letter from Dec. 17 in a report dated Jan. 4.
The report included recommendations to the NIC Board of Trustees from college administrators to address the NWCCU’s concerns.
NIC’s response also asked for the opportunity to host a site visit before the NWCCU considers any decision about the college’s accreditation status.
The Jan. 4 letter was amended Jan. 12 by the college due to a meeting date error.
December 17, 2022 - NWCCU letter to NIC re: December BOT action concerns
The NWCCU Executive Committee met on Dec. 16 to discuss recent actions of NIC’s Board of Trustees while the college was under a sanction of warning.
The NWCCU sent NIC a letter on Dec. 17 regarding the executive committee’s concern that recent actions “appear to place the institution at significant risk of being out of compliance with a number of NWCCU Eligibility Requirements and Standards.”
The letter also required NIC to submit a response by Jan. 4.
April 25, 2022 - BOE release re: NIC trustee appointments
In the spirit of transparency regarding the process for the Idaho State Board of Education to appoint trustees for Zones, 1, 2 and 5, NIC Interim President Michael Sebaaly shared the SBOE’s release of candidate names, as well as interview and selection information.
SBOE April 25 release re: candidates for NIC trustees and appointment process
April 20, 2022 - SBOE message to regional high school counselors
The Idaho State Board of Education released a message to Region 1 high school counselors and advisors on April 20 regarding NIC’s accreditation status and review.
The release confirmed that the NWCCU’s warning sanction does not impact NIC’s ability to grant legitimate and valid credits, certificates and degrees.
SBOE Message to Region 1 Counselors and Advisors
April 1, 2022 - NWCCU letter of warning to NIC
The NWCCU gave NIC an official warning with an action letter on April 1. The letter notifies NIC of several areas of non-compliance, particularly in governance and institutional integrity, and gave recommendations and requirements for the college to meet during a monitoring period.
NWCCU April 1 action letter of warning to NIC
March 12, 2022 - NIC response to NWCCU’s special evaluation visit report
NIC responded to the NWCCU’s external peer panel’s special evaluation visit report that responded to six areas of concerns related to the college’s compliance with NWCCU Eligibility Requirements and Standards.
The college’s response emphasizes that “operations at NIC continue to thrive through ongoing governance concerns.”
NIC March 12 response to NWCCU’s special evaluation visit report
March 2, 2022 - NWCCU letter re: panel visit report, upcoming special meeting
On March 2, the NWCCU notified NIC of an external peer panel’s report of their virtual visit to the college on Jan. 18 and required the college to submit a response by March 12.
The letter also notified the college of the NWCCU’s plans to hold a virtual special meeting that would include a Q&A session with NIC representatives.
NWCCU March 2 letter re: panel visit report, upcoming special meeting
January 18, 2022 - NWCCU external peer panel’s special evaluation visit
An external peer panel of experts in higher education virtually visited NIC to review the college’s compliance with NWCCU’s Eligibility Requirements and Standards.
December 3, 2021 - SBOE letter to NIC Board of Trustees re: accreditation review
The Idaho State Board of Education notified the NIC Board of Trustees of “deep concern about the trajectory of NIC” after the NWCCU’s receipt of complaints and an exodus of top-level college leadership.
The SBOE encouraged NIC to complete an accreditation response action plan and discussed the potential impacts of losing accreditation.
SBOE Dec. 3 letter to NIC Board of Trustees re: accreditation review
December 1, 2021 - NWCCU letter to NIC re: accreditation review, site visit
The NWCCU appointed a panel of experts to review the college’s accreditation status and notified NIC of a site visit requirement for the panel to review NIC’s compliance with Eligibility Requirements and Standards. The letter asked for NIC to arrange the site visit in January 2022.
NWCCU Dec. 1 letter to NIC re: accreditation review, site visit
November 1, 2021 - NWCCU letter to NIC re: second complaint
In a Nov. 1 letter to the college, the NWCCU notified the college of a second complaint from regional human rights tasks forces concerning college leadership after the NIC Board of Trustees terminated NIC President Rick MacLennan without cause in late August and appointed Michael Sebaaly as interim president in October.
The complaint was filed by the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations and human rights task forces from Spokane County, Bonner County and Boundary County.
NWCCU Nov. 1 letter to NIC re: second complaint
July 19, 2021 - NWCCU response to NIC’s address of complaint
The NWCCU accepted NIC’s response to the complaint filed against the college by regional human rights task forces and required the college to submit an ad hoc report regarding its governing board in addition to its 2022 Annual Report by August 1, 2022.
NWCCU July 19 response to NIC’s address of complaint
June 10, 2021 - NIC response to NWCCU re: inquiry, complaint
In a June 10 report, NIC responded to the NWCCU’s inquiry about a complaint filed by regional human rights tasks force regarding the college’s compliance with accreditation eligibility requirements and standards.
The college’s response addressed complaints regarding three specific eligibility requirements – non-discrimination, governance and academic freedom – and provided evidence to show “that from an operational standpoint, NIC meets or exceeds the standards affiliated with the three aforementioned eligibility requirements.”
NIC June 10 response to NWCCU re: inquiry, complaint
May 26, 2021 - NIC Board of Trustees statement re: accreditation inquiry response
Members of the NIC Board of Trustees – Todd Banducci, Michael Barnes, Ken Howard, Greg McKenzie and Christie Wood – each signed and jointly submitted a statement to the NWCCU regarding concerns about non-discrimination, governance and academic freedom after their May 26 meeting.
The statement addressed board authority and delegation to the president; board training; reinstatement of a board conduct policy; consideration of the views of constituent groups; and board leadership.
NIC Board of Trustees May 26 statement re: accreditation inquiry response
April 26, 2021 - NWCCU letter to NIC re: complaint
The NWCCU sent NIC notification of their receipt of the formal complaint from regional human rights task forces regarding the college, the NIC Board of Trustees and alleged violations of NWCCU Eligibility Requirements and Standards for accreditation.
The NWCCU’s letter required an institutional response to three Eligibility Requirements – non-discrimination, governance and academic freedom – by June 10.
NWCCU April 26 letter to NIC re: complaint
March 12, 2021 - Human rights task forces complaint to NWCCU re: NIC
The Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations sent a letter to the NWCCU and the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Justice Department with an official complaint of civil right and liberties violations at NIC.
The complaint was also signed by human rights task forces from Spokane County, Bonner County and Boundary County. It outlined concerns regarding board governance and individual trustee actions from September 2020 to February 2021.
Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations March 12 complaint
NIC Exhibits - March 18, 2021