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Middle States Accreditation at DeSales University

At DeSales University, we pride ourselves on maintaining the highest standards of quality and accountability in higher education.

Our accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education is a testament to our unwavering commitment to academic excellence, continuous improvement, and the success of our students.

The Middle States accreditation is a voluntary process that signifies our adherence to MSCHE's rigorous standards, encompassing all aspects of our institution—from teaching and learning to governance and administration. This accreditation guarantees our students, their families, and the wider community of DeSales University's steadfast adherence to the utmost standards of academic quality and ethical conduct.

DeSales received full and unconditional accreditation in 2018 and has begun preparing for reaccreditation in 2026. Through self-study, peer review, and adherence to MSCHE standards, we continually strive to exceed expectations, foster innovation, and prepare our students for a lifetime of success.

As we look to the future, DeSales University remains committed to embodying the values and principles that MSCHE stands for, ensuring that we provide an education that is both meaningful and transformative.

  • Self-Study Steering Committee Members

    • Rev. Kevin Nadolski, OSFS, Ph.D., Vice President of Mission
    • Tom McNamara, Executive Director of Communications
    • Eric Hagan, Ed.D., Director, Center for Teaching Excellence, Interim Director of Education Leadership
    • Nick Luchko, Associate Dean of Students
    • Bobbie Morici, MSPAS, Assistant Program Director, Physician Assistant
    • Stephen Carp, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Doctor of Physical Therapy
    • Sara Hayik, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Chemistry/Physics
    • Terese Wignot, Ph.D., Provost
    • Julia Mayo, MFA, CO-CHAIR, Chair, Associate Professor of Dance
    • Lisa Plummer, Ed.D., Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Research
    • Sue McGorry, Ph.D., CO-CHAIR, Assistant Provost and Professor of Marketing

Working Groups

DeSales University has established seven working groups to address Standards I through VII. The Steering Committee selected individuals for each working group based on criteria related to the standard's evaluation, their job roles and expertise, and ensuring representation across employee groups.

  • Standard I: Mission and Goals

    • Rev. Kevin Nadolski, OSFS, Ph.D., CHAIR, Vice President of Mission
    • Kim Karpinsk, Director of Data Management, Institutional Advancement
    • Jamie Gerhart, Executive Director of Community Service
    • Rodney Howsare, Ph.D., Chair, Professor of Theology
    • Julie Himmelberger, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biochemistry
    • Tom Mantoni, Registrar
    • Deb Whittaker, Ed.D., Chair of Nursing
    • Carrie Ellis, DPT, CO_CHAIR, Chair of Sport and Exercise Physiology

  • Standard II: Ethics and Integrity

    • Tom McNamara, CHAIR, Executive Director of Communications
    • Ann Marie Houck, CO-CHAIR, Chair of Mathematics/Computer Science
    • Jennifer Bunting, Associate Dean of Students
    • Allen Heckman, MSPAS, Chair of Medical Studies
    • Bob Blumenstein, Ph.D., Associate Provost
    • Angelica Silva, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Humanities
    • Jordan Loeb, Director of Admissions

  • Standard III: Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience

    • Ron Nordone, Dean of Graduate Studies
    • Scott Mattingly, Ed.D., Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education
    • Michael Yergey, Assistant Dean of Adult Studies
    • Brennan Pursell, Ph.D., Director of Data Analytics
    • Eric Hagan, Ed.D., Director, Center for Teaching Excellence, Interim Director of Education Leadership
    • Ted Masthay, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Social Sciences
    • Melanie Vallone, CHAIR, Director of Career Development Center
    • Sara Hulse Kirby, Ph.D., CO-CHAIR, Chair and Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Theology

  • Standard IV: Support of the Student Experience

    • Gracia Perelli, Associate Athletic Director
    • Amy Best, CO-CHAIR, Chair of Theatre
    • Carolyn Woodward, Assistant Director of Adult and Graduate Admissions
    • Lauren Brown, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Sport Management
    • Stacey Finney, Director of Academic Success Center
    • Rev. Doug Burns, OSFS, Assistant Professor of Sport and Exercise Physiology
    • Marlene Gubler, Administrative Associate, Provost
    • Tom Greve ’24
    • Nick Luchko, CHAIR, Associate Dean of Students
    • Jessica Bedford, MFA, Assistant Professor of Performing Arts
    • Wendy Kalamar, Associate Dean of Students Retention and Wellness

  • Standard V: Educational Effectiveness Assessment

    • Lisa Dietz, CO-CHAIR, Instruction and Assessment Librarian
    • Josh Slee, Ph.D., Provost Fellow for Faculty
    • Mark Albert, Chief Information Officer
    • Bobbie Morici, CHAIR, MSPAS, Assistant Program Director, Physician Assistant
    • Carolyn Tiger, Director of Student Accessibility
    • Karen Kent, Ph.D., Director of MBA
    • Sean Griech, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Doctor of Physical Therapy

