Susan Johnson Elected to ACCSCT

From GIA, Carlsbad, Calif. – The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) today announced that Susan B. Johnson, GIA’s director of education administration, has been elected school commissioner by the membership of the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT). Johnson will begin serving as part of a team of 13 ACCSCT commissioners starting July 1, 2007.

The announcement marks the first time that a GIA staff member has been elected to a position on ACCSCT’s governing board. Brook Ellis, GIA’s vice president of education, serves on the governing board of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) and was recently presented with their distinguished service award. GIA holds dual accreditation, with both the ACCSCT and the DETC.

According to Donna Baker, president of GIA, both executives epitomize GIA’s continuing commitment to the highest levels of academic quality. “Susan has dedicated her career to not only achieving the utmost standards in education in our industry, but also to sharing her wealth of knowledge with others,” she said. “We’re proud of her accomplishments and we’re confident that she will serve as an excellent ACCSCT commissioner.”

As GIA’s director of education administration, Johnson is a member of the organization’s education leadership team and plays a key role in operating its global educational business, which serves 16,000 students annually. Throughout her tenure at GIA, she has served as a faculty member, managed the extension division (now lab classes), directed alumni development and filled the role of dean of students. In addition, Johnson has been intimately involved with GIA’s accreditation, compliance, and licensure endeavors. She is also a member of the Association for Career and Technical Education and the Women’s Jewelry Association.

Formed in 1967, ACCSCT has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as an authority on the establishment of educational standards and practices. The ACCSCT serves more than 200,000 students across the U.S. and provides accreditation of private, post-secondary, non-degree-granting institutions as well as degree-granting institutions, including those offering associate, baccalaureate and master’s degrees that are predominantly for occupational, trade, and technical careers.

GIA is one of more than 800 institutions holding ACCSCT accreditation, and was recognized by the organization as a school of distinction in 2006.

About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is recognized as the world's foremost authority in gemology. Established in 1931, GIA has translated its expert knowledge into the most respected gemological education available. In 1953, the Institute created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world. Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trusts in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. GIA can be found on the web at http://www.gia.edu/. Media queries contact: Laura Simanton 760-603-4112.