Cheyney University Middle States Update

December 30, 2021

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The Self-Study Working Groups completed their Fall 2021 Semester activities by submitting draft Self-Study Chapter Outlines to the Steering Committee during the first two weeks of December.  These draft Chapter Outlines are a significant milestone in the self-study process as the Outlines demonstrate accomplishments at this stage of the self-study process and provide a framework for addressing remaining gaps.   As a result, the draft Chapter Outlines provide the foundation for the structure of the self-study report.  The Outlines also provide Working Groups members the opportunity to assess their progress with a written submission.

The members of the Middle States Strategic Coordinator Group (SCG) led by the Self-Study Co-Chairs and Middle States Coordinator are completing their review of the draft Chapter Outlines.  The SCG members will respond to each Working Group with written comments and suggestions.  The Middle States Self-Study Evidence Manager, Dr. Carolyn Hall, with the assistance of the SCG, continues to facilitate the Working Groups’ evidence requests.  Dr. Hall also is organizing the  University’s Evidence Inventory.

Using a common template, Working Group members will continue to develop answers to each line of inquiry for their respective draft Chapter submission in February with references to specific material and processes.  Working Group members continue to meet the deadlines established in the University’s Self-Study Design.

The Self-Study Co-Chairs, Kizzy Morris, University Provost and Chief Academic Officer and Erika Shehata, Executive Director of Institutional Research and Communications met with the Cheyney University Council of Trustees on December 6, 2021, to present the University’s Plan for a Successful Self-Study.

Five members of the Cheyney University Middle States Self-Study Executive Leadership Team (ELT) attended the virtual MSCHE 2021 Annual Conference, New Horizons for Higher Education, on December 14 and 15, 2021.  The Conference included sessions regarding assessment processes, governance, approaches to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and a periodic review of MSCHE Mission and Standards.  The ELT will report Conference highlights to the Steering Committee during the next meeting.

At the beginning of the Spring 2022 Semester, students, alumni, and Trustees will be joining the University’s Steering Committee and Self-Study Working Groups.  Throughout the 2022 Semester, the Steering Committee and Self-Study Working Groups will be soliciting information and welcoming feedback from all areas of the University community as the Steering Committee and Working Groups continue to collect evidence and draft the self-study report.

Submitted by Ms. Kizzy Morris, Cheyney University Self-Study Co-Chair, and Ms. Erika Shehata, Cheyney University Self-Study Co-Chair, on behalf of the Middle States Self-Study Steering Committee.

 

Cheyney University Middle States Update

December 08, 2021

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Please click here to view the Self-Study Overview Presentation the Co-Chairs presented to the Council of Trustees.

 

Cheyney University Middle States Update

November 10, 2021

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As part of their assessment process, members of Cheyney University’s Self-Study Working Groups submitted Interim Progress Reports to the Steering Committee by the end of October. The Progress Reports included discussions of the Group’s methods and strategies for completing their charges, collaboration with other Working Groups, and the Group’s Initial Analytical Report with regards to their Group’s Lines of Inquiry. Working Group Reports also included an Updated Evidence Inventory and concerns and/or suggestions to the Steering Committee.

The members of the Middle States Strategic Coordinator Group (SGC) reviewed the Interim Progress Reports and associated Evidence Inventories at the Group’s biweekly meeting on November 4, 2021. Based on the Interim Progress Reports, each Working Group is focused on meeting its assignment in a thorough and timely manner.

As stated in the University’s Self-Study Design, the SGC is responsible for managing evidence concerns raised by the Working Groups and encouraging collaboration among Working Groups to reduce duplication of efforts when MSCHE Standards and criteria, MSCHE Requirements of Affiliation, Self-Study Institutional Priorities and Cheyney University Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives overlap. The Middle States Self-Study Evidence Manager, Dr. Carolyn Hall, with the assistance of the SGC, also is organizing the University’s Evidence Inventory and facilitating Working Group evidence requests.

On November 7, 2021, the Self-Study Co-Chairs Provost Kizzy Morris and Executive Director Erika Shehata and the Middle States Coordinator Dr. Janet Manspeaker responded to each of the Working Groups with written comments and suggestions on behalf of the SGC The Co-Chairs, Coordinator and other members of the SCG also have been attending Working Group Meetings to discuss the next stages of the self-study process. Members of the SGC will report their findings to the Steering Committee and President Walton on November 15, 2021.

