Middle States Reaccreditation
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education to conduct accreditation activities for institutions of higher education.
According to its Mission Statement, the Commission “assures students and the public of the educational quality of higher education” through an accreditation process that “ensures institutional accountability, self-appraisal, improvement, and innovation through peer review and the rigorous application of standards within the context of institutional mission.”
To ensure that institutions are reevaluated and monitored on a regular and consistent basis, the Commission requires accredited institutions to undergo a comprehensive Self-Study Evaluation and On-Site Evaluation Visit at least every eight years. MMC has launched its reaccreditation process, which includes preparation of our Self-Study and an On-Site Evaluation Visit in spring 2022.
-President Kerry Walk, Ph.D. (read the full statement here.)
The Self-Study provides us with an opportunity to demonstrate to Middle States how well we are meeting its seven Standards of Accreditation. The Self-Study will include seven chapters, one for each standard, accompanied by an inventory of evidence that supports our assertions regarding our accomplishments in relation to each standard. Members of the Steering Committee will be charged with leading a working group that is assigned a specific standard, gathering and reviewing relevant evidence, and preparing a report that assesses our progress in meeting the assigned standard and includes recommendations for improvement.
MMC’s last successful reaccreditation: 2012
MMC’s last successful periodic review report: 2017
Steering Committee Membership
The Steering Committee is comprised of fourteen administrators, faculty members, staff members, and students. They are:
- Peter Naccarato, Ph.D. (co-chair), Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs/Dean of the Faculty
- Nava Silton, Ph.D. (co-chair), Associate Professor of Psychology
- Brad Herling, Ph.D. (Standard 1), Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Chair of the History, Philosophy, and Religious Studies Department
- Rebecca Mattis-Pinard (Standard 2), Chief Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer
- Laura Tropp, Ph.D. (Standard 3), Professor of Communication Arts
- Dayne Hutchinson, Ph.D. (Standard 4), Assistant Dean and Director of Student Development and Activities
- Sue Behrens, Ph.D. (Standard 5), Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
- Diana Zambrotta-Sheetz ’09 (Standard 6), Executive Director for Business Operations and Real Estate
- Katie LeBesco, Ph.D. (Standard 7), Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives
- Brian Rocco, Director of the Library
- Jason Lin, Senior Institutional Research Analyst
- Tseday Alehegn, Ed.D. (logistical support), Executive Director of Academic Operations
- Nyesha L. McCormick ’22, Student Government Association President
- Jacqueline Leon ’22, Resident Advisor
Self-Study Working Groups Membership
There are seven Working Groups, each assigned to one of the seven Middle States Standards for Reaccreditation. Working Group Membership is as follows:
Working Group 1: Mission and Goals
- Brad Herling, Ph.D. (chair), Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Chair of the History, Philosophy, and Religious Studies Department
- Mary Fleischer, Ph.D., Professor and Assistant Chair of Theatre Arts
- Erin Greenwell, M.F.A., Associate Professor of Communication and Media Arts
- Michael Salmon, M.Sc., Assistant Vice President for Academic Excellence and Senior Advisor to the President
- Giulia Becker Miller, Student Government Association
Working Group 2: Ethics and Integrity
- Rebecca Mattis-Pinard (chair), Chief Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer
- Jenny Dixon, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair of Communication and Media Arts and President of the Faculty Council
- Bree Bullingham, Associate Vice President for Human Resources
- Christina Rosado, Director of Center for Student Services Operations & Student Services
- Wilton Fontenette, Assistant Vice President of Advancement Operations
- Benjamin Lewis, Resident Advisor
Working Group 3: Student Learning Experience
- Laura Tropp, Ph.D. (chair), Professor of Communication Arts
- Catherine Cabeen, M.F.A., Associate Professor of Dance
- Emily Goldsmith, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Marketing
- Adrienne Baxter Bell, Ph.D., Professor of Art History and Director of the College Honors Program
- Matthew Bissell, Associate Director for Academic Advisement
- Ryan Atwell, Assistant Director of Career Services and Internship Programs
- Brian Rocco, Director of the Library
- Megan Bros, Peer Leader
Working Group 4: Student Experience
- Dayne Hutchinson, Ph.D. (chair), Assistant Dean and Director of Student Development and Activities
- Melissa Weekes-Stoute, Assistant Dean for Student Success
- Estrella Redondo, Senior Associate Director of Admission
- Harmony Cross, Director of the Higher Education Opportunity Program
- Kean Hawker, Assistant Director for International Student Services
- Michelle Quock, Director of Residence Life
- Gabriella Gavazzi, Campus Activities Board and Peer Leader
- Jacqueline Leon, Resident Advisor
Working Group 5: Educational Effectiveness Assessment
- Sue Behrens, Ph.D. (chair), Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
- Cecilia Feilla, Ph.D., Associate Professor of English and World Literatures
- Diana Epelbaum, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Academic Writing and Director of the Academic Writing Program
- Bethany Elkin, M.F.A., Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts
- Noelle Griffis, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Communication and Media Arts
- PielahKim, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Marketing
- Lia Margolin, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair of Mathematics
Working Group 6: Planning
- Diana Zambrotta-Sheetz ’09 (Chair), Executive Director for Business Operations and Real Estate
- Maisha Williams, Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer
- Richard Sheldon, Associate Vice President for Academic Administration
- Marie Pace, Director of Auxiliary Services
- Lisha Bodden, Senior Director of Individual Giving and Alumni Relations
- Carly Schneider ’12, Assistant Director of Communications
- Dale Hochstein, Chief Information Officer
- Gabrielle Fiorella ’23, Student Leader
Working Group 7: Governance
- Katie LeBesco, Ph.D. (chair), Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives
- Rob Dutiel, Associate Professor of Theatre Arts
- Valerie Marchesi, Director of Foundation Relations
- Giselle Caraballo, Student Government Association
