2020-23 Middle States Self-Study
Lebanon Valley College is in the initial phases of the self-study process for institutional reaccreditation with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, commonly referred to as MSCHE. The process will conclude with a MSCHE team visit during the Spring 2023 semester.
Please visit these pages regularly for updates.
About MSCHE
The Mid-Atlantic Region Commission on Higher Education, doing business as the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), was formally incorporated under Pennsylvania Commonwealth law on March 1, 2013. From its origins in 1919 through February 2013, the Commission was a unit of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and is now an independent corporation.
The Commission on Higher Education is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education to conduct accreditation and pre-accreditation (candidacy status) activities for institutions of higher education in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, including distance education and correspondence education programs offered at those institutions. MSCHE is also recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to accredit degree-granting institutions which offer one or more post-secondary educational programs of at least one academic year in length in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and other geographic areas in which the Commission conducts accrediting activities.
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.
About LVC’s MSCHE Self-Study
As LVC’s institutional accreditor, the MSCHE requires all member institutions to undergo a rigorous self-study examination every eight years. The College began the first phase of the current process in fall 2020, and will submit its final draft report to the Commission in fall 2022.
The process is an important, community-wide undertaking to help LVC identify strengths and uncover areas where it needs to do better. Ultimately, the work leads to continuous self-improvement, and engages students, faculty, staff, alumni, partners, community members, and friends in a collaborative and transparent final report.
- Demonstrate how the institution currently meets the Commission’s Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation
- Focus on continuous improvement in the attainment of the institution’s mission and its institutional priorities
- Engage the institutional community in an inclusive and transparent self-appraisal process that actively and deliberately seeks to involve members from all areas of the institutional community
- Complement and support our strategic planning process
- Develop a shared understanding across the campus community regarding institutional priorities and strategies leading to continuous improvement
- Strengthen student enrollment, persistence, and graduation rates.
- Ensure that all academic programs (graduate and undergraduate) are of high quality, meet current market demand, and are responsive to regional needs.
- Provide co-curricular programming that advances student growth and development.
- Develop a campus culture of inclusive excellence.
- Provide services that are attentive and student-centered.
The LVC Middle States Accreditation Executive Steering Committee and working groups welcome comments, feedback, and suggestions at any time during the process. Please complete this short form to share your feedback, comments, and suggestions.
Steering Committee & Working Groups
Dr. James M. MacLaren, President
Rick Beard, Director of Athletics
Dr. Monica Cowart, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
Shawn Curtin, Vice President of Finance and Administration
Dr. Laura Eldred, Associate Provost of Undergraduate Education; Director of Constellation LVC; Director of the Honors Program
Ann Hayes, Associate Vice President of Human Resources and Title IX Coordinator
Dr. Bob Mikus, Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Molly O’Brien-Foelsch, Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Dave Shapiro, Senior Director of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer
Dr. Susan Tammaro, Associate Provost
Matthew Weaver, Vice President of Advancement and Secretary of the College
Ed Wright, Vice President of Enrollment Management
Dr. Ken Yarnall, Chair and Associate Professor of Mathematical Sciences
