Middle States Accreditation

Home - About Wilkes - Accredited Degree Programs and Rankings - Middle States Accreditation

Wilkes University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education external website (MSCHE).

MSCHE is a voluntary, non-governmental membership organization that accredits institutions of higher learning throughout the world. Established in 1919, MSCHE historically served the the mid-Atlantic region of the United States.

Since being reclassified as a global accrediting body in 2020, MSCHE has expanded to over 500 institutions in 46 US states, the District of Columbia, 2 US territories, and over 100 countries. Wilkes University has been accredited with MSCHE since 1937. Accreditation strengthens and sustains higher education to assure institutions are worthy of public confidence and to minimize external control.

View Wilkes University's Middle States Accreditation Details external website

Self-Study and Site Visit

MSCHE accreditation requires completion of an institutional Self-Study and a subsequent visit from a team of external peer evaluators. Through the evaluation process, the MSCHE-member institutions must demonstrate they meet the expectations of the Commission's Requirements of Affiliation, the Standards for Accreditation, and relevant federal regulations. Few University-wide endeavors rival the Self-Study process, for its importance, inclusiveness and opportunity for institutional reflection. Through self-study we demonstrate our commitment to our students and to continuous improvement.

Wilkes’ accreditation status was reaffirmed by MSCHE in 2020, following a virtual site visit (due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Following the 2020 reaffirmation, Wilkes moved to an eight-year accreditation cycle (from previous 10-year cycle). Our next Self-Study will be completed and site visit will occur in 2027-2028.

Committee Members

Coordinating Committee

All questions regarding the accreditation process should be directed to members of this committee.

Ruth Hughes, Co-Chair
Brent Young, Co-Chair
Brian Bogert
LaFleur Small, Associate Provost and Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO)

Working Groups

Standard I - Mission and Goals

Lori Cooper, Chair
Erica Acosta
William Eggleston, Alumnus and Board of Trustees Member
Matt Finkenbinder
Bridget Giunta
Lisa Colavitti
Ian Padden, Student Representative
Akira Shimizu

Standard II - Ethics and Integrity

Standard III - Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience

Standard IV - Support of the Student Learning Experience

Philip Ruthkosky, Chair
Catie Becker
Katy Betnar
John Harrison
Dawn Leas
Shawn Loyack
Scott Musa
Ellen Newell
Ross Novak
Jeanne Rabel
Christy Snedeker
John Tondora, Undergraduate Student Representative

Standard V - Educational Effectiveness Assessment

Standard VI - Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement

Standard VII - Governance, Leadership, and Administration

Mandy Pennington, Chair
Abel Adekola
Adam Butterwick, President, Student Government
Michele Garrison
Joe Housenick
Kelli McCullough
Eric Ruggiero
Ben Toll
Adam VanWert
Mike Wood
Gretchen Yeninas

Verification of Compliance

Timeline

Spring 2025 - Fall 2025

Formation of Coordinating Committee
Formation of Steering Committee and Working Groups
Attend the Middle States Self-Study Institute

Spring 2026

Submission of the Self-Study Design
Middle States Self-Study Preparation Visit
Working Groups collect relevant data

Fall 2026 - Fall 2027

Working Groups prepare chapter drafts for Self-Study
Steering Committee reviews chapters
Working Groups submit final drafts of chapters
Self-Study Co-Chairs compile initial draft of Self-Study Report
Coordinating Committee shares Self-Study draft and collects feedback from the University Community
Self-Study Co-Chairs prepare final draft of the Self-Study Report
Self-Study Report submitted to MSCHE

Spring 2028

Middle States Team Visit