Congrats to GIA’s New York Campus - Earned ACCSC's ‘School of Excellence’ Award

Press Release via GIA

GIA’s New York Campus Bestowed ‘School of Excellence’ Award

Institute receives ACCSC’s highest honor

GIA’s (Gemological Institute of America) New York campus will be recognized with the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) School of Excellence Award for 2013-2014, the organization’s highest honor, during a special reception on Sept. 17.

“The ACCSC examines student achievement based on graduation and employment rates, and this honor is truly a testament to the passion and drive of our students and instructors,” said Susan Jacques, GIA’s president and CEO. “We’re proud that when our graduates enter the workforce, they will help advance GIA’s mission to ensure the public trust.”

The ACCSC School of Excellence Award recognizes schools for their commitment to the expectations and rigors of ACCSC accreditation, as well as efforts in helping their students maintain high levels of achievement. In order to be eligible for the award, a school must successfully complete the renewal of accreditation process, satisfy all requirements necessary to be in good standing with the Commission and demonstrate that a majority of the graduation and employment rates from all programs offered meet or exceed the average rates of graduation and employment among all ACCSC-accredited institutions.

“ACCSC congratulates GIA’s New York campus on their commitment to delivering quality educational programs to the students, graduates and employers that deserve our best work,” said Christopher Lambert, ACCSC’s associate executive director.

GIA is a nonprofit, private, postsecondary educational institute incorporated for the purpose of promoting education and research in gemology, jewelry manufacturing arts and related subjects.  A comprehensive GIA education is regarded as the pinnacle of training and professional development in gems and jewelry. GIA’s New York campus is located at the International Gem Tower in the heart of the Diamond District, where students enjoy access to industry leaders and a world-class learning environment. 

GIA will be recognized as a 2014 School of Excellence at the eighth annual ACCSC Professional Development Conference on September 17-19, 2014 at The Westin Denver Downtown in Denver, Colo.

GIA’s campus in Carlsbad, Calif. was awarded the School of Excellence Award in 2012.

For more information about GIA, visit www.gia.edu. For press inquiries, please contact Kristin Mahan atkristin.mahan@gia.edu or 760-603-4184.

About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight in the early 1950s and in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world.

Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. Visit www.gia.edu. 

About ACCSC

Since 1965, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) has been committed to establishing and advancing quality education at postsecondary career schools and colleges. ACCSC scope of recognition includes the accreditation of non-degree granting institutions and degree granting institutions that offer career, technical, and vocational training programs at the postsecondary level.  ACCSC is dedicated to ensuring a quality education for more than 200,000 students who annually pursue career education at over 720 accredited institutions across the United States, Puerto Rico, and abroad.

ACCSC has been continuously recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a reliable authority for the quality education since 1967.  In 2011, ACCSC’s recognition was renewed for five years, the maximum timeframe allowed under current federal regulations.

ACCSC’s scope of recognition with the U.S. Department of Education includes the accreditation of postsecondary, non-degree-granting institutions and degree-granting institutions, including those granting associate, baccalaureate and master’s degrees, that are predominantly organized to educate students for occupational, trade and technical careers, and including institutions that offer programs via distance education. Visit www.accsc.org.