North Idaho College has exactly one year left to return to good standing with its accreditor, or it will lose accreditation under federal rules. A final campus visit in October 2024 could be the college’s last chance to demonstrate progress.

NWCCU President Sonny Ramaswamy acknowledged that ‘progress has been made, no doubt about it,’ but stated that ‘the only aspect that continues to remain a challenge is the governance.’ The college’s academics and finances remain strong. The crisis is entirely about board dysfunction.

The most persistent unresolved issue is that the college had simultaneously employed two presidents since December 2022. Board Chairman Mike Waggoner announced in January 2024 that NIC would not renew interim president Greg South’s contract when it expires June 30.

Federal regulations require accreditation sanctions for two-year colleges to be resolved within three years. NIC was first sanctioned April 1, 2022. The deadline is April 2025. The accreditor’s commission will review a final report in January 2025.