(November 17, 2008) Graph Expo 2008, Chicago: After completing an extensive program self-study and hosting a campus visit by the ACCGC Site Visitation Team of industry and education experts, the Graphic Communications programs at Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL received national ACCGC re-accreditation status in September 2008. The FAMU Division of Graphic Communi-cation includes two program majors – Graphic Design and Graphic Communication Technology.

A three-member site visitation team represented the 19-member ACCGC Board of Directors. Dr. Penny K. Bennett, Associate Professor, Graphic Communication Department, California Poly-technic State University, served as chair of the team. The two additional team members were Mr. Patrick Klarecki, Professor and Chair, Printing and Imaging Technology Management Depart-ment, Ferris State University (MI), and Mr. Larry C. Warter, Director, New Business Develop-ment, Fuji Graphic Systems Inc., Hanover Park, IL.

The Florida A&M University graphic communications programs were initially ACCGC accred-ited beginning September 1, 2002. At that time, a thorough review of their programs in graphic communications was evaluated against the 14 ACCGC accreditation standards. These detailed 14 standards include: mission statements and curricular outcomes; competency identification and assessment; governance/administration; financial support; equipment and facilities; staff support services; curriculum; instruction and evaluation; internships/practicums/cooperative study; in-dustry advisory committee(s); faculty: tenure/tenure track, adjunct, and graduate teaching assis-tants; faculty evaluation; student records and advising; and graduate placement and follow-up.

Team chair, Dr. Penny K. Bennett, stated that the "Florida A&M University Division of Graphic Communication has a solid program that provides essential training of future employees for the graphic communications industry. In the interest of continuous improvement, recommendations were made by the site visitation team that will allow the program to keep moving in a forward direction. Dr. Mukes should be commended for his leadership of this program through the ac-creditation process."

The Accrediting Council for Collegiate Graphic Communications, Inc. (ACCGC) was formed in 1998 and is now incorporated as an IRS recognized non-profit 501 (c) (3) publicly supported or-ganization. The overall mission of ACCGC is the improvement of collegiate graphic communi-cations technology and management education through an accreditation program that includes 14 measurable standards. The 19-member Board of Directors includes eleven collegiate educators and eight graphic communications management personnel.

To date, five-baccalaureate graphic communications program have been granted ACCGC ac-creditation. They are: Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI; Florida A&M University, Talla-hassee, FL; California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA; Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, PA; and California University of Pennsylvania, California, PA. Administrators of three additional graphic communications baccalaureate degree programs – New York City College of Technology, University of Houston, and University of Wisconsin-Stout - have made formal applications and site visitation teams will conduct campus visits in the near future. Additional applications for accreditation reviews are in process.

During the October 26, 2008 annual Board of Directors meeting in Chicago during Graph Expo, the Board members approved a revised Bylaws and Accreditation Manual that includes accredi-tation expansion to Associate Degree Graphic Communications Technology and Management programs. From this point forward, much effort will be placed into achieving ACCGC accredita-tion reviews for both associate and baccalaureate degree programs.

For additional information about ACCGC, please visit the ACCGC website at www.gitasu.com/accgc/.