About Self-Study
Middle States accreditation is reviewed and reaffirmed through the process of self-study.
- Over the course of approximately two and one-half years, the faculty, staff, students, and administration of the institution collectively reflect and evaluate how the seven Standards for Accreditation, and Requirements for Affiliation, are met. This is captured in a self-study report, a detailed narrative compiling information, evidence-informed analysis, strengths and achievements, and recommendations for continuous improvement.
- The self-study report is reviewed by a group of peer evaluators from other colleges and universities who visit our campus to verify the content of the self-study, and form their own recommendations to the institution.
- Institutions also complete a document detailing compliance with a number of accreditation-relevant federal regulations.
All of this information is reviewed by the Middle States Commission in its decision regarding the institution's accreditation status.
Approach and Organization
Although each institution makes decisions about how to structure this process to fit their unique culture, MSCHE guidelines outline the elements of a successful self-study. Key among these is a clear and manageable timetable; the commitment and support of top leadership; an effective Steering Committee; engaged, informed Working Groups; and ample opportunities for campus-wide engagement and public comment.
Before beginning the self-study, institutions must prepare and submit a Design for Self-Study, which outlines the timetable, approach, and personnel involved; institutional priorities to be studied, along with other goals for the process; its connection to our Mission and Strategic Plan, and a thorough communications plan, among other things.
Contact Self-Study
If you have comments, suggestions, or other feedback to share for the self-study process, please email:
The self-study process is stewarded by a representative steering committee comprised of faculty, staff, administration, and students. The committee is chaired by a member of the faculty and administration, whose task is to lead this group in collaborative research, analysis, and reporting to evaluate compliance with MSCHE standards, address institutional priorities and research questions, and identify recommendations for improvement. This work culminates in the construction of the University's self-study report.
The Steering Committee Co-Chairs for the 2028 self-study are Dr. Michael Jenkins, Ph.D., and Dr. Sarah Kenehan, Ph.D. The co-chairs are assisted in this work by the University's MSCHE Accreditation Liaison Officer, who leads institutional accreditation and related compliance activities. Read more about these individuals below.
Self Study Steering Committee Co-Chair: Dr. Michael Jenkins, Ph.D.
Michael Jenkins, Ph.D. is a professor of Criminal Justice and chair of the Department of Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity, and Sociology. He received his bachelor's degree at the University of Scranton, where he majored in Criminal Justice and Philosophy, and his master's and doctoral degrees from Rutgers University. He has served as Director of Academics on the development of a Bachelor of Security Sciences program at the King Fahd Security College in Riyadh, where he led the design of a nationally accreditable and assessable curriculum, following the principles of constructive alignment and the structure of observed learning outcomes (SOLO) taxonomy. Dr. Jenkins developed and teaches the capstone course for the MS in Cybercrime Investigation and Cybersecurity. Rooted in the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm, it serves as a term-long summative assessment of students and an assessment of the master’s program. He is also spearheading the Cybercrime and Homeland Security program's application for certification as a Center for Academic Excellence by the National Security Agency.
Email: michael.jenkins@scranton.edu
Self Study Steering Committee Co-Chair: Dr. Sarah Kenehan, Ph.D.
Email: sarah.kenehan@scranton.edu
Accreditation Liaison Officer: Kate Yerkes
Kate Yerkes has served as the University's MSCHE accreditation officer since 2013. Kate is the Assistant Provost for Planning & Institutional Effectiveness at the University, and in this role is also responsible for institutional planning, assessment, and related compliance activities. In addition to her work in supporting the University's accreditation activities, Kate is also an experienced MSCHE evaluator, serving as a mid-point, compliance, and self-study peer review team member, most recently as vice chair for three team visits.
Email: kathryn.yerkes@scranton.edu