History, Statement of Values and Accreditation

Wake Tech is a tax-supported, public, nonprofit educational institution under the control of a Board of Trustees. It is part of the North Carolina Community College System and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Authority for the establishment of the college is found in Chapter 115D of the General Statutes of North Carolina.

The college was chartered on April 3, 1958, as the Wake County Industrial Education Center. Operation actually began October 7, 1963, with 34 curriculum students on campus and 270 enrolled in the various industrial training programs.

On January 8, 1964, the center was formally dedicated as W.W. Holding Industrial Education Center and transferred from the Wake County Board of Education to a Board of Trustees. On March 3, 1966, W.W. Holding Industrial Education Center was granted approval by the State Board of Education as W.W. Holding Technical Institute and licensed to award the Associate in Applied Science degree. The name was changed to Wake Technical Institute in September 1974 and to Wake Technical College on March 1, 1980. The name was changed to Wake Technical Community College on December 1, 1987.

The college was first accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools on December 3, 1970.

Wake Tech provides equitable access to education that transforms lives through economic mobility and personal fulfillment.

In pursuit of its mission, the college adheres to an open-door admissions policy by offering quality, accessible and affordable education opportunities to all adults regardless of age, sex, socioeconomic status, ethnic origin, race, religion or disability. To meet the needs of the citizens of Wake County, the college focuses on providing support services, resources, community outreach and partnerships; programs in basic skills development; vocational, technical and occupational training; and college/university transfer preparation.

We will reach students in every part of Wake County and rally around them to go as far as their dreams, talents and resilience take them.

Wake Tech will structure its operations, training and educational programs around the core values of accountability, respect, responsibility, critical thinking, communication and collaboration.

• Accountability – Accountability is essential for an environment of learning. Those who are accountable stand by their words and actions, taking full responsibility for what they create and for what they contribute to the community.
• Respect – Respect is a prerequisite for enhancing learning. Community members who respect themselves and others help create a safe, yet open, climate of learning.
• Responsibility – Responsibility is the root of success. Students who assume personal responsibility for their education will reach their goals. Responsible students also make contributions to their communities.
• Critical thinking – Critical thinking is the fundamental purpose of higher education. The ability to solve problems through the application of the appropriate skills is critical to all disciplines.
• Communication – Communication is increasingly the key competency for living and working in the information age. Communicating effectively in oral and written forms through traditional and new media is a powerful tool for personal and career success.
• Collaboration – Collaboration, by bringing together individual knowledge and talents, creates teams that are greater than the sum of their parts. Such teamwork maximizes benefits to individuals and the community.

Economic mobility 
Students who earn a credential at Wake Tech or one of their transfer institutions are better off economically after they leave.

Equitable outcomes
Students are successful, regardless of their race, gender or socioeconomic status.

Labor market
Students will find sustainable employment after completing a credential where they earn a living wage.

Transfer
Students transfer more and faster than in the past, do well when they transfer and earn bachelor's degrees.

Completion 
Students complete vastly more degrees and other meaningful credentials at faster rates than in the past.

Learning
Students gain the knowledge, skills and abilities they need for the labor market and transfer.

Equitable access
Students from underrepresented groups, including minority and low-income students, are able to enter Wake Tech programs and access the support services they need to be successful.

Wake Tech translates its mission, vision, values and goals into action through clearly defined programs and services.

• The college offers credit programs leading to associate degrees, diplomas and certificates designed for immediate entry into employment, an associate degree in general education and associate degrees designed to transfer to four-year institutions. The college also offers transitional programs for students to develop academic proficiency so that they may successfully complete curriculum courses.
• The college provides occupational career enhancement programs for individuals and support for economic development to businesses, industries and agencies. College & Career Readiness  education, English as a Second Language and a variety of Workforce Continuing Education courses and programs for personal enrichment are offered on campus and throughout the county. The college further serves its constituents by providing a range of community services, partnerships and outreach programs.
• The college provides a range of support services designed to assist students in successfully fulfilling their education and occupational goals. These services, developed to meet the diverse needs of individual students, begin with their initial contact with the college and continue throughout their enrollment and job placement or transfer for further study.
• The college practices sound fiscal management and systematic planning to provide facilities, equipment and state-of-the art technology to ensure quality education opportunities at secure facilities accessible to Wake County citizens.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Wake Technical Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Wake Technical Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Wake Technical Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling 404-679-4500 or by using information available on SACSCOC's website (www.sacscoc.org).

