As part of IUP’s process of reaffirmation of accreditation through the comprehensive Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) Self-Study process, faculty, staff, and students are invited to an open meeting with MSCHE’s Dr. Paul Starkey, vice president, Institutional Field Relations, MSCHE. This visit is designed by MSCHE officials to help prepare the institution to conduct a useful self-study and host a successful Evaluation Team Visit.
During his visit to the university, Dr. Starkey will meet with a number of university stakeholders, including the IUP Council of Trustees and the IUP MSCHE steering committee.
The visit is part of the timeline of activities scheduled for the next three years, culminating in the 2025 full MSCHE Affirmation of Reaccreditation Team visit to IUP.
Maintaining ongoing accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) is one of the vitally important ways IUP serves students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the community. Full university participation in this important initiative is an essential part of the university’s successful self-study and the reaffirmation of accreditation process.
Accreditation demonstrates external validation that IUP upholds the MSCHE Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation in all respects—academic programs, faculty and staff expertise, campus services, finances, governance, and more. Accreditation is also a required step for IUP students to receive federal grants and student loans and facilitates student credit transfer and can be required for some graduate schools and employees considering IUP graduates.
Similar to the last reaffirmation of accreditation cycle, the 2025 MSCHE Self Study accreditation process requires evaluation of all aspects of the institution holistically and will require significant collaboration and input from the entire campus community.
Specifically, Dr. Starkey’s visit is designed to:
- learn more about the current status of the institution;
- discuss the priorities identified by the institution and find the most appropriate means of addressing them through the self-study process;
- acquaint those who will have crucial roles in the self-study with the Commission’s expectations and available resources;
- discuss and offer feedback on the institution’s draft Self-Study Design; and
- otherwise assist with the institution’s preparations for self-study and peer review.
Updates on IUP’s reaffirmation of accreditation process will be shared via email and on the Middle States Accreditation webpage.