Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Our accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education is a testament to our unwavering commitment to academic excellence, continuous improvement, and the success of our students.
The Middle States accreditation is a voluntary process that signifies our adherence to MSCHE's rigorous standards, encompassing all aspects of our institution—from teaching and learning to governance and administration. This accreditation guarantees our students, their families, and the wider community of DeSales University's steadfast adherence to the utmost standards of academic quality and ethical conduct.
DeSales received full and unconditional accreditation in 2018 and has begun preparing for reaccreditation in 2026. Through self-study, peer review, and adherence to MSCHE standards, we continually strive to exceed expectations, foster innovation, and prepare our students for a lifetime of success.
As we look to the future, DeSales University remains committed to embodying the values and principles that MSCHE stands for, ensuring that we provide an education that is both meaningful and transformative.
Steering Committee & Working Groups
- Rev. Kevin Nadolski, OSFS, Ph.D., Vice President of Mission
- Tom McNamara, Executive Director of Communications
- Eric Hagan, Ed.D., Director, Center for Teaching Excellence, Interim Director of Education Leadership
- Nick Luchko, Associate Dean of Students
- Bobbie Morici, MSPAS, Assistant Program Director, Physician Assistant
- Stephen Carp, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Sara Hayik, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Chemistry/Physics
- Terese Wignot, Ph.D., Provost
- Julia Mayo, MFA, CO-CHAIR, Chair, Associate Professor of Dance
- Lisa Plummer, Ed.D., Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Research
- Sue McGorry, Ph.D., CO-CHAIR, Assistant Provost and Professor of Marketing
- Rev. Kevin Nadolski, OSFS, Ph.D., CHAIR, Vice President of Mission
- Kim Karpinsk, Director of Data Management, Institutional Advancement
- Jamie Gerhart, Executive Director of Community Service
- Rodney Howsare, Ph.D., Chair, Professor of Theology
- Julie Himmelberger, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biochemistry
- Tom Mantoni, Registrar
- Deb Whittaker, Ed.D., Chair of Nursing
- Carrie Ellis, DPT, CO_CHAIR, Chair of Sport and Exercise Physiology
- Tom McNamara, CHAIR, Executive Director of Communications
- Ann Marie Houck, CO-CHAIR, Chair of Mathematics/Computer Science
- Jennifer Bunting, Associate Dean of Students
- Allen Heckman, MSPAS, Chair of Medical Studies
- Bob Blumenstein, Ph.D., Associate Provost
- Angelica Silva, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Humanities
- Jordan Loeb, Director of Admissions
- Ron Nordone, Dean of Graduate Studies
- Scott Mattingly, Ed.D., Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education
- Michael Yergey, Assistant Dean of Adult Studies
- Brennan Pursell, Ph.D., Director of Data Analytics
- Eric Hagan, Ed.D., Director, Center for Teaching Excellence, Interim Director of Education Leadership
- Ted Masthay, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Social Sciences
- Melanie Vallone, CHAIR, Director of Career Development Center
- Sara Hulse Kirby, Ph.D., CO-CHAIR, Chair and Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Theology
- Gracia Perelli, Associate Athletic Director
- Amy Best, CO-CHAIR, Chair of Theatre
- Carolyn Woodward, Assistant Director of Adult and Graduate Admissions
- Stacey Finney, Director of Academic Success Center
- Rev. Doug Burns, OSFS, Assistant Professor of Sport and Exercise Physiology
- Tom Greve ’24
- Nick Luchko, CHAIR, Associate Dean of Students
- Jessica Bedford, MFA, Assistant Professor of Performing Arts
- Wendy Kalamar, Associate Dean of Students Retention and Wellness
- Lisa Dietz, CO-CHAIR, Instruction and Assessment Librarian
- Alex Krupka, Associate Professor of Biology
- Mark Albert, Chief Information Officer
- Bobbie Morici, CHAIR, MSPAS, Assistant Program Director, Physician Assistant
- Carolyn Tiger, Director of Student Accessibility
- Karen Kent, Ph.D., Director of MBA
- Sean Griech, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Mike Sweetana, Chief Financial Officer
- Stephen Carp, Ph.D., CHAIR, Associate Professor, Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Deanne Fenstermacher, CO-CHAIR, Director of Finance
- Tahereh Hojjat, Ph.D., Chair of Economics
- Dan Villanti, Executive Director of Alumni Relations
- Fran Fasching, DNP, Assistant Professor of Nursing
- Ed Zimmerman, Director of Trexler Library
- Mike Gallagher, Chair of Accounting
- Lisa Plummer, Ed.D., Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Research
- Michele Mrazik, CO-CHAIR, Assistant Director of Trexler Library
- Sara Hayik, Ph.D., CHAIR, Assistant Professor, Chemistry/Physics
- Pete Rautzhan, Associate Vice President of Administration
- Joseph Leese, Ph.D., Professor of Biology
- Margie Grandinetti, Associate Vice President of Human Resources
- Tom Craig, Ph.D., Edward A. McCabe Chair of Business and Society
- Jeff Richter, Director of Campus Environment
- Mary Liz Doyle-Tadunni, Associate Dean, School of Nursing
Self-Study Design
Intended Outcomes
- Engage in an inclusive and transparent reflective self-evaluative process that actively seeks to involve members of the University community.
