Middle States Self-Study 2025-2027

Middle States Self-Study 2025-2027
Clarkson University has begun the Self-Study process for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) re-accreditation process, guided by the analysis of each of seven standards prioritized by the commission by their importance in higher education. 
This periodic re-accreditation process is Clarkson’s opportunity to engage in a comprehensive and reflective assessment process to evaluate continuous improvement within the context of institutional mission and goals.
  • Advance Clarkson’s distinctive STEM education that encompasses all aspects of its students’ learning experience.
  • Support enrollment and student engagement across the Clarkson community.
  • Achieve financial stability and steward resources in support of mission.
  • To demonstrate that Clarkson University meets MSCHE’s Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation so that its accreditation is reaffirmed.*
  • To provide data and analysis to inform the university’s strategic thinking.
  • To implement an actively maintained comprehensive data and document warehouse to facilitate transparent, mission-centric, and data-based decision-making across all areas of the university.
  • To launch a sustainable, integrated institutional effectiveness assessment and continuous improvement process across all areas of the university.*
  • To have a self-study process that is open, transparent, and deliberately participative and inclusive.*

    (* identifies the outcome as one of Middle States three required outcomes)
Core Committee Executive Team Co-Chairs

Jerry Gravander, Accreditation Liaison Officer and Distinguished Service Professor, Department of Arts, Culture, and Technology

Amanda Pickering, Co-Chair and Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs & Student Achievement

Holly Sypniewski, Co-Chair and Professor, Department of Arts, Culture, and Technology

 

MSCHE Standard/Working Group Co-Chairs

Standard I Mission & Goals; Standard VI Planning, Resource, and Institutional Improvement  
Regis Quirin, Director of Budgets & Planning
Gasper Sekelj, Assistant Professor, Economics & Financial Studies

Standard II Ethics & Integrity; Standard VII Governance, Leadership,and Administration
Kevin Fite, Associate Professor, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Jerry Gravander, Distinguished Professor, Arts, Culture, & Technology 

Standard IV Support of the Student Experience
Laurel Kane, Director of Athletics 
Marjorie Warden, Director of the Higher Education Opportunity Program; the Community of Underrepresented Professional Opportunities

Standard III Design & Delivery of the Student Learning Experience, Standard V Educational Effectiveness Assessment 
Laura Perry, Director of Academic Technology and Support
Holly Sypniewski, Professor, Arts, Culture, & Technology

Evidence Inventory
Jasmine Johnson, Director of Institutional Research 
Amanda Pickering, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs & Student Achievement

(Working Group members TBA)

Quick Look Timeline

2024-2025:  Initial data audit for evidence inventory, design of the self-study process, Steering Committee and Working groups established

2025-2026: Working groups gather and analyze data and begin drafting reports

2026-2027:  Self Study completed and submitted to MSCHE in fall; campus visit by MSCHE team in spring (before April 15th)

June 2027: The MSCHE determines its action regarding the reaffirmation of Clarkson’s re-accreditation
 

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