Weimar Institute Granted Accreditation for Six Years

An Adventist institution known for its health evangelism and service achievements,  Weimar Institute, recently gained academic recognition through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) for a period of six years — retroactive to January 2018.

In addition to noting the “clearly articulated mission and vision of health evangelism,” the WSCUC evaluation team cited Weimar Institute’s campus community, assessment, and institutional research in its report.

Weimar’s Total Community Involvement (TCI) program, based on the world church’s Total Member Involvement initiative, was also recognized. This weekly service program builds sustained community relationships and meets community needs in a practical way.

In particular, the committee commended the TCI program for its “transformational impact” and noted that it is “rooted in the mission, tied to institutional student learning outcomes, and contributes to civic good in the region.”

While Institute leaders acknowledge the honor of this recognition, they also see significance for students. “This greatly benefits our students in terms of credit transferability and degree recognition,” notes Weimar Institute president Neil Nedley. “We additionally rejoice in what this means to our church, to us all as Adventist brothers and sisters in Christ,” he added. “Our world church’s uniquely Adventist legacy of health and service captured the attention of the WSCUC evaluation team and has been again affirmed as valuable to the world around us.”

Weimar Institute leaders are focused on future growth and expansion of facilities and services to current and prospective students. Plans include the completion of additional housing by August 2019, the addition of a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN) for the Fall 2019 semester, and ongoing preparations for a future wellness center. 

Weimar Institute is a self-supporting Seventh-day Adventist college located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada of northern California, United States. Since 1978, its vision has been to heal a hurting world — a goal shared by its students, faculty, and staff from almost 50 countries. Home to the NEWSTART Lifestyle Program, Weimar Institute also includes the Weimar Natural Foods Store, Weimar Academy, Weimar Elementary School, and Weimar Farms. These industries and organizations provide students with educational and work-study opportunities while positively impacting the local community, leaders said.