In 2002, financial mismanagement and debt led to the rescinding of Morris Brown College’s accreditation.
Now, almost 20 years later, the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) granted the historically Black college accreditation candidacy. Morris Brown can now apply for Title IV funding and financial aid programs through the United States Department of Education, the school announced.
Working towards financial stability, Morris Brown has launched a number of fundraising efforts and partnerships over the years. Most recently, CGI Merchant Group, LLC plans to invest $30 million into the college to transform several facilities on campus into a hospitality management training center and Hilton hotel.
“We are elated about accreditation candidacy and making history,” said Dr. Kevin James, president of the Atlanta institution. “I want to thank all the faculty and staff for their hard work. We intend on making history as the first HBCU to regain its status after a twenty-year hiatus and the first HBCU to have a flagged hotel on its campus for a hospitality education program. These achievements have sparked other closed HBCU’s to try again.”