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Section 1: Institutional Overview

Section 2: Institutional Priorities

Section 3: Intended Outcomes

Section 4: Self-Study Approach

Section 5: Organizational Structure

Section 6: Guidelines for Reporting

Section 7: Final Self-Study Report

Section 8: Verification of Compliance

Section 9: Self-Study Timetable

Section 10: Communication Plan

Section 11: Evaluation Team Profile

Section 12: Evidence Inventory

What is the Middle States Commission on Higher Education(MSCHE)?

MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Secretary of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). It conducts accreditation activities and reviews for colleges and universities in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. MSCHE is one of six institutional accrediting agencies for higher education in the United States.

All MSCHE member institutions are peer-reviewed in order to ensure that all stakeholders receive excellence in education. Accreditation considers the institution as a whole rather than as piecemeal.

Gallaudet University has been a proud member of MSCHE since 1957. We work closely with MSCHE, and our collaboration with MSCHE is a way to ensure accreditation of Gallaudet University. The accreditation process is motivated by the fundamental desire to ensure that your Gallaudet experience is driven by best practices in higher education.


MSCHE SELF-STUDY TIMELINE 2020-2023


Spring Semester 2021

MSCHE Self-Study announced to the campus community; Website address linked

President Roberta J. Cordano sent a bilingual message to the campus community, “Middle States Commission on Higher Education Self-study” where she explains the purpose of the upcoming Self-Study and where to find more information.

February 22, 2021

Invitations sent from ALO to Steering Group members

Dr. Caroline Kobek Pezzarossi reached out to individuals identified for their areas of expertise to serve as members of the MSCHE Self-Study Steering Committee. These individuals also attended the MSCHE Self-Study Institute in Fall of 2020 and are prepared for the reaffirmation of accreditation process. These individuals are also chairs of Standard-based Working Groups.

April 21 – 23, 2021

MSCHE VP Liaison Self-Study prep visit to campus

Dr. Sean McKitrick, the MSCHE Vice President and liaison to Gallaudet University conducted a virtual visit. The purpose of Dr. McKitrick’s interaction with various stakeholders at Gallaudet is to help prepare the institution to conduct a useful self-study and host a successful On-Site Evaluation Team Visit.

May 12, 2021

Convening the Steering Committee to develop the Working Groups

The Self-Study Co-Chairs, Dr. Crystal Harris and Dr. William Ennis along with Dr. Kobek Pezzarossi worked with each Steering Committee to form their Standards-based Working Groups.

May – June 2021

Final draft of the Self-Study Design Proposal is written by Co-Chairs/ALO and submitted to MSCHE VP liaison for approval

The Self-Study Design was submitted to MSCHE on June 21, 2021 and accepted with full endorsement by Dr. McKitrick.

May 2021

Summer 2021

Co-chairs, ALO, and Steering Committee identify and invite members of the Working Groups

Dr. Harris, Dr. Ennis, and Dr. Kobek Pezzarossi worked with the Standards-based Working Group chair or co-chair in identifying membership and extended invitations to each individual.

May – June 2021

Co-Chairs and ALO develop Working Group charge: Description of inquiry along with strengths and challenges and connections of inquiry to MSCHE standards
*Steering Committee Review of Working Group drafts; Peer Review and discussion

Dr. Harris, Dr. Ennis, Dr. Kobek Pezzarossi and Dr. Lindsay Buchko drafted guiding questions in lieu of a “charge.” Each Working Group was asked to modify and update according to their Standard focus.

May – July 31, 2021

Fall Semester 2021

MSCHE Working Groups Orientation

In lieu of a Working Group orientation, the Steering Committee was gathered to discuss next steps and how to orient their Working Group.

Professional Development Week, August 16-20, 2021

Working Group Chairs (Steering Committee members) Convene 1st meeting of Working Groups

Working Groups began their first meetings in September 2021.

