The Accrediting Council for Collegiate Graphic Communications (accgc.org) has granted reaccreditation to the Graphic Arts Design Technology degree program at Harper College, Palatine, Illinois, commencing on September 1, 2025. The program has been continuously accredited since 2012.

Students enrolled in the Associate of Applied Science in Graphic Art Design Technology degree program at Harper College specialize in graphic design, package design, print graphics and web design. In contrast to other associate degree programs in the State of Illinois that provide graphic design degrees, Harper College stands alone as the only institution offering a program that integrates practical learning experiences with real-world print production equipment, including state-of-the-art offset and digital presses. The program is further enhanced by the presence of a substantial and engaged graphic arts industry advisory committee.

The ACCGC accreditation ensures that the program adheres to 14 quality standards and employs a system of quality measurement and improvement. The accreditation process involves the program’s faculty and administration in an in-depth self-assessment. To assess compliance with standards, an external team of academic and industry representatives visits the campus with oversight by the board of directors. This peer assessment is designed to assure public and private entities of academic quality and student readiness for careers in the graphic communications industry.

The ACCGC is an independent organization governed by a board of directors composed of members from the collegiate and graphic communications industry, including:

  • Monika Alters, Instructional Professor of Digital Media, University of Houston
  • Dianne Bullas, Operations Director, Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation
  • Celeste Calkins, Ph.D., Assistant Processor of Graphic Communications Technology, Illinois State University
  • Teresa Campbell, President, PIA MidAmerica
  • Lee Geisinger, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Graphic Technology, University of Northern Iowa
  • George Glisan, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Graphic Communications Management, Appalachian State University
  • Phil Kelley, President and CEO, Salem One, Inc.
  • Natalia Lumby, Associate Professor and Chair of Graphic Communications, Toronto Metropolitan University
  • Jamie Mandarino, National Sales Director, MITTERA
  • George Mixco, Chief Operations Officer, Aleyant
  • Bill Pope, Professor of Practice, Print and Graphic Media Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology
  • Laurie Ralston, Ed.D., Professor Emeritus, Graphic Information Technology, Arizona State University
  • Xiaoying Rong, Professor of Graphic Communication, California Polytechnic State University
  • Joe Schickel, Professor of Digital Media Technology, Pennsylvania Western University
  • Julie Shaffer, Vice President, Program Development, Association for PRINT Technologies
  • Michael Shannon, Chief Revenue Officer, Printron
  • Michael Vares, Director of Development & Print(ED), Print & Graphic Communications Association
  • Erica Walker, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Graphic Communications, Clemson University
  • Doug Younger, Ed.D., Professor of Graphic Communications, Pittsburg State University

For further inquiries regarding ACCGC accreditation, please contact Dan Wilson, ACCGC Managing Director at: [email protected]