1. 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

2. 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.)

3. 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” Excellence www.msche.org

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. The Middle States “Self-Study” • At ESC, the Self-Study process first begins with the local Self-study (Jan 08) • July 2008 - 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. Questions… … for us! … for you!