Bunker Hill Community College Recognized for High-Quality Workforce Training
Thursday, October 22, 2026
Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) has been granted Recognition by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) for offering high-quality, non-credit programming. The Commission took this action at its September 24, 2026 meeting.
NECHE evaluates an organization's non-credit programs against its Recognition Quality Assurance Framework to determine whether they meet high standards of quality, consistency, and institutional support. In granting BHCC's initial recognition, the Commission found that the College has built the organizational capacity to deliver exceptional non-credit programming at scale.
"This recognition affirms our core belief that there is no wrong door to opportunity at Bunker Hill Community College," said BHCC’s president, Dr. Pam Y. Eddinger. "Whether a student arrives through a credit-bearing degree program or workforce training, they are one of our students, in a college committed to their success. NECHE's recognition validates the rigor and integrity we bring to every learner we serve, and it strengthens our ability to open doors for the residents and employers of Greater Boston."
The Commission specifically cited BHCC's Workforce and Economic Development division, noting that it is embedded in College governance, draws on external quality-assurance mechanisms, and reflects a deep commitment to integrating non-credit learners into the full College experience through BHCC's "one student, one record, one college" approach.
"Our Workforce and Economic Development team builds these programs with the same standards of quality, accountability, and student support that define BHCC as a whole, so this recognition belongs to every instructor, advisor, and staff member who shows up for our learners every day," said Kristen McKenna, Dean of Workforce and Economic Development at BHCC. "It also sends a clear signal to current and potential employer partners: at BHCC, we deliver programs and credentials worthy of their time and investment."
The Mission of BHCC’s Division of Workforce and Economic Development is to provide opportunities for education and training to lead to professional advancement and lifelong learning while meeting the workforce needs of the Greater Boston communities served by the College.
The Commission will monitor BHCC's continued progress toward its next recognition evaluation, scheduled for Spring 2031.
About NECHE Recognition
Bunker Hill Community College is recognized by the New England Commission of Higher Education as a provider of high-quality non-credit programming.
Recognition is distinct and separate from accreditation, which applies to the credit-bearing courses and programs at a higher education institution.
Recognition by the Commission indicates that the organization provides high-quality non-credit programming as articulated in the NECHE Non-Credit Quality Assurance Framework. NECHE recognition applies to the entirety of an organization's non-credit programming as defined in the Quality Assurance Framework.
Recognition (a) is not a guarantee of every non-credit course or program offered, or of the competency of students who have completed a program; (b) provides reasonable assurance about the quality of non-credit programming available to students; (c) does not replace or supersede any licensure or other approvals that may be required for certain non-credit programs (i.e. allied health programs); and (d) does not provide an organization access to Title IV funding for its non-credit courses and programs.
Inquiries regarding BHCC's recognition status may be directed to the College's administrative staff, or to the New England Commission of Higher Education, 301 Edgewater Place, Suite 210, Wakefield, MA 01880, (781) 425-7785, necherecognition@neche.org.
Media Contact:
Eoin Cannon, Senior Advisor to the President for Public Affairs and Strategic Communications,
Bunker Hill Community College, Boston, MA 02129
617-291-4492 (cell) and 617-228-3402 (office); Email: eoin.cannon@bhcc.edu
About Bunker Hill Community College
With more than 50 years of academic excellence, Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) is one of Massachusetts' largest community colleges, serving approximately 16,000 students annually. With campuses in Charlestown and Chelsea, BHCC offers a broad range of educational opportunities throughout Greater Boston. BHCC fosters a welcoming and supportive learning environment for students by offering associate degrees and certificates, early college and dual enrollment, community education, corporate training, and industry-specific programs.