A Message from the President: Middle States Accreditation

August 16, 2019

Dear Members of the Villanova Community,

In Fall 2018, Villanova took initial steps in preparing for a self-study process seeking reaffirmation of the University’s accreditation with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). MSCHE, one of seven regional accreditors recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, is a non-governmental membership association that accredits more than 500 colleges and universities. The self-study process, an in-depth analysis that takes place every eight years, requires Villanova to review our programs, services, and operations in light of both our institutional mission and Middle States’ standards for accreditation and requirements of affiliation. The self-study process will result in a report documenting our strengths and offering recommendations for self-improvement, followed by a visit to Villanova by a Peer Evaluation Team in spring 2021.

We began the self-study process with the formation of the Leadership Team, comprised of tri-chairs—Dr. Jerusha Conner, Associate Professor in Education and Counseling; Kevin Grubb, Executive Director of the University Career Center and Assistant Vice Provost for Professional Development; and Dr. James Trainer, Associate Vice President and Executive Director of the Office of Planning and Institutional Research—and the self-study coordinator, Stephen Sheridan, Director of Accountability, Accreditation, and Assessment Services. Working with me, the Leadership Team established a Steering Committee with 24 members, which then helped form seven working groups—with more than 100 Villanovans all together—working on the self-study process.

An initial draft of a self-study design was completed this past spring and shared with Dr. Kushnood Haq, Vice President of Institutional Field Relations at the Middle States, who serves as MSCHE’s liaison to Villanova. Dr. Haq visited our campus in late April and met with me, the Provost, the Leadership Team, the Steering Committee, and representatives from the student body as well as faculty and staff. His feedback on our design was both constructive and positive. The Leadership Team then incorporated Dr. Haq’s suggestions into our design and submitted it for final approval, which we have now received.

While there is still much to do, I extend my heartfelt thanks and appreciation at this time to all those who have helped us reach this important milestone in the process, as well as to those whose efforts will support the accreditation in the coming years.

For more information and continuing updates about the self-study, visit Villanova’s Middle States Accreditation website.

Sincerely,

Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA
President