ATLANTA — Morris Brown College has been approved as an institute of higher learning from the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Dr. Kevin James, the interim president of the institution, described this as "a gigantic first step in our road to full accreditation."
According to the press release GNPEC "authorizes and regulates the operations of in-state nonpublic and out-of-state postsecondary colleges and schools operating or offering instruction in Georgia."
The school lost its accreditation in 2012, meaning students weren't able to receive federal aid and then went bankrupt. Two years later, the city and Friendship Baptist Church bought it. James said now they have the momentum they need to keep pushing.
“We are on a positive path to resurrecting this historic black college back to prominence and creating an environment in which students will receive an education that is held in high regard. We are now in search of significant donors to pour into our institution now that we have this momentum.”
The 6th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, which founded the college, also rejoiced at the news.
"I am extremely pleased with the process we have gone through and that GNPEC has recognized that we are on solid ground as an institute of higher learning," said Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, chairman of the Board of Trustees, and bishop of the 6th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
"Dr. James, the Board and the administration are commended for navigating our school through this challenging process. Dr. James has provided bold leadership to address problems at Morris Brown College."
The school announced in March of 2019 that it was working to rebuild the brand and receive accreditation. They submitted the initial inquiry to seek accreditation through the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools as a correspondence school, which means the college has been officially approved to start the process to become accredited, according to the release.
This recent accomplishment has been six months in the making.
MORE MORRIS BROWN STORIES: