The National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS) is set to celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2023. Founded by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York as the National Program on Noncollegiate Sponsored Instruction (National PONSI) in 1973, NCCRS has served more than 500 organizations across the United States and internationally, evaluating and recommending for college credit more than 5,200 courses, exams, and educational programs since our inception. Many special activities to commemorate the anniversary will be announced later this year and into 2023.

NCCRS recently welcomed a new member organization into the fold. Mosholu Montefiore Community Center (MMCC), based in the Bronx, New York, joins 76 other current member organizations. A vital community resource, the organization each year serves more than 35,000 preschoolers, school age children, teens, adults, and senior citizens in the Bronx and Manhattan through support, enrichment, education, and recreation programs, expanding their opportunities to live full, productive lives. MMCC recently participated in its first NCCRS evaluation and received a credit recommendation for its Key Strategies in Working With Youth course. “This is an amazing benefit for our staff, providing them a great opportunity to learn, apply, and utilize their knowledge toward higher education,” stated Mike Halpern, MMCC director of youth services.

Congratulations to the team at Simi Institute for Careers & Education (SICE) for recently earning credit recommendations for seven Surgical Technology and nine Allied Health courses. The organization, an NCCRS member since 2017 based in Simi Valley, California, also received a five-year extension of credit recommendations for 14 Respiratory Therapy courses. 

NCCRS assistant director Phil Kahn (top row, center) and course evaluators Lisa Reed of the New England Institute of Technology (top row, right), and Susan Gustafson of Elmira College (bottom row, right), review Surgical Technology courses with SICE team members Kristen Diaz (top row, left), Shayna Ledesma (bottom row, left), and Brenda Castro Lopez (bottom row, center).

Molloy College officially earned university status on June 1 from the New York State Board of Regents, allowing the institution to adopt the Molloy University moniker. "It’s the culmination of work officials have conducted for more than a decade," shared Molloy President James Lentini. "We’ve been a college. Now I want us to think like a university.”

Founded in 1955 by the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville, Molloy, most known for its strong nursing program, is a private institution with roughly 3,500 undergraduate and 1,500 graduate students.

Thomas Edison State University has been recognized by the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, and New Jersey Business Magazine for its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, receiving the third annual NJ Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award.

“Thomas Edison State University is honored to be acknowledged with other New Jersey organizations making an active commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said Thomas Edison State University President Merodie A. Hancock, PhD. “At TESU, we are stronger and smarter as we purposefully champion and embrace the diverse voices of our students, staff, and community."

Michele Forte, PhD, LMSW is grateful for the opportunities she's had over the years to teach and support learners, both near and far. A three-year veteran NCCRS evaluator, Michele, who is presently the online manager for student supports for the State University of New York (SUNY), and an associate professor of human services at SUNY Empire State College, says she is particularly proud of the myriad of ways in which the SUNY Online team was able to pivot and support students during the recent pandemic. "Countless hours were spent in service to lead and assist in maintaining the stability and success of our campuses in the provision of online and remote academic and student supports during this most chaotic and uncertain time," says Michele.

She is pleased to be able to take what she learned over the past few years, coupled with her decade of involvement in online learning, and impart that wisdom and provide guidance to NCCRS organizations that have faced similar challenges. "I have taught many courses in an online format, so I am aware of the opportunities and challenges it presents as an instructor. Over those years I have been focused on student supports for online students and have gained an overview of the field in this area," states Michele.

“Being an NCCRS evaluator has helped me understand how different educational providers seek to develop and assess integral knowledge, skills, and abilities which are the foundations of all learning activity," says Michele. "This diversity of viewpoints and approaches to the development and progression of the learner has not only helped guide the organizations we serve, but situate my own approach to teaching and supporting students in all sorts of learning environments.”

Is college always the right choice? How are other education-to-career options perceived? Click below to watch Jean Eddy, Maria Flynn, Roberto Rodriguez, and Liz Willen as they discuss topline research findings on perceptions of high-quality, non-degree paths with Morning Consult's Rahul Choudaha in this videotaped panel discussion from the recent South by Southwest® (SXSW®) EDU Conference. The panel explores the evolving narrative around postsecondary paths, how to ensure the quality and efficacy of these options, how to help students and families navigate them, and the role of employers in advancing equitable access to opportunity for learners and workers.