Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award

Richland College is the first community college ever to recieve the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, presented jointly by the President of the United States and the Secretary of Commerce. This award is considered the nation's highest honor for performance excellence. Richland is also the first accredited institution of higher education in Texas to receive the Texas Award for Performance Excellence, Texas' highest honor for performance excellence, presented by the Governor of Texas and the Quality Texas Foundation.

Richland College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools, the accreditation agency for an eleven-state region.

"Since 1987, the Baldrige Award has recognized the achievements of American businesses, educational institutions, and health care organizations that put quality and people first. This year's recipients have demonstrated the principled leadership, strong character, and commitment to economic growth that are associated with this award's namesake, and each serves as a model for other organizations in its field."
-George W. Bush, President of the United States