The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) on Tuesday lifted the probation it imposed on Guilford College in 2023, affirming that the College’s accreditation is no longer in danger.

“This is the good news the entire Guilford College community has worked tirelessly this year to achieve,” said President Jean Parvin Bordewich. “We also are grateful for partners in the greater Greensboro area who will be crucial to Guilford’s continuing success.”

At a meeting in Nashville, Tenn., the SACSCOC Board of Trustees removed Guilford from probation after the College presented a strong case for compliance that included a balanced and audited FY25 budget and a balanced budget through five months of FY26.

SACSCOC sanctioned the College in December 2023 for non-compliance for weak financial processes and in December 2024 for inadequate financial resources as well. The College was given one year to come into compliance or lose accreditation.

“I am grateful to everyone who helped put our financial house in order,” said President Jean Bordewich. “That includes faculty and staff who sacrificed in many ways and alumni, parents and friends who contributed financially and by volunteering. This was a community project and it is a shared achievement.”

Over the past year, the College made significant improvements in financial management and operations, according to Bordewich. “We took difficult yet necessary steps to cut expenses, increase revenue, improve internal controls and enforce policies," she said. "Now we are on sound financial footing and well positioned to fulfill our mission.”

Bordewich added, "This has never been about the student experience in or out of the classroom, which has remained exceptional. This has been about finances, and SACSCOC has now affirmed that we have the financial resources to support Guilford's unique approach to a liberal arts education."

Since January, when the Board of Trustees brought in new leadership, the College has tightened its budget and staffing to fit the current size of the student body, reduced expenses by $12 million, and raised an unprecedented $11.3 million in unrestricted cash for the operating budget. Its “For the Good of Guilford” fundraising campaign earlier this year raised $6.02 million in six months, surpassing its $5 million goal. During the same period, the number of alumni donors doubled to more than 2,021 from 900 the previous year. The endowment is expected to exceed $84 million for fiscal year 2026, compared to $75.3 million for FY25.

“We are excited about what comes next,” said Bordewich. “I firmly believe that we will build on what is uniquely Guilford and create a national reputation for excellence in academics, ethical leadership, and social justice. And locally, I expect Guilford to anchor more offerings in culture, history and the arts and be a linchpin in environmental stewardship.”

Guilford has been accredited by SACSCOC since 1926. The College will be reviewed again by SACSCOC in 2028, as part of the regular ten-year reaffirmation cycle.