The Middle States Accreditation and Review Process & the ESC Self-Study Center for Distance Learning Craig Lamb – Director of Academic Support Val Chukhlomin – BME Faculty

What is “Middle States”? Middle States Commission on Higher Education is a unit of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Middle States is the body that accredits degree-granting colleges and universities in the “ Middle States ” region (DE, DC, MD, NJ, NY, PA, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and some locations internationally.)

The Middle States Focus… The Commission is a voluntary, non- governmental, membership association that defines, maintains, and promotes educational excellence across institutions with diverse missions, student populations, and resources. It examines each institution as a whole, rather than specific programs within institutions. Institutions are reviewed and evaluated using the Middle States “ Characteristics of Excellence ”

Characteristics of Excellence Mission & Goals Planning, Resource Allocation, & Institutional Renewal Institutional Resources Leadership & Governance Administration Integrity Institutional Assessment Faculty Student Admissions & Retention Student Support Services Educational Offerings General Education Related Educational Activities Assessment of Student Learning

Why is this Accreditation Important? The US Department of Education requires that an institution is accredited by a regional or national accreditation body for their students to receive federal funding (loans, grants, etc.) The US Department of Education reviews all accrediting organizations every 5 years

The accreditation process… Institutions are typically reviewed every 5 years (more frequent if special circumstances require more frequent evaluations) The most comprehensive evaluation is the “Self-Study,” which usually takes place every 10 years. ESC is currently preparing its Self- Study for review by a Middle States visitation team

The Middle States “Self-Study” At ESC, the Self-Study process first begins with the local Self-study (Jan 08) July Local self-studies are completed and submitted to the college- wide Middle States Steering Committee July 08 – August 09 – Middle States Steering Committee drafts the final college self-study, consulting with larger college community throughout (ex: All College) This is a 2 year process, with the Middle States Review Team coming in the Fall of 2009.

The CDL Self-Study Began January 2008 with a meeting of the Dean, the CDL Planning Committee, the co- chairs, and various faculty and staff The meetings resulted in a structure that would allow CDL to reflect upon our last 10 years, within the context of the Middle States Characteristics of Excellence

What is CDL reflecting on? The transition to a completely online environment The tremendous growth and changing composition of our student population, and how we as a center are supporting this development The continued development of our faculty (full time, part- time & adjunct) and staff (professional & clerical) Existing assumptions about our diverse student population, their needs/wants, and approaches to help ensure their success New and developing ways to use and integrate technology, to enhance our students learning experience

Questions… … for you! … for us!