CALEA
The college's Public Safety Education Campus has been awarded CALEA Training Academy Accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (13575 Heathcote Blvd.; Suite 320; Gainesville, VA 20155).

Specific program accreditation

Automotive Systems Technology
The college's Automotive Systems Technology associate degree program has been accredited by National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and received certification from the ASE Education Foundation, 1503 Edwards Ferry Road N.E., Suite 401, Leesburg, VA 20176, 703-669-6650. All eight areas meet the strict industry standards required for ASE MASTER certification. This is the highest level of achievement recognized by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.

Criminal Justice Technology
The college's Criminal Justice Technology program is accredited by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission.

Culinary Technology
The college's Culinary Technology program is accredited by the American Culinary Federation, 180 Center Place Way, St. Augustine, FL 32095, 800-624-9458.

Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene
The college's programs in Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene have received accreditation (without reporting requirements) status from the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation. A copy of the appropriate accreditation standards and/or the commission’s policy and procedure for submission of complaints may be obtained by contacting the commission at 211 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611-2678, or by calling 800-621-8099, extension 4653.

Detention Officer Certificate
The college's Detention Officer Certificate program has been accredited by the North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission to offer the certification course for individuals seeking to become detention officers. North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission, North Carolina Department of Justice, 9001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-9001.

Heavy Equipment and Transport Technology/ Construction Equipment Systems
The college's Heavy Equipment and Transport Technology/Construction Equipment Systems program is accredited by Accreditation Board of Associated Equipment Distributors (AED). The AED Foundation can be reached at 600 22nd St., Suite 220, Oak Brook, IL 60523.

Medical Assisting
The Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of Medical Assisting Education Review Board.The CAAHEP can be reached at 25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763 or 727-210-2350.

Medical Lab Technology and Phlebotomy
The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) is the accrediting agency for the Medical Laboratory Technology program and the approving agency for the Phlebotomy program. The NAACLS is located at 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119 or 773-714-8880.

Nursing
The college's Associate Degree in Nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA, 30326. Phone 404-975-5000 or fax 404-975-5020.

Pharmacy Technology
The college's Pharmacy Technology program is accredited by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) and Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. The ASHP is located at 7272 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814.

Radiography
Wake Tech's program in Radiography is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL  60606-3182, or 312-704-5300.

Accreditation documentation connected with curriculum programs at Wake Tech can be found on the college's website.

The following Wake Tech programs have been reviewed by and met the standards for approval of the organizations/agencies indicated:

• Emergency Medical Technology – North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services
• Human Services Technology – North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation
• Nursing – North Carolina Board of Nursing
• Phlebotomy – National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
• Veterans' Services – North Carolina Approving Agency for Veterans Education and Training

Wake Tech is a member of the following organizations:

