KBOCC Nursing Program Earns ACEN Accreditation
October 1, 2026
KBOCC Nursing Program Earns ACEN Accreditation
Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College (KBOCC) is proud to announce that its Associate of Science in Nursing Program has earned accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), marking a significant milestone for the College, its students, and the communities it serves.
The ACEN Board of Commissioners granted the KBOCC Nursing Program initial accreditation following a comprehensive review process. The decision was made at the Board of Commissioners’ September 2026 meeting and was based on ACEN’s 2023 Standards and Criteria.
“This is an incredibly exciting moment for our Nursing Program, our students, and KBOCC,” said Paula Roth, KBOCC Nursing Department Chair. “Achieving ACEN accreditation represents years of hard work, planning, evaluation, and continuous improvement. Our faculty and staff have been deeply committed to building a nursing program that provides students with a high-quality education while preparing compassionate, knowledgeable, and culturally responsive nurses. I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished and grateful to everyone who helped us reach this milestone.”
KBOCC became a candidate for ACEN initial accreditation in December 2024 and hosted an ACEN accreditation site visit March 3–5, 2026. The accreditation process included an extensive self-study and evaluation of the Nursing Program, followed by an on-site review by ACEN peer evaluators and subsequent reviews through ACEN’s accreditation process. KBOCC’s initial accreditation is effective December 11, 2024, with the program’s next evaluation visit scheduled for Spring 2031.
KBOCC’s 73-credit Associate of Science in Nursing Program prepares graduates to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and enter the nursing profession. The program combines classroom instruction, laboratory learning, and clinical experiences with an emphasis on patient-centered, culturally sensitive, evidence-based, and holistic nursing care.
A distinctive component of KBOCC’s Nursing Program is its emphasis on Native American culture and preparing nurses to provide culturally responsive care to the individuals, families, and communities they serve. The program also provides an important pathway into the nursing profession for students in rural and Tribal communities while helping address healthcare workforce needs throughout the Upper Peninsula.
“We are truly excited that our Associate of Science in Nursing Program has achieved formal accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing,” said Melissa Kiesewetter, KBOCC President. “It is a huge accomplishment and another step in the KBOCC journey as we strengthen and enhance the programs available to our students. This accreditation also gives our local healthcare partners added confidence in our nursing program and in the nurses we are preparing right here in our community. It strengthens the partnerships we already have with area healthcare organizations and reinforces the important role KBOCC plays in preparing nurses who will live, work, and serve in our region."
The achievement represents the culmination of years of program development, curriculum design, assessment, faculty preparation, and collaboration with healthcare organizations and clinical partners throughout the region.
“While accreditation is an important recognition of the quality of our program, what makes this achievement most significant is its meaning for our students,” said Megan Haataja, KBOCC Dean of Academic Affairs. “Our students can earn their nursing degree close to home, surrounded by a community that is truly invested in their success. We are incredibly proud of our students and graduates and grateful for the Nursing faculty and staff who have worked so hard to build and strengthen this program. This achievement really belongs to all of them, along with the many people across KBOCC and our community who have supported the program along the way.”
KBOCC extends its appreciation to the nursing faculty and staff, students and graduates, clinical and community partners, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, KBOCC Board of Regents, and the many individuals who contributed to the accreditation process and the continued growth of the Nursing Program.
Accreditation Information
The Associate of Science in Nursing program at Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College at the Wabanung Campus in L’Anse is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
www.acenursing.org View the public information disclosed by ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website. For additional information about KBOCC’s Associate of Science in Nursing Program, including program requirements and the application process, visit www.kbocc.edu/nursing or contact:
Paula Roth
Nursing Department Chair
Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College
(906) 524-8304
proth@kbocc.edu
Nursing Department Chair
Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College
(906) 524-8304
proth@kbocc.edu
