Middle States Review Process Underway at Marywood University

Marywood University is presently undergoing the Middle States accreditation process, which is a three-year process from start to finish. Institutions seeking re-accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), the regional accrediting body, must engage in a self-study process—basically, a review and summation of the University’s life.

Leading these efforts and Marywood's Steering Committee, as of Academic Year 2025-2026, is a team that includes:  Sheryl Lynn Sochoka, Director of Communications, who is serving as the Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO); Amanda Avery, MLIS, Associate Professor, Library Services, and Director of Academic Assessment; Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., President Emerita and Director of Special Projects; Dr. Ann Cerminaro-Costanzi, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Dr. Jeff Kegolis, Vice President for the Student Experience.

The Steering Committee, which provides leadership to the entire self-study process, consists of a core group of individuals representing various campus constituencies. There are working groups for each of the seven MSCHE Standards, including Marywood faculty, administrators, and staff who represent a broad range of institutional perspectives.

Marywood’s last Middle States accreditation renewal was received in 2016, and, at the time, the University was granted a 10-year reaccreditation through 2026. Following that 2016 review cycle, MSCHE changed its maximum accreditation term from 10 years to 8 years for all accredited institutions under its authority. The new cycle also includes an Annual Institutional Update (AIU) and a Mid-Point Peer Review (MPPR).  

In Fall 2023, Marywood launched its reaccreditation self-study process for the 2026 review cycle. Since then, groups of Marywood faculty, administrators, and staff have been conducting extensive institutional research, analysis, and reflection, and are currently in the process of drafting a comprehensive Self-Study Report. The final report will be peer-reviewed by MSCHE. Upon successful review, Marywood University will be reaccredited through 2034.

As a MSCHE-accredited institution, Marywood is expected to demonstrate compliance with the MSCHE Accreditation Standards and Requirements of Affiliation. MSCHE's newly updated standards emphasize alignment of institutional mission with priorities and planning, as well as the use of evidence and assessment with regards to resource allocation and stewardship. This process affords Marywood University, as a community, an opportunity to showcase how we continually strive to achieve our Core Value of Excellence, as well as our dedication to our Mission.

A draft of the Self-Study Design was submitted to MSCHE on March 13, 2024. Marywood’s MSCHE liaison visited campus on March 27, 2024, to meet with members of the Steering Committee and provide initial feedback and recommendations about the draft. A final Self-Study Design report was submitted to MSCHE on May 16, 2024. Marywood University’s Self-Study Design was well received, garnering additional recognition for the quality of the report by MSCHE, which requested the use of Marywood’s Self-Study Design as a model for its 2024 Self-Study Institute resource library.

During the Spring 2025 semester, Marywood University has been earnestly engaged in the self-study review process, inviting participation from the entire Marywood community, either as members of working groups or with participation in feedback sessions. A preliminary draft from the working groups is due on March 15, 2025, with final reports due by May 31, 2025.

After this, working groups will continue to meet and are available for input/follow-up, as the Self-Study Report is reviewed in Fall 2025 and finalized in early 2026. MSCHE Site Visits will also be scheduled late in the Fall 2025 semester (Chair) and during the Spring 2026 semester (Team). Updates and progress will be communicated to the campus community as they occur.

Update, June 2025: A Preliminary Site Visit from the MSCHE Team Chair will occur on December 1, 2025, and the MSCHE Team Site Visit is set for March 22-25, 2026.

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MU SELF-STUDY PROCESS