• APPA Membership & Outreach Department
• Advisory Board/Education Advisory Board (American Health Line)
• American Association for Paralegal Educators
• American Association for Women in Community Colleges (AAWCC)
• American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)
• American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)
• American Council on Education (ACE)
• American Culinary Federation (ACF)
• American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
• American Marketing Association (AMA)
• American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges (AMATYC)
• Association Community College Business Officials (ACCBO)
• Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT)
• Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
• Association for the Title IX Administrators (ATIXA)
• Association of College & University Policy Administrators (ACUPA)
• Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors – International
• Association of Community College Safety and Security Officials (ACCSSO)
• Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT)
• Association of Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD)
• Break Away
• Carolinas Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Officers (CACRAO)
• Center for Urban Transportation
• Chamber of Commerce - Apex
• Chamber of Commerce - Cary
• Chamber of Commerce - Fuquay-Varina
• Chamber of Commerce - Garner
• Chamber of Commerce - Holly Springs
• Chamber of Commerce - Knightdale
• Chamber of Commerce - Morrisville
• Chamber of Commerce - Raleigh
• Chamber of Commerce - Rolesville
• Chamber of Commerce - Wake Forest
• Chamber of Commerce - Wendell
• Chamber of Commerce - Zebulon
• College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR)
• Community Colleges Workforce Consortium-Jobs for the Future Inc.
• Connect for Success NC
• Construction Management Association of America (CMAA)
• Cooperating Raleigh Colleges (CRC)
• Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
• Edge
• Educause
• Excelencia in Education
• Higher Education Financial Wellness Alliance (HEFWA)
• Instructional Technology Council
• International Association General Motors ASEP (IAGMASEP)
• League for Innovation Community College, Leadership Institute, League Alliance Services
• Learning Resources Network (LERN)
• NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education)
• NATE The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association
• National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE)
• National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)
• National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS)
• National Association of College Stores (NACS)
• National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP)
• National Association of International Educators (NAFSA)
• National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA)
• National College Testing Association (NCTA)
• National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR)
• National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA)
• National Grant Management Association (NGMA)
• National HEP Camp Association
• National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP)
• National Institute for Staff & Organizational Development – The University of Texas (NISOD)
• National Restaurant Association/NC Restaurant Association (NC RLA)
• North Carolina Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administration (NCACLEA)
• North Carolina Association of Colleges and Employers (NCACE)
• North Carolina Association of Community College Facility Operations (NCACCFO)
• North Carolina Association of Community College Presidents (NCACCP)
• North Carolina Association of Community College Trustees (NCACCT)
• North Carolina Association of Government Information Officers (NCAGIO)
• North Carolina Campus Compact
• North Carolina Chamber (formerly NCCBI)
• North Carolina Community College Association of Distance Learning (NC3ADL)
• North Carolina Comprehensive Community College Student Government Association (N4CSGA)
• North Carolina NWBE Coordinators’ Network (NC MWBE)
• North Carolina Society of Hispanic Professionals (NCSHP)
• North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (SARA NC)
• North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA) NCTECH
• North Carolina Work-Based Learning Association (NCWBLA)
• Online Learning Consortium, Inc. (OLC)
• Organization for Safety, Asepsis & Prevention (OSAP)
• PMMI
• Perimeter Park Phase II & III Owner’s Association, Inc.
• President’s Forum
• Reliable Training Providers, LLC
• Regional Transportation Alliance
• Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges, Inc. (SACSCOC)
• Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (SACRAO)
• Triangle Area Hotel Motel Association
• Triangle Technology Executives Council
• United Minority Contractors of North Carolina (UMCNC)
• University and College Designers Association (UCDA)
• US Green Building Council (USGBC)

Wake Technical Community College will not engage in substantial misrepresentation of itself as an institution, the nature of its educational programs, its financial charges, the employability of its graduates or its relationship with the U.S. Department of Education.

Wake Tech prohibits substantial misrepresentation, as defined in this policy, by any of its individual representatives or by any institution, organization or person not officially affiliated with or authorized by the college, including those with whom the institution has an agreement to provide educational programs, recruitment or admissions services, marketing or advertising.

Substantial misrepresentation is prohibited in all forms, including those used in advertising or promotional materials and those used in the marketing or sale of instructional courses or programs offered by the college.

DEFINITIONS
Substantial misrepresentation – any false, erroneous or misleading statement that the institution, a representative of the institution or a covered service provider makes directly or indirectly to a student, prospective student, member of the public, accrediting agency, state agency or the U.S. Department of Education

Misleading statement – any statement that has the likelihood or tendency to deceive or confuse

PROCEDURES 
Alleged misrepresentation may be reported to the Senior Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services.