Jasmine Bucher, Director of Educational Technology
Dr. Eva Frank, Assistant Professor of Athletic Training
Dr. Claudia Gazsi, Chair of Exercise Science and Associate Professor of Physical Therapy
Dr. Tom Hanrahan, Director of Campus Communications
Jen Liedtka, Service and Volunteerism Coordinator
Dr. Lou Manza, Chair and Professor of Psychology
Jeremy Maisto, Associate Dean of Academic Success and Registrar
Dr. Renee Norris, Associate Provost of Graduate and Professional Studies
Dr. Katie Oriel, Professor of Physical Therapy
Dr. Wally Patton, Chair of Chemistry and Physics
Jill Russell, Director of Global Education
Dave Shapiro, Senior Director of IT and CIO
Dr. Erica Unger, Associate Professor of Biology and Director of Neuroscience
Matt Weaver, Vice President of Advancement and Secretary of the College
Group 1: Mission and Goals
Co-Chairs—Dr. Eva Frank, Assistant Professor of Athletic Training, and Jen Liedtka, Service and Volunteerism Coordinator
Members—Sue Jones, Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement; Dr. Grant Taylor, Professor of Art & Art History; Hilary Yoh, Assistant Director of Admission; and Carol Brashear, Physical Therapy Department Assistant
Group 2: Ethics and Integrity
Co-Chairs—Dr. Erica Unger, Associate Professor of Biology and Director of Neuroscience, and Dr. Tom Hanrahan, Director of Campus Communications
Members—Becky Hearsey, Assistant Director of Alumni and College Relations; Rachel Brunner, Associate Director of HR, Benefits and HRIS; Jani Mitchell, Junior Financial Analyst; Dr. Chris Dolan, Professor of Political Science; and Dr. Stan Dacko, Associate Professor of Physical Therapy
Group 3: Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience
Co-Chairs—Dr. Claudia Gazsi, Chair of Exercise Science and Associate Professor of Physical Therapy, and Jasmine Bucher, Director of Educational Technology
Members—Sarah Bartz, Director of Academic Success; Mike Zeigler, Director of Client Services; Donna Griffith, Director of Graduate and Professional Studies; Dr. Alan Walker, Assistant Professor of Exercise Science; Dr. Lindsey Koch, Assistant Professor of Education; and Dr. M.J. Bishop, Trustee
Group 4: Support of the Student Experience
Co-Chairs—Jill Russell, Director of Global Education, and Dr. Wally Patton, Chair of Chemistry and Physics
Members—Dr. John Hinshaw, Professor of History; Beth Julian, Assistant Dean of Student Success and Retention; Mary Gardner, Aquatics Director and Head Swim Coach; Kendra Feigert, Director of Financial Aid; E.J. Smith, Associate Director of Admission and Recruitment; Jen Evans, Director of Student Engagement; Dr. Deanna Dodson, Professor of Psychology; and Dr. Kimberlee Josephson, Associate Dean of Bren Center for Graduate Success & Associate Professor of Business Administration
Group 5: Effectiveness Assessment
Co-Chairs—Dr. Lou Manza, Chair and Professor of Psychology, and Jeremy Maisto, Associate Dean of Academic Success and Registrar
Members—Jason Gamble, Director of Enterprise Information Systems; Natalia Smith, Breen Center Assistant; Melissa Byler, Director of LVC Sports Center; Dr. Jeff Laferriere, Assistant Professor of Education and Director of Secondary Education; and Dr. Tim Peelen, Associate Professor of Chemistry
Group 6: Planning, Resources and Institutional Improvement
Co-Chairs—Dr. Katie Oriel, Professor of Physical Therapy, and Dave Shapiro, Senior Director of IT and CIO
Members—Heidi Deitz, Assistant Registrar; Mike Mumper, Director of Facilities Management; Brynn Mason, Director of the Breen Center; Joe Martellaro, Director of Gift Planning; Wendy Albert, Sr. Director of Finance and Chief Budget Officer; Serena Stauffer. Application Records Coordinator; Dr. Stephanie Blanda, Assistant Professor of Mathematical Science; and Joe Rilatt, Trustee
Group 7: Governance, Leadership, and Administration
Co-Chairs—Dr. Renee Norris, Associate Provost of Graduate and Professional Studies, and Matt Weaver, Vice President of Advancement and Secretary of the College
Members—Andrea Haldeman, Advancements and Stewardship Coordinator; Alisa Grove, IT Business Operations Manager; Stacey Hollinger Associate Director of Athletics, Deputy Title IX Coordinator, and Senior Women’s Administrator; Dr. Chris Heffner, Associate Professor of Music and Director of The Pride of the Valley Marching Band; and Elyse Rogers, Trustee