Middle States Self-Study
2024 Middle States Self-Study
Middle States Commission on Higher Education Accreditation
In Fall 2021, Immaculata University began an intensive process of self-review and evaluation. This period of research, analysis, and reflection lays the groundwork for the college’s re-accreditation review by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Accredited institutions are expected to demonstrate compliance with the seven MSCHE Accreditation Standards and 15 Requirements of Affiliation. The standards emphasize the centrality of the institution’s mission to planning and decision-making, including determinations about programmatic offerings and resource allocation.
The MSCHE Accreditation Process invites the university to examine itself against external criteria of excellence to demonstrate the institution’s compliance with standards for accreditation, requirements of affiliation, policies and procedures, and applicable federal regulatory requirements.
The 2024 Middle States Self-Study process will be led by the Coordinating Team:
- Kelly Stalker (Co-Chair)
- Sister Judith Parsons (Co-Chair)
- Sister Ann Heath (Accreditation Liaison)
- Mary Kate Boland (Coordinator)
- Angela Tekely (Coordinator)
Why does Accreditation Matter?
- Accredited institutions have access to federal grant money for faculty and financial aid for students.
- Credits are more easily transferred to four-year schools.
- Teaching and research efforts of the faculty are legitimized.
- The process invites the College to consider: How are we doing?
How does MSCHE accreditation work?
The Commission is a voluntary, non-governmental, membership association that defines, maintains, and promotes educational excellence across institutions with diverse missions, student populations, and resources. It examines each institution as a whole, rather than specific programs within institutions.
- Steering Committee
- Working Group 1: Standard I
- Working Group 2: Standard II
- Working Group 3: Standard III
- Working Group 4: Standard IV
- Working Group 5: Standard V
- Working Group 6: Standard VI
- Working Group 7: Standard VII
- Working Group 8: Writing
- Working Group 9: Technology
- Working Group 10: Evidence
- Working Group 11: Communication
| Steering Committee | |
|---|---|
| Co-Chairs | |
| Sister Judith Parsons | Professor of Philosophy |
| Dr. Kelly Stalker | Professor/Department Chair of Health, Nutrition & Exercise Sciences |
| Members | |
| Mr. Sergio Aclo | Manager of Online Learning |
| Ms. Mary Kate Boland | Dean of Academic Affairs |
| Sister Carol Anne Couchara | Professor of Education/Dissertation Support Manager |
| Ms. Janelle Cronmiller | Associate Dean of Students and Title IX Coordinator |
| Sister Ann Heath | Professor and Director of Higher Education |
| Dr. Erin Kirschmann | Associate Professor Psychology and Counseling |
| Dr. Patricia Knecht | Board of Trustee Member |
| Dr. Kelly Orlando | Professor of Biology |
| Ms. Cecelia Oswald | Director of Office of Institutional Research & Effectiveness |
| Dr. Marcia Parris | Dean of College of Graduate Studies |
| Dr. Josh Weikert | Associate Professor/Department Chair of Civic Engagement |
| Ms. Jane Wilson | Budget Director |
| Dr. Judith Witt | Board of Trustees Member |
| Consultants | |
| Ms. Lydia Szyjka | Director of Communications |
| Dr. Angela Tekely | Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost |
| Working Group 1: Standard I | |
|---|---|
| Leaders | |
| Sister Carol Ann Couchara | Chair of Working Group; Professor of Education/Dissertation Support Manager |
| Ms. Leah Bustraan | Collaborative Lead; Director of Student Teaching & Certification Officer |
| Members | |
| Dr. M.E. Jones | Professor of Applied Technology and Mathematics |
| Ms. Alexa Milano | Associate Director of Admissions |
| Mr. Tom Machamer | Assistant Director of Resident Life and Housing |
| Dr. David Martinson | Professor of Psychology and Counseling |
| Ms. Karen Matweychuk | Director of Alumni Relations |
| Ms. Jill Seacrist | Bursar |
| Working Group 2: Standard II | |
|---|---|
| Leaders | |
| Dr. Joshua Weikert | Chair of Working Group; Associate Professor/Department Chair Civic Engagement |
| Dr. Maria Cuddy-Casey | Collaborative Lead; Professor of Psychology and Counseling |
| Members | |
| Ms. Danielle Conway | Human Resource Generalist |
| Sister Susan Cronin | Professor of Biology |
| Ms. Jenny Lindsay | Director of Resident Life and Housing |
| Ms. Dina Stern | Director of Financial Aid |
| Dr. Jane Tang | Professor of Nursing/Division Chair |
| Working Group 3: Standard III | |
|---|---|
| Leaders | |
| Dr. Kelly Orlando | Chair of Working Group; Professor of Biology |
| Dr. Dawn Kriebel | Collaborative Lead; Professor of Psychology and Counseling |
| Members | |
| Ms. Darcey Doyle | Director of Curriculum and Instruction |
| Dr. Kelly Doyle | Assistant Professor of Education |
| Dr. Mark Hammons | Assistant Dean, College of Graduate Studies |
| Ms. Elyssa Mulcahy | Instructional Designer, Online Learning |
| Ms. Jennifer Peruso | Executive Director of Learning Support Services |