- Conduct an assessment of DeSales’ performance relative to the current Strategic Plan and recommend improvements as necessary.
- Develop recommendations to inform DeSales’ strategic plan in order to meet students’ needs and achieve excellence in both undergraduate and graduate education.
- Produce a Self-Study report that demonstratives compliance with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education accreditation.
Institutional Goals
- Mission-forward actions
- Keenly focused enrollment growth
- Online learning throughout our programs
- A developed nexus between career and alumni development
- Effective utilization of our campus resources
Institutional Priorities
- Excellence in the Student Experience – DeSales will enhance excellence in the holistic student experience, both inside and outside the classroom, in order to maximize the ability of all students to succeed at DeSales and beyond.
- Create a Sustainable Future – DeSales will promote institutional success and continuous improvement in a rapidly changing landscape by supporting strategic resource stewardship and agile adaptation.
- Foster/Sustain Inclusive Excellence – DeSales will cultivate a diverse, equitable, caring, and CONNECTED community that fosters institutional inclusion among students, staff, and faculty.
Timeline
| Month | Event/Activity |
| August 2023 | Self-Study Co-Chairs appointed |
| September - October 2023 | Invitations sent to serve on Steering Committee |
| October 2023 | Self-Study Institution Attendance |
| December 2023 | First Steering Committee Meeting/Working Group membership confirmed |
| January - April 2024 | Prepare Self-Study Design/Documentation Roadmap |
| April 2024 | Submit Draft of Design/Roadmap to MSCHE Liaison |
| May 2024 | MSCHE Liaison Visits to Meet with Group and Provides Feedback |
| June - July 2024 | Design/Documentation Roadmap Revised Per Liaison |
| August - September 2024 | Working Groups/Co-Chairs Meet/Gather Documents for Report |
| September 2024 | Co-Chairs/Working Groups Begin Evidence/Data Gathering/Interviews/Writing |
| September - November 2024 | Host Town Halls, Campus-wide Surveys, Continue Writing |
| December 2024 | Steering Committee Updates the Campus/Progress on the Self-Study |
| January 2025 | First Drafts of Chapters Due |
| January - May 2025 | Team Chair Selected and Confirmed/Visiting Team Assembled |
| April 2025 | Second Drafts Due on the Standards from Working Groups |
| May - June 2025 | Co-Chairs/Liaison Draft the Completed Self-Study |
| September 2025 | Document Roadmap Repository and Evidence |
| September 2025 | Self-Study Draft Due to Accreditation Liaison |
| September 2025 | Needs Assessment of Middle States Process with Co-Chairs |
| September 2025 | Full Steering Committee Discuss Self-Study Draft |
| September 2025 | Submit Self-Study Draft to Team Chair |
| September 2025 | Share Document with Cabinet/Board |
| October 2025 | Submit Revised Self-Study to Campus and Solicit Feedback |
| October 2025 | Review Logistics of Team Visit |
| November 2025 | Disseminate Final Revised Self-Study Draft to Team Chair for Feedback |
| December 2025 | Final Draft Due; Prepare for Publication & Host Town Hall |
| December 2025 - January 2026 | Prepare Accommodations for the Site Team Members |
| January 2026 | Final Versions of Self-Study Produced; Sent to Visiting Team |
| February - March 2026 | Visiting Team Comes to Campus/Interviews/Reviews Evidence |
| June 2026 | Middle States Commission Meets to Determine Accreditation Action |
Questions and Input
Submit questions, share suggestions or other input about DeSales University’s Self-Study process to the University’s Steering Committee via email at middlestates@desales.edu.