Yesterday, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education peer review team shared a preliminary evaluation of the college’s success in meeting Middle States’ 14 “Characteristics of Excellence in Higher Education.”
Initial findings presented to the campus community were primarily positive. The review team commended the college for its welcoming environment, faculty and student support services, campus facilities, governance structure, distance learning offerings, clubs and athletics, and efforts to address and plan for change, among other areas. Several recommendations and suggestions concurred with those contained in our self-study, and new guidance was issued for improvement within several standards. All told, the college met all but one of the 14 standards reviewed – Standard 7, Institutional Assessment. The college already has begun implementing an institutional effectiveness plan and should have it fully in place by December 2015.
As you are aware, accreditation is the means of self-regulation and peer review adopted by the educational community, and the accrediting process is intended to sustain and strengthen the quality of our college. The evaluation of our performance should be viewed as an opportunity to improve and build on our strength as an institution. Accordingly, recommendations and suggestions received throughout the reaccreditation process will help guide college planning and strategies moving ahead.
As we conclude this phase of our reaccreditation process, I extend my appreciation to the many campus colleagues who have participated thus far, and also to our review team led by Dr. Joann La Perla-Morales. A final written report will be issued by the review team and presented to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in June. At that time, more information will be shared with the college community.
Drew
Published: Thu, 06 Mar 2014 12:45:02 +0000 by a.matonak