Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) Accreditation
Accreditation Renewal
Hilbert College is working towards renewal of its Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) accreditation status.
The first part of the MSCHE process includes a two-year institutional self-review to explore key components of the College, including student learning experiences, institutional mission and goals, our organizational governance, and more. The self-study requires an institution to engage in a collaborative process to identify institutional priorities, assess progress in fulfilling them, and to reflect on opportunities for improvement and innovation.
MSCHE provides opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and members of the public to submit comments regarding the qualifications for accreditation of its member institutions.
Self-Study Design
The Middle States Self-Study Design document, which has been submitted to MSCHE, is available for viewing. A Hilbert email address is required for access.
Background
Why the MSCHE study is important
Accreditation has a direct impact on the College. As an MSCHE accredited institution, Hilbert secures its designation as a qualified institution of higher learning, and signals our priorities of continual improvement into the future.
MSCHE accreditation grants the College and its students access to federal funding through resources such as Federal Financial Aid through Title IV.
For more information about Hilbert College’s accreditation, please visit the MSCHE website.
Standards for Evaluation
Standards-based self-study approach
The College’s self-study will be organized by the standards for MSCHE accreditation under the fourteenth edition. Each standard has a dedicated working group focused on report delivery and meaningful impact and overlaps with the Hilbert College’s strategic planning efforts.
- Mission and Goals
- Ethics and Integrity
- Design and Delivery of the Student Experience
- Support of the Student Learning Experience
- Educational Effectiveness Assessment
- Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement
- Governance, Leadership, and Administration
- Compliance with Accreditation-Relevant Federal Regulations
Committee Members
Each of the self-study standards has its own dedicated committee, working diligently on ensuring proper representation in the report. In addition, the Steering Committees provide overarching leadership and support for the report
- Kristine Lynn Still, Ph.D., Provost and Executive Vice President
- Katelyn Letizia, Ed.D., Assistant Provost for Institutional Effectiveness and Registrar
- Donald E. Vincent, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair of Digital Media & Communication
- Diedre Debose, Ed.D., Vice President of Mission and Equity
- Lauren Gill, Director of Undergraduate Admissions
- Krisi Kopp, Director of Academic Operations
- Melissa Laidman, Public Services & Instruction Librarian
- Megan Lee, Admissions Counselor
- John Sullivan, Assistant Professor of Intelligence and Data Analysis
- Chair: Colleen Kumiega, Professor of Human Services, Chair of Behavioral Sciences
- Grace Adams, Director of Residence Life & Community Standards
- Ryan Caster, Interim Chief Financial Officer
- John Culhane Jr., J.D., Associate Professor of Criminal Justice
- Alex Gill, Director of Student Involvement
- Lauren Gill, Assistant Dean of Admissions
- Shelby Russell, Director of Creative Services
- Chair: Caitlin Szalkowski, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychology
- Kristen Connolly, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
- Tara Kazmark, Assistant Professor of English, Writing Coordinator
- Jenelle Lukasik, Associate Professor of Mathematics
- Amy Smith, Ph.D., Interim Academic Dean, Professor of English, Director of Honors
- Rachel Wozniak, Assistant Vice President of Student Life, Career Development, Service Learning & Community Engagement
- Co-Chair: Bobbie Billotta, Director of Human Resources
- Co-Chair: Rachel Wozniak, Assistant Vice President of Student Life – Career Development, Service Learning & Community Engagement
- Johnny Black, Head Men’s Soccer Coach
- Deb McLoughlin, Associate Vice President for Student Success
- Tim Seil, Director of Athletics
- Co-Chair: Habibul Bakht, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences, Chair of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
- Co-Chair: Charles Ernst, Ph.D., Professor of English, Director of Center for Excellence in Learning
- John D’Amico, Professor of Business, Chair of Business
- Laura Dannebohm, J.D., Associate Professor and Chair of Criminal Justice
- David Reis, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Chair of Liberal Studies, Director of First Year Experience
- Megan Witzleben, Ph.D., Associate Professor of English
- Chair: Jessica Hoffman, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Sociology
- Patrick Johnson, Associate Professor of Accounting
- Julie Kusmierz, Ph.D., Professor of Human Services
- LeeAnn Petronsky, Director of Annual Fund and Alumni Engagement
- Jeremy Trumble, Chief Information Officer
- Interim Chair: Herb Kauderer, Ph.D., Associate Professor of English
- Katie Halper, Assistant Director of Enrollment Operations
- Kathleen Christy, Vice President for Institutional Advancement
- Gordon Snow, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy
- John Wise, Ph.D., Director of Institutional Research and Assessment
- Jack Napier, Project Management Specialist at Hilbert College Global
Timeline
Below lists the Self-Study project timeline, including important deliverables and future key projects.
- May – Draft Self-Study Design; Submit Self-Study Design; Self-Study Preparation Visit with VP Liaison
- June – Revision of Self-Study design based on feedback and review of design
- July/August – Finalize Self-Study Design
- September – Begin Self-Study Data Collection
- November/December – Evaluate data, identify further evidence collection needs, and submit first outline
- January/February – First draft of Working Group chapters using report guidelines
- February – Review of first draft of Working Group chapters by Co-Chairs and Steering Committee
- March – Second draft of Working Group chapters using report guidelines; Review of second draft of Working Group chapters by Co-Chairs and Steering Committee
- April – Complete Working Group chapters and submit to Co-Chairs; Co-Chairs finalize draft of Self-Study and share with Steering Committee
- May – Self-Study draft shared with the campus community
- June – Collection and assessment of campus community feedback
- July – Revision of Self-Study draft based on campus community feedback
- August – Submit Self-Study draft to Middle States Team Chair; Final Self-Study report shared with the campus community
- November – Final Self-Study report and supporting documents uploaded to MSCHE portal
- February/March – Prepare for and host on-site evaluation team visit
- April/May – Receive draft report, submit corrections, submit evaluation team report, submit formal institutional response
- June – Middle States determines action