Working Groups are now refining their analyses of the University’s compliance with Middle States (MSCHE) Standards and Requirements of Affiliation and associated criteria in addition to related Cheyney University Strategic Goals and Objectives. As an example, several Working Groups plan to interview key University decision makers and experts and use information gathered from student focus groups this month. On December 3, Working Group members will submit their draft Chapter Outline to the Steering Committee as the initial step in developing the University’s Self-Study Report.

Submitted by Ms. Kizzy Morris, Cheyney University Self-Study Co-Chair, and Ms. Erika Shehata, Cheyney University Self-Study Co-Chair, on behalf of the Middle States Self-Study Steering Committee.

 

Cheyney University Middle States Update

October 15, 2021

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On September 22, 2021, Dr. Christy Faison, the Middle States Commission Senior Vice President for Accreditation Relations, conducted Cheyney University’s Self-Study Preparation Visit.  During her virtual visit, Dr. Faison met with President Aaron Walton and the Cheyney University Self-Study Steering Committee to discuss the University’s Self-Study Design and important elements of the Self-Study process and report. In the afternoon, Dr. Faison hosted a Webinar for the University Community to explain the accreditation process, discuss the role of faculty, staff, and students in the self-study process, and answer questions.  Dr. Faison concluded her visit with an exit interview with the Self-Study Co-Chairs, Provost Kizzy Morris and Executive Director Erika Shehata and the Middle States Coordinator, Dr. Janet Manspeaker.  

Dr. Faison reported her findings in a letter to President Walton dated September 24, 2021.  Dr. Faison stated the Cheyney University Self-Study Design draft was in very good shape with appropriate Self-Study Institutional Priorities and beneficial Self-Study Intended Outcomes, which are well aligned with Middle States Standards.  Dr. Faison also offered a few helpful collegial suggestions for the University’s Self-Study process. 

Members of the Middle States Self-Study Strategic Coordinator Group completed targeted Self-Study Design revisions corresponding to Dr. Faison’s suggestions after the visit.  The Self-Study Co-Chairs distributed the new draft of the Self-Study Design to the Steering Committee on October 4, 2021.  Following approval by the members of the Steering Committee, Executive Director Shehata, the Middle States Liaison, submitted the revised Self-Study Design to Dr. Faison on October 8, 2021.   

Dr. Faison, representing the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, formally accepted the University’s Self-Study Design in an email to President Walton dated October 11, 2021.  The Self-Study Design will be presented to the Steering Committee on October 18, 2021, and then distributed to the University Community. 

Members of Cheyney University’s Self-Study Working Groups continue to assess the University’s compliance with Middle States (MSCHE) Standards and Requirements of Affiliation and associated criteria.  Working Group members also are assessing related Cheyney University Strategic Goals and Objectives.  Working Group members will continue to review evidence requirements for their respective research assignments and submit requisite evidence requests throughout the Fall Semester.  Working Groups Chairs will submit Interim Progress Reports to the Steering Committee by October 29, 2021.   

Throughout the Self-Study, the Cheyney University Steering Committee and Self-Study Working Groups will be engaging the University community in an inclusive and transparent self-appraisal process that actively and deliberately seeks to involve members from all areas of the University community. 

Submitted by Ms. Kizzy Morris, Cheyney University Self-Study Co-Chair, and Ms. Erika Shehata, Cheyney University Self-Study Co-Chair, on behalf of the Middle States Self-Study Steering Committee 

 

Cheyney University Middle States Update

September 16, 2021

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At the beginning of the Fall Semester, Working Groups Chairs and Evidence Administrators submitted their respective Lines of Inquiry and initial Evidence Inventory Reports to the Middle States Self-Study Steering Committee. On September 3, 2021, the Self-Study Co-Chairs, Provost Morris and Executive Director Shehata, submitted the second draft of the Self-Study Design to the University’s Middle States Liaison, Dr. Christy Faison on behalf of the Steering Committee.

Cheyney University is now entering the analytical phase of the Institution’s self-study process. During this stage, Working Group members will continue to review evidence requirements for their respective research assignments and submit requisite evidence requests. Members of Working Groups are prepared to begin to assess the University’s compliance with Middle States (MSCHE) Standards and Requirements of Affiliation and associated criteria and related Cheyney University Strategic Goals and Objectives using evidence they have collected.

As stated in the University’s Self-Study Design, the Steering Committee, through the Self-Study Co-Chairs and the Self-Study leadership groups, have developed a clearly defined framework to support Working Group activities.

