Middle States Self-Study
Reaccreditation and the Self-Study Process
Utica University is scheduled for reaccreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in 2026 – 2027. This process includes completing a comprehensive self-study report that demonstrates how the institution currently meets the Commission’s Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation.
Institutional Priorities to be Addressed in the Self-Study
- Relevance and distinctiveness of the University and its academic programs
- Financial stability and the responsible stewardship of resources
- Improved enrollments
Intended Outcomes of the Self-Study
- Demonstrate how the institution currently meets the Commission’s Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation(Fourteenth Edition) and provides evidence by Standard alignment with the Evidence Expectations by Standard.
- Leverage periodic assessment through each standard, using assessment results for continuous improvement and innovation to ensure levels of quality for constituents and the attainment of the institution’s priorities, mission, and goals.
- Engage the institutional community in an inclusive and transparent self-appraisal process, including analysis of a range of data, including disaggregated data, to ensure students are appropriately served and institutional mission and goals are met.
- Articulate and promote the value of a Utica University education and degree credential in the current marketplace.
Self-Study Steering Committee
The self-study report will be drafted by members of the Steering Committee and their respective Working Groups. Steering Committee members for the 2026-2027 self-study report are:
CO-CHAIRS
Rachel Wolfe, Associate Professor of Theater and Presiding Officer of the Faculty Senate
Ann Damiano, Senior Associate Provost and Accreditation Liaison Officer
STEERING COMMITTEE
Brian Picente, Operations Manager for Academic Affairs
Sharon Wise, Distinguished Professor of Biology; Dean, Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Jason Denman, Professor of English; Dean, Humanities and Social Sciences and Assistant Provost
Terri Provost, Distinguished Professor of Biology; Chair, Biology Department
Bethany Samuels, Dean of Student Success
Donna Dolansky, Professor of Practice in Accounting
Laurence Zoeckler, Professor of Education; Chair, Educator Preparation
Project Timeline
| Date: | Activity/Task: |
|---|---|
| September – November 2024 | Self-study co-chairs attend the 2024 Self-Study Institute |
| October – December 2024 | Steering Committee is formed; Working Groups are assembled |
| December 4, 2024 | Dr. Ryan Hartnett, Utica University's MSCHE liaison, hosts a post-SSI conference call to discuss next steps |
| January – September 2025 | Evidence Inventory is assembled and organized |
| January 27 – February 3, 2025 | Self-study design is shared with the University community for feedback and comment |
| February 14, 2025 | Self-study Design is submitted to the Middle States Commission |
| February – April 2025 | Working Groups meet, review evidence, and outline a response for their respective standard |
| April 8, 2025 | The University hosts Dr. Ryan Hartnett for a self-study preparation visit |
| April 25, 2025 | Preliminary outlines due from each Working Group |
| May 30, 2025 | Revised self-study design submitted to the Commission |
| June 30, 2025 | Assuming the self-study design is accepted, Dr. Hartnett sends an approval letter to the University |
| October 10, 2025 | The initial draft of each chapter is due from each Working Group |
| October – November 2025 | Drafts are posted for review and feedback; Working Groups hold in-person sessions to solicit feedback on drafts |
| January – March 2026 | The Commission sends to Utica University's President a nomination for the team chair |
| February 20, 2026 | Revised drafts are due from each working group |
| April 24, 2026 | Working Groups submit final drafts |
| April 30, 2026 | The University hosts the Team Chair's preliminary visit by this date |
| May – August 2026 | Final edits are made to the self-study report |
| September – October 2026 | The Commission sends the University the evaluation team roster and identifies the vice chair of the team |
| September 2026 | The Board of Trustees endorses the Self-Study report |
| September 2026 | The ALO uploads the final self-study report and all evidence 10 weeks prior to evaluation team visit |
| September – October 2026 | The University prepares for the team visit |
| October – November 2026 | The ALO uploads additional information requested by the evaluation team |
| November 2026 | Visiting team meets with University personnel to verify contents of self-study report; Team chair uploads final report to MSCHE portal; University uploads response to the team report |
| March 2027 | Commission meets to determine action |
Self-Study Design
May 30 2025 Approved Self-Study Design
Updates
April 8, 2025
Open Presentation by Dr. Ryan Hartnett, Vice President, Institutional Field Relations, Middle States Commission on Higher Education
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