MSCHE2022: Building a Stronger Drexel Together

From the fall of 2019 to the spring of 2022, Drexel University will undertook a reflective, deep dive through the self-study process in preparation for an accreditation review from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).The Steering Committee created a self-study document that analyzed every aspect of Drexel as directed by the MSCHE Standards of Accreditation. MSCHE provides the following summary of the standards: “An accredited institution of higher education has an appropriate mission (STI), lives it with integrity (STII), delivers an effective student learning experience (STIII) and supports the overall student experience, both inside and outside of the classroom (STIV).  An accredited institution of higher education also assesses its own educational effectiveness (STV), uses planning and resources to ensure institutional improvement (STVI), and is characterized by effective governance, leadership, and administration (STVII).”

The self-study process provided an opportunity to review all aspects of the university such as our mission and goals, the academic experience as well the leadership and governance of the University.  Each of the eight committees was be led by a staff and faculty co-chair who were charged with creating a narrative and collecting evidence about how Drexel meets each criteria within the specific standard or the Verification of Compliance.  This was accomplished by collecting information/data and interviewing/surveying key stakeholders throughout the campus.  The self-study document went through multiple reviews throughout the creation process.  

MSCHE created a site visit team of peer evaluators from other colleges/universities to review the self-study and conduct a virtual site visit that took place on April 3-6.  This included meetings with hundreds of Drexel faculty, professional staff and students to gain a better understanding of the self-study and answer any lingering questions.  The site visit team created a preliminary report that was reviewed by Drexel for accuracy and then submitted to the Commission for the final confirmation.  After reviewing the preliminary report and reading the Institutional Response from the University, accreditation has been reaffirmed until the 2029-30 academic year.

This has been a difficult but necessary journey for the University that was possible because of the cooperation across all areas as well as the amazing members of the Steering Committee and Working Groups.  All of their effort was in addition to their normal job duties with no extra compensation.  Congratulations to all of those involved and to the University as a whole.  

Sincerely,

Rena Cumby - MSCHE 2022 Steering Committee Co-Chair
Associate Professor IDEC, EDRA: Department of Architecture, Design & Urbanism, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design & Chair: Senate Committee on Academic Affairs

Joseph Hawk - MSCHE 2022 Steering Committee Co-Chair
Executive Director: Office of Assessment & Accreditation & Accreditation Liaison Officer for Middle States Commission on Higher Education