Strategic Priority: Accreditation

About the Accreditation Strategic Priority

The Accreditation Strategic Priority provides assurance to students, employers, and the public that the institution meets recognized standards of excellence. It also supports eligibility for federal financial aid, facilitates the transfer of academic credits, strengthens public trust, and encourages evidence-based planning and decision-making.

The Accreditation Priority Team works to help ensure that accreditation is not simply maintained during review cycles but is embedded in the University’s ongoing culture of assessment, accountability, and institutional effectiveness. This framing shifts the focus from “checking boxes for accreditation” to “using accreditation as a tool for institutional excellence,” aligning with the philosophy behind institutional accreditation.

PURPOSE: Lead and coordinate institutional accreditation activities that advance a culture of continuous quality improvement and demonstrate the University’s commitment to academic excellence, student success, educational effectiveness, transparency, accountability, and the fulfillment of its mission and strategic priorities.

MISSION: Provide support and oversight for institutional and programmatic accreditation, including compliance with the New England Commission of Higher Education NECHE and professional accrediting bodies, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement, evidence-based assessment, and institutional excellence.

VISION: Maintain the reputation as a university recognized for a culture of excellence, accountability, collaboration, and continuous quality improvement, where institutional and programmatic accreditation reflect a sustained commitment to educational quality, student success, institutional effectiveness, and mission fulfillment.

Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: Monitor and support continuous accreditation readiness

Objectives

• Monitor compliance with NECHE standards and professional accreditation across the University throughout the accreditation cycle.
• Contribute to evidence collection and documentation.
• Track progress on recommendations from previous accreditation reviews and institutional assessments.

Goal 2: Promote continuous improvement and institutional effectiveness

Objective

• Foster a culture where assessment is used to enhance quality rather than solely for compliance.

Goal 3: Strengthen campus engagement and accountability

Objectives

• Increase awareness of institutional and professional accreditation and their relevance across the University.
• Facilitate collaboration among academic and administrative units to ensure ongoing accreditation readiness.
• Provide guidance, resources, and communication to ensure shared responsibility for accreditation and institutional quality.