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 academic programs and experiences
Equitable outcomes and improved student success
Quality of student life and the student experience

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.
Enhance educational quality and the student experience based on reliable data and best practices.

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
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

January 27 – February 3, 2025	Self-study design shared with University community for feedback and review
February 14, 2025	Self-study Design submitted to the Middle States Commission
April 8, 2025	Dr. Ryan Hartnett, Utica University’s Middle States liaison, visits the campus for a self-study preparation visit
April 25, 2025	Preliminary outlines for each standard due
April 25, 2025	Preliminary outlines for each standard due
October 10, 2025	Initial draft of each chapter from each working group
October – November 2025	Drafts are reviewed by University community; suggestions made for revisions
February 20, 2026	Revised drafts are due from each working group
March 31, 2026	The Commission sends the University the evaluation team roster
April 24, 2026	Final drafts are due from each working group
April – June 2026	Final edits are made to the self-study report
Fall 2026	Evaluation team visits the campus to verify contents of the self-study report