STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Tarleton State University President Dr. James Hurley has been elected to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Board of Trustees.

SACSCOC is the accrediting body for degree-granting higher education institutions in the southern United States. Accreditation signifies that Tarleton State has the programs, resources, and services to sustain its mission to transform generations by inspiring discovery, leadership, and inclusion through educational excellence.

“I am honored and grateful to have been nominated and selected to serve on such an impactful and meaningful board,” Dr. Hurley said. “Accreditation matters and enhancing the value and perception of a Tarleton State degree is important. I look forward to contributing my experience and dedication to advancing the mission of excellence in higher education accreditation.”

SACSCOC includes institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Latin America and certain other international sites approved by its Board of Trustees that award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degrees. The College Delegate Assembly is made up of one voting representative from each accredited institution and elects 77 members to the board.

Tarleton State received its most recent 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation in 2021with excellence. SACSCOC first accredited Tarleton in 1926. 

A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.