Dear Colleagues:
In just under a week, we will welcome a visiting team from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) as part of our reaffirmation of accreditation process. As I have mentioned in many of my open calls, this is a significant milestone in the life of the University, and your role in it is essential.
From April 6-9, a team of peer evaluators—colleagues from institutions across our region—will visit Monmouth to assess our performance in alignment with the MSCHE Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation. During their time on campus, they will engage with students, faculty, staff, trustees, and administrators. Their charge is to verify that Monmouth meets the rigorous expectations of accreditation, and to evaluate how effectively we advance academic excellence, support student success, and uphold inclusive access.
This visit is an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come—and to share our aspirations for the future. The evaluators will have examined our Self-Study Report, and will rely on authentic conversations to understand who we are as an institution. In preparation for their visit, it may be helpful for you to reflect on how your work connects to Monmouth’s mission, how you assess your outcomes, and how you contribute to our shared progress.
The visiting team may request additional meetings with individuals or groups; however, please mark your calendar for the Open Session on Monday, April 7 at 3:30 p.m. in Pollak Theatre, and the Oral Summary of the Team’s Findings on Wednesday, April 9 at 9:15 a.m. in the Great Hall Auditorium.
In preparation for the visit, I encourage you to explore the resources available on our MSCHE website, including our full Self-Study Report, the Self-Study Report Summary, and a site visit guide. These materials provide helpful context and key takeaways from our community-wide effort.
Reaffirmation of accreditation is more than a compliance exercise. It is a moment to share our distinctive qualities and to demonstrate the strength of our work. The evaluation team will see what I see every day—an extraordinary community that believes deeply in our mission and demonstrates it in action.
Thank you for the vital role you play in our success.
Sincerely,
Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President