Middle States Reaffirms Marywood University’s Accreditation Recognizing Institutional Excellence, Innovation, and Institutional Transformation

Marywood University has earned reaffirmation of its accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), a significant recognition of the University's academic excellence, institutional effectiveness, student-centered mission, and commitment to continuous improvement.

The Commission's action, taken on June 25, 2026, follows an extensive three-year institutional self-study and a comprehensive campus evaluation conducted by a peer review team from March 22–25, 2026. Following its review, the visiting team determined that Marywood meets all seven Middle States Standards for Accreditation and recognized the University for numerous accomplishments that distinguish its educational quality and institutional leadership.

Throughout its report, the evaluation team praised Marywood's deep commitment to mission integration, transparent governance, strong financial stewardship, collaborative leadership, student-centered culture, and strategic planning. The team also recognized the University's significant progress in institutional transformation, highlighting its commitment to innovation, accountability, and long-term sustainability while remaining firmly rooted in its Catholic identity and the mission of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Among the University's recognized accomplishments were:

• A deeply integrated, mission-driven culture that strengthens Marywood's identity and competitive position in higher education.
• Strong, independent governance and institutional leadership focused on academic quality and fiscal stewardship.
• A collaborative and transparent approach to shared governance and strategic decision-making.
• Significant progress in financial planning, accountability, and long-term institutional sustainability.
• A student-centered learning environment grounded in care, engagement, and holistic development.
• Meaningful innovation in mission integration, leadership development, strategic planning, and institutional effectiveness.

“We are incredibly proud of this reaffirmation,” said President Lisa A. Lori. “Middle States accreditation represents the highest level of institutional quality assurance, and this outcome reflects the extraordinary work of our faculty, staff, students, administrators, and Board of Trustees. The evaluation team recognized not only the strength of our academic programs, but also the remarkable transformation taking place across the University and our commitment to accountability, strategic planning, innovation, student success, and our enduring Catholic mission. This reaffirmation provides a strong foundation as we continue to build the next chapter of Marywood University's history.”

The accreditation review also acknowledged Marywood's growing culture of evidence-based decision-making and continuous improvement, while recognizing major investments in student success, academic assessment, governance, financial stewardship, and strategic planning. Alongside reaffirming accreditation, MSCHE requested a supplemental information report by August 14, 2028, documenting progress on several continuous improvement initiatives, including a comprehensive, data-informed review of Marywood's academic programs. The visiting team recommended that the University evaluate under-enrolled programs and align its academic portfolio with student demand, workforce needs, mission, and long-term institutional sustainability. This work is part of the standard expectations placed on colleges and universities nationwide, and Marywood’s ongoing program review efforts reflect the responsible, data-informed practices that accreditors and higher education leaders agree are essential for long-term institutional resilience. 

The University will continue building on these strengths as it advances its 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, Into the Future: Defining What’s Next, and pursues new opportunities for academic innovation, global engagement, and enrollment growth, with new innovative initiatives being announced this summer.

The next Middle States Self-Study evaluation visit will occur during the 2033 to 2034 academic year.