BOSTON – On March 3, 2023, the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) announced the continuation of Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology’s full accreditation. This decision came after a comprehensive ten-year evaluation last fall and a final meeting on March 2.

As part of the evaluation process, a self-study spanning over 250 pages was required, which took thousands of hours to prepare ahead of the site visit from a team of evaluators from NECHE. The team visited the campus from October 30 to November 3, 2022, to meet with members of the administration, trustees, faculty, staff, student body, and alumni. The written summary of their experience and findings was overwhelmingly positive, lauding all of HCHC’s stakeholders as dedicated to the institution’s unique mission and ability “to develop leaders for the church, society, and the world through a Hellenistic, Orthodox Christian worldview.”

The summary acknowledged that “the school has made great strides toward stability after a period of crisis following several years of decline.” The summary praised HCHC President George M. Cantonis for having “assembled an impressive, capable, and reputable group of newly appointed senior leaders who have, alongside the President, devised a wide range of efficient and practical systems for running the institution in a manner that fulfills the expectations of 21st-century higher education.”

In sharing the summary with the HCHC community after the fall site visit, President Cantonis wrote, “I am extremely proud of the efforts of the staff, faculty, students, alumni, and trustees. Your talents in your daily work and during the intense period of preparing for our accreditation review are most valued. I am eternally grateful.”

Upon being informed of the final decision of NECHE after the March 2 meeting, President Cantonis said: “This is wonderful news, and I must stress again that this welcome outcome is the result of good, hard, selfless work by the entire community.”

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Chairman of HCHC’s Board of Trustees, said: “The news from NECHE regarding the accreditation of HCHC is fantastic. As we welcome this joyous announcement, I would like to also express the Archdiocese’s collective gratitude to the team of dedicated stewards who have worked tirelessly for the strengthening of our beloved Schole’s sacred mission of promoting Orthodoxy and Hellenism through education and spiritual formation: the President, trustees, vice presidents, deans, faculty, staff, students, and alumni.”

HCHC is to submit an interim (fifth-year) report for consideration in fall 2027. The next comprehensive evaluation will be scheduled for fall 2032.