Working Groups are using Microsoft Teams to post documents, communicate, and hold meetings with the assistance of the Middle States Technology Coordinator, Mr. Chris Brown, the University’s Executive Director of the Office of Information Technology.

The Middle States Communication Coordinator, Ms. Lauren Moffett, the Associate Director of University Communications & Technology is helping Working Groups handle communication issues, including scheduling meeting. Ms. Moffett also is distributing Self-Study communiques to the University Community.

Dr. Carolyn Hall, the University’s Coordinator of Assessment and Continuous Improvement is serving as the Self-Study Evidence Manager. Dr. Hall is coordinating evidence requests and developing the University’s Evidence Inventory.

Dr. Janet Manspeaker continues to monitor the University’s Self-Study activities as the Middle States Coordinator in conjunction with the Self-Study Co-Chairs. Associate Provost Gregory Smith and Ms. Moffett also are assisting the Self-Study Co-Chairs.

On September 22, Cheyney University’s Middle States Liaison, Dr. Christy Faison will be conducting a virtual visit to campus to discuss the University’s Self-Study process. During the morning, Dr. Faison will meet with President Walton, members of the Steering Committee, and members of the University’s Council of Trustees. From 1:30 to 2:30 in the afternoon, Dr. Faison will host a Webinar for the University Community to explain the accreditation process, discuss the role of faculty, staff, and students, and answer questions. The Webinar is an open session for Cheyney University students, faculty, and staff. Dr. Faison will conclude her visit to the University with an Exit Briefing for the Co-Chairs of the Steering Committee.

Submitted by Ms. Kizzy Morris, Cheyney University Self-Study Co-Chair, and Ms. Erika Shehata, Cheyney University Self-Study Co-Chair, on behalf of the Middle States Self-Study Steering Committee

 

Cheyney University Middle States Update

September 1, 2021

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The Cheyney University Middle States Self-Study process is proceeding according to the University’s Reaffirmation of Middle States Accreditation Timeline.  The University’s Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Kizzy Morris, and the University’s Executive Director of Institutional Research, Erika Shehata, are serving as Co-Chairs for the Self-Study. Executive Director Shehata also is the Cheyney University Middle States Accreditation Liaison Officer. The Co-Chairs attended the virtual MSCHE Self-Study Institute in November 2020.

The University has created a  Steering Committee and seven Working Groups composed of faculty, staff and administrators who responded to requests for participation in the self-study.  The Steering Committee is responsible for providing leadership throughout the self-study process.  The Seven Working Groups correspond to the seven Middle States Standards of Accreditation.

The Self-Study Steering Committee and its Executive Leadership Team met several times during the summer to construct a Self-Study Design, which is the roadmap for the University’s self-study process.  On July 15, Cheyney University officially began the implementation self-study process with a joint Steering Committee and Working Group Meeting to discuss the Self-Study Timeline and expectations.  Fifty-four members of the Steering Committee and Working Groups attended the meeting, which included Working Group breakout sessions. During July and August, several Working Groups met virtually using Microsoft TEAMs to discuss their research responsibilities and to collect relevant evidence.

The Self-Study Co-Chairs and Coordinator distributed the first draft of the Cheyney University Self-Study Design to the University community via email for review and suggestions on August 10, 2021.  Following revisions, the Steering Committee approved the second draft of the Self-Study Design on September 1, 2021.

On September 22, Cheyney University’s Middle States Liaison, Dr. Christy Faison will be conducting a virtual visit to campus to discuss the University’s Self-Study process.  The Self-Study Co-Chairs are completing the agenda for this important visit.  The Self-Study Co-Chairs, on behalf of the Steering Committee, will submit Cheyney University’s draft Self-Study Design to Dr. Faison on September 3, 2021.

The University community will conduct its analyses during this academic year.  Working Groups will meet at least two times a month to gather and analyze evidence that demonstrates the University’s compliance with the Middle States Commission’s Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation. Working Group members also will assess the degree to which the University is fulfilling its Mission and the 2018-2022 Cheyney University Strategic Plan.   The results of the University’s Self-Study process will include findings based on evidence that the University will use to focus on continuous improvement to meet the needs of its students.  The findings also will inform the new Cheyney University Strategic Plan.

 

Submitted by Ms. Kizzy Morris, Cheyney University Self-Study Co-Chair, and Ms. Erika Shehata, Cheyney University Self-Study Co-Chair, on behalf of the Middle States Steering Committee