Week of August 23, 2021

Working Groups meet weekly

August 30, 2021 – November 5, 2021

*1st Draft: Working Group preliminary findings and conclusions
*Steering Committee Review of Working Group drafts; Peer Review and discussion

November 8, 2021

Working Groups meet 1-2 times

Weekly:
November 15 – December 20, 2021

Spring Semester 2022

MSCHE Steering Committee meeting

January 10 – 14, 2022

Working Groups Reconvene

January 18 – January 21, 2022

Working Groups meet 4-5 times; Draft recommendations

Weekly:
January 18 – February 11, 2022

2nd Draft – Working Group’s Recommendations Steering Committee review of Working Group’s drafts; peer review and discussion

February 28, 2021

Working Groups meet weekly
Spring Break: March 14 – 18

Weekly:
March 1 – April 1, 2022

*3rd Draft of recommendations
*Steering Committee Review of Working Group’s drafts; Peer Review and discussion

April 4, 2022

Working Groups meet 3-4 times

Weekly:
April 5 – May 6, 2022

Final draft from Working Groups

May 9, 2022

MSCHE Wrap up: Review of Working Group’s reports

May 16, 2022

MSCHE Co-Chairs take drafts from working groups and integrate them into a draft report for campus review

June – July 2022

Fall Semester 2022

Review by Gallaudet community; Response; Revision
Gallaudet University Self-Study is submitted to MSCHE
Team Chair Visit

Spring Semester 2023

Visit by MSCHE Site team

Information

FAQs

Policies and Information

MSCHE accreditation occurs every ten years. Gallaudet’s last reaccreditation was in 2013, and was led by Dr. Patricia Hulsebosch and Dr. Leslie Rach. The most important part of the reaccreditation process is to conduct a self-study. We are now organizing our self-study, ahead of the MSCHE site visit during 2022-2023.
During its self-study, an educational institution examines its structure, policies, practices, and other infrastructure with an eye towards critical inquiry. This is an opportunity to ask ourselves what we are doing well, what areas of support we need for success, and what we can innovate going forward. A major reason we are accredited is so we can get Title IV funds – financial aid – for our students. This is a complex undertaking, and involves many data points and contributions by the community.
A self-study involves you as a valuable part of our community! The MSCHE accreditation process is a community-driven process. Your help is much needed and appreciated. We will be asking the community to be a part of several committees led by your colleagues. We are committed to shared governance, and we will work closely with you and your colleagues to ensure full transparency, access, and communication. Please be on the lookout for these announcements and please work closely with your governing bodies. This spring, we will create a Steering Committee led by two co-chairs: one from the faculty and one from the staff. Their first task will be to support the development of the self study design which includes the structure, focus, and implementation of the self study.
MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Secretary of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). It conducts accreditation activities and reviews for colleges and universities in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. MSCHE is one of six institutional accrediting agencies for higher education in the United States. All MSCHE member institutions are peer-reviewed in order to ensure that all stakeholders receive excellence in education. Accreditation considers the institution as a whole rather than as piecemeal. Gallaudet University has been a proud member of MSCHE since 1957. We work closely with MSCHE, and our collaboration with MSCHE is a way to ensure accreditation of Gallaudet University. The accreditation process is motivated by the fundamental desire to ensure that your Gallaudet experience is driven by best practices in higher education.

Common Questions

If you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns, please contact Dr. Caroline Kobek Pezzarossi, Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Certification. She will be happy to meet with you. Her email address is Contact. The MSCHE self-study also has a dedicated email address: Contact.

Section 1: Institutional Overview

Section 2: Institutional Priorities

Section 3: Intended Outcomes

Section 4: Self-Study Approach

Section 5: Organizational Structure

Section 6: Guidelines for Reporting

Section 7: Final Self-Study Report

Section 8: Verification of Compliance

Section 9: Self-Study Timetable

Section 10: Communication Plan

Section 11: Evaluation Team Profile

Section 12: Evidence Inventory
Back to Accreditation

Contact Us

MSCHE Self-Study Timeline 2020-2023

Monday
9:00 am-5:00 pm
Tuesday
9:00 am-5:00 pm
Wednesday
9:00 am-5:00 pm
Thursday
9:00 am-5:00 pm
Friday
9:00 am-5:00 pm

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