| Dr. Cristina Tansey | Assistant Professor/Assistant Director of Prelicensure BSN Program |
| Working Group 4: Standard IV | |
|---|---|
| Leaders | |
| Dr. Marcia Parris | Chair of Working Group; Dean, College of Graduate Studies |
| Ms. Kate Kearney | Collaborative Lead; Executive Director of Center for Undergraduate Advising |
| Members | |
| Ms. Avery Turner | Registrar |
| Ms. Kathy Memmo | Associate Director of Center for Undergraduate Advising |
| Ms. Chrissy Rhine | Executive Director of Admissions |
| Ms. Sandra Rollison | Associate Dean, College of Graduate Studies |
| Ms. Zena Tracy | Adult Non-Traditional Admissions Counselor |
| Ms. Kathleen Womelsdorf | Assistant Director of Academic Compliance/Senior Women’s Administrator |
| Dr. Luna Zhang | Professor of Chemistry |
| Working Group 5: Standard V | |
|---|---|
| Leaders | |
| Dr. Erin Kirschmann | Chair of Working Group; Associate Professor Psychology and Counseling |
| Dr. Laurie DiRosa | Collaborative Lead; Professor of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Science |
| Members | |
| Ms. Lisa D’Ortone | Learning Support Coordinator |
| Ms. Heidi Harrison | Director of Career and Professional Development |
| Sister Donna Kelley | Professor of Psychology and Counseling/Director of Psy.D. Program |
| Dr. Karen Miscavage | Assistant Professor of Education/Director MA-EDL |
| Dr. Bobbijo Pinnelli | Associate Director of Academic Assessment |
| Ms. Lynn Rothenhoefer | Associate Dean of Students |
| Working Group 6: Standard VI | |
|---|---|
| Leaders | |
| Ms. Jane Wilson | Chair of Working Group; Budget Director |
| Dr. Elizabeth Faunce | Collaborative Lead; Professor of Business, Fashion and Leadership |
| Members | |
| Mr. Kevin Convery | Director of Facilities |
| Dr. Tom O’Brien | Director of Sponsored Research & Professor Emerita |
| Mr. Kerry Jones | Director of Capital Planning |
| Mr. Paul Murphy | Director of Athletics and Recreation |
| Dr. Bryan Steinberg | Chief Information Officer |
| Working Group 7: Standard VII | |
|---|---|
| Leaders | |
| Ms. Janelle Cronmiller | Chair of Working Group; Associate Dean of Students and Title IX Coordinator |
| Ms. Joanne Cristinzio | Collaborative Lead; Director of Finance/Controller |
| Members | |
| Sister Monica Acri | Assistant Professor of Psychology and Counseling |
| Ms. Peggy Behm | Board of Trustees Chair |
| Dr. Pam Hudson | Associate Professor of Nursing/Director of MSN Program |
| Dr. Jean Shingle | Dean of Undergraduate Academic Administration |
| Ms. Claudine Vita | Executive Director of Human Resources |
| Working Group 8: Writing | |
|---|---|
| Leader | |
| Ms. Mary Kate Boland | Chair of Writing Group; Dean of Academic Affairs |
| Members | |
| Ms. Allison Duncan | Associate Director of Marketing and Communication |
| Ms. Kerri Rinaldi | Director of Writing Center |
| Working Group 9: Technology | |
|---|---|
| Mr. Sergio Aclo | Chair of Technology Group; Manager, Online Learning |
| Working Group 10: Evidence | |
|---|---|
| Leader | |
| Ms. Cecelia Oswald | Chair of Evidence Group; Director of Office of Institutional Research & Effectiveness |
| Members | |
| Ms. Sue Ross | Finance and Business Operations Administrator |
| Working Group 11: Communication | |
|---|---|
| Leader | |
| Ms. Lydia Szyjka | Chair of Communication Group; Director of Communications |
| Members | |
| Mr. Jonathan Carson | Digital Content Specialist |
Announcements & Resources
High Level Timeline
| Fall 2021 | Self-Study Institute and Core Team meetings |
| December 2021 | Steering Committee Meeting |
| January/February 2022 | Meeting with MSCHE VP, Assemble Work Groups, Begin to draft Self-Study Design (SSD) |
| May 2022 | SSD Completed |
| June 2022 | Self-Study Prep Visit with MSCHE VP |
| Fall 2023 | Self-Study Report submitted (2 weeks before Chair visit) |
| Winter 23/24 | Self-Study Report finalized and shared with IU community |
| Spring 2024 | Final Self-Study Report submitted (6 weeks before team visit), Self-Study Evaluation Team Visit |
Major Milestones for Accreditation
| August 26, 2021 | Presidents selects and announces Self-Study co-chairs |
| October 2021 | Designated leadership team participates in Self-Study Institute |
| November 20, 2021 | President appoints Steering Committee |
| December 17, 2021 | Steering Committee First Meeting |
| January 14, 2022 | Remote Self-Study Preparation Discussion by Dr. Terence Peavy, MSCHE VP with Immaculata MSCHE Core Team |
| February 3, 2022 | President appoints and announces Work Groups |
| Week of February 14th | Work Group Initial Meetings |
| February 16, 2022 | Executive Administration approved Institutional Priorities |
| May 6, 2022 | Self-Study Design draft sent to MSCHE Liaison |
| June 9, 2022 | Self-Study Preparation Virtual Visit with Dr. Terence Peavy, MSCHE Vice President for Institutional Field Relations |
| July 8, 2022 | Self-Study revised document sent to MSCHE Liaison |
| July 18, 2022 | Final approval of Self-Study Design document from MSCHE |
Contact
Questions and comments regarding the MSCHE Accreditation may be directed to msche@immaculata.edu.
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