  • Standard VI: Planning, Resource Allocation, and Institutional Improvement

    • Mike Sweetana, Chief Financial Officer
    • Stephen Carp, Ph.D., CHAIR, Associate Professor, Doctor of Physical Therapy
    • Deanne Fenstermacher, CO-CHAIR, Director of Finance
    • Tahereh Hojjat, Ph.D., Chair of Economics
    • Dan Villanti, Executive Director of Alumni Relations
    • Fran Fasching, DNP, Assistant Professor of Nursing
    • Ed Zimmerman, Director of Trexler Library
    • Mike Gallagher, Chair of Accounting
    • Lisa Plummer, Ed.D., Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Research

  • Standard VII: Governance, Leadership, and Administration

    • Michele Mrazik, CO-CHAIR, Assistant Director of Trexler Library
    • Sara Hayik, Ph.D., CHAIR, Assistant Professor, Chemistry/Physics
    • Pete Rautzhan, Associate Vice President of Administration
    • Joseph Leese, Ph.D., Professor of Biology
    • Margie Grandinetti, Associate Vice President of Human Resources
    • Tom Craig, Ph.D., Edward A. McCabe Chair of Business and Society
    • Jeff Richter, Director of Campus Environment
    • Mary Liz Doyle-Tadunni, Associate Dean, School of Nursing

Self-Study Design

Intended Outcomes

  • Engage in an inclusive and transparent reflective self-evaluative process that actively seeks to involve members of the University community.
  • Conduct an assessment of DeSales’ performance relative to the current Strategic Plan and recommend improvements as necessary.
  • Develop recommendations to inform DeSales’ strategic plan in order to meet students’ needs and achieve excellence in both undergraduate and graduate education.
  • Produce a Self-Study report that demonstratives compliance with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education accreditation.

Institutional Goals

  • Mission-forward actions 
  • Keenly focused enrollment growth 
  • Online learning throughout our programs 
  • A developed nexus between career and alumni development 
  • Effective utilization of our campus resources

Institutional Priorities

  • Excellence in the Student Experience – DeSales will enhance excellence in the holistic student experience, both inside and outside the classroom, in order to maximize the ability of all students to succeed at DeSales and beyond. 
  • Create a Sustainable Future – DeSales will promote institutional success and continuous improvement in a rapidly changing landscape by supporting strategic resource stewardship and agile adaptation. 
  • Foster/Sustain Inclusive Excellence – DeSales will cultivate a diverse, equitable, caring, and CONNECTED community that fosters institutional inclusion among students, staff, and faculty. 

Timeline

MonthEvent/Activity
August 2023 Self-Study Co-Chairs appointed
September - October 2023Invitations sent to serve on Steering Committee
October 2023Self-Study Institution Attendance
December 2023First Steering Committee Meeting/Working Group membership confirmed
January - April 2024Prepare Self-Study Design/Documentation Roadmap
April 2024Submit Draft of Design/Roadmap to MSCHE Liaison
May 2024MSCHE Liaison Visits to Meet with Group and Provides Feedback
June - July 2024Design/Documentation Roadmap Revised Per Liaison
August - September 2024Working Groups/Co-Chairs Meet/Gather Documents for Report
September 2024Co-Chairs/Working Groups Begin Evidence/Data Gathering/Interviews/Writing
September - November 2024Host Town Halls, Campus-wide Surveys, Continue Writing
December 2024Steering Committee Updates the Campus/Progress on the Self-Study
January 2025First Drafts of Chapters Due
January - May 2025Team Chair Selected and Confirmed/Visiting Team Assembled
April 2025Second Drafts Due on the Standards from Working Groups
May - June 2025Co-Chairs/Liaison Draft the Completed Self-Study
August - September 2025Begin Compliance Report Verification/Draft
September 2025Document Roadmap Repository and Evidence
September 2025Self-Study Draft Due to Accreditation Liaison
September 2025Needs Assessment of Middle States Process with Co-Chairs
September 2025Full Steering Committee Discuss Self-Study Draft
September 2025Submit Self-Study Draft to Team Chair
September 2025Share Document with Cabinet/Board
October 2025Submit Revised Self-Study to Campus and Solicit Feedback
October 2025Review Logistics of Team Visit
November 2025Disseminate Final Revised Self-Study Draft to Team Chair for Feedback
December 2025Final Draft Due; Prepare for Publication & Host Town Hall
December 2025 - January 2026Prepare Accommodations for the Site Team Members
January 2026Final Versions of Self-Study Produced; Sent to Visiting Team
February - March 2026Visiting Team Comes to Campus/Interviews/Reviews Evidence
June 2026Middle States Commission Meets to Determine Accreditation Action

Questions and Input

Submit questions, share suggestions or other input about DeSales University’s Self-Study process to the University’s Steering Committee via email at middlestates@desales.edu.

“Be who you are and be that well.”

– St. Francis de Sales