Middle States Institutional Self-Study 2028

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) self-study process is a comprehensive self-evaluation that MSCHE-accredited institutions undertake every eight years. The self-study requires institutions to assess educational quality, demonstrate compliance with the seven MSCHE standards, and identify areas of opportunity and improvement. Members of the Committee for Institutional Effectiveness (CIE) serve as evidence stewards for the working groups, supporting the identification, organization, and review of evidence. 

Towson University is currently conducting the Middle States Institutional Self-Study 2028 (self-study 2028) to reaffirm its MSCHE accreditation. The self-study process is an opportunity for TU to assess institutional effectiveness, celebrate achievements, and identify priorities that will strengthen the University and support continuous improvement. Through this collaborative process, the University shall demonstrate how it fulfills its mission, serves its students and community, and meets MSCHE’s Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation.

Institutional Priorities

The self-study will demonstrate institutional alignment to Towson University’s Mission, Strategic Plan and Presidential Priorities.

The self-study will focus on three cornerstones of President Mark Ginsberg’s presidential priorities that are anchored in the university's strategic plan:  

  • support holistic student success 
  • advance TU as a comprehensive research and teaching university  
  • elevate TU’s reputation for excellence  

Intended Outcomes of the Self-Study 

MSCHE requires institutions to articulate four outcomes of their self-study. TU’s outcomes for self-study 2028 are: 

  1. demonstrate how the institution currently meets the Commission’s Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation (Fourteenth Edition) and provides evidence by standard in alignment with the Evidence Expectations by Standard.   
  2. leverage periodic assessment through each standard, using assessment results for continuous improvement and innovation to ensure levels of quality for constituents and the attainment of the institution’s priorities, mission and goals.   
  3. engage the institutional community in an inclusive and transparent self-appraisal process, including analysis of a range of data, to ensure students are appropriately served, and institutional mission and goals are met.  
  4. demonstrate how the institution’s academic investments advance TU as a comprehensive teaching, learning and research university and position TU for a future with a national profile. 

TU Self-Study Committees

Executive Committee 

The Executive Committee is a subcommittee of both the Full Self-Study Committee and the Steering Committee. It provides overall leadership and coordination for the 2028 Self-Study process. The Executive Committee is co-chaired by: 

  • Clare Muhoro, Vice Provost, MSCHE Accreditation Liaison Officer
  • Rhodri Evans, Assistant Provost for Assessment, Accreditation and Compliance 
  • Tim Bibo, Director of Institutional Research 

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee is a subcommittee of the Full Self-Study Committee and consists of 19 members, including the Executive Committee, the co-chairs of each self-study working group, and two representatives from the tactical support team. The steering committee is charged with implementing the self-study design and overseeing working groups by coordinating analysis of supporting data and evidence and managing the drafting, review and finalization of the self-study report. The steering committee supports the executive committee in preparing for MSCHE evaluation team visits and in engaging the university community to promote participation and transparency throughout the self-study process.

Steering Committee Members

WG I Co-Chairs 

  • Erin Fehskens, Professor and Chair of the Department of English, College of Liberal Arts
  • Ardyss Russakis, Director of Business Engagement and Operations, Division of Business and Public Engagement 

Standard I: Mission and Goals  

The institution’s mission defines its purpose within the context of higher education, the students it serves, and what it intends to accomplish. The institution’s stated goals are clearly linked to its mission and specify how the institution fulfills its mission.  

WG II Co-Chairs 

  • Audra McMullen, Chair of the Academic Standards Committee and Professor of Communication Studies, College of Fine Arts and Communication
  • Jenn Mercer, Director of Community College and External Partnerships, Division of Enrollment Management 

Standard II: Ethics and Integrity  

Ethics and integrity are central, indispensable, and defining hallmarks of effective higher education institutions. In all activities, whether internal or external, an institution must be faithful to its mission, honor its contracts and commitments, adhere to its policies, and represent itself truthfully. 

WG III Co-Chairs 

  • Emily Bailey, TSEM Director and Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies, College of Liberal Arts 
  • Christian Koot, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs

Standard III: Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience  

An institution provides students with learning experiences that are characterized by rigor and coherence at all program, certificate, and degree levels, regardless of instructional modality. All learning experiences, regardless of modality, program pace/schedule, level, and setting are consistent with higher education expectations. 

WG IV Co-Chairs 

  • Elaine Lewis, Assistant Vice President for Academic Success, Division of Enrollment Management
  • Ming Tomayko, Associate Dean for Teaching and Student Success, Fisher College of Science and Mathematics 

Standard IV: Support of the Student Experience  

Across all educational experiences, settings, levels, and instructional modalities, the institution recruits and admits students whose interests, abilities, experiences, and goals are congruent with its mission and educational offerings. The institution commits to student retention, persistence, completion, and success through a coherent and effective support system sustained by qualified professionals, which enhances the quality of the learning environment, contributes to the educational experience, and fosters student success. 

WG V Co-Chairs 

  • Adam Jabbur, Associate Professor of English, College of Liberal Arts
  • Brianne Lauka, Director of Assessment, Office of the Provost 

Standard V: Educational Effectiveness Assessment  

Assessment of student learning and achievement demonstrates that the institution’s students have accomplished educational goals consistent with their program of study, degree level, the institution’s mission, and appropriate expectations for institutions of higher education. 

WG VI Co-Chairs 

  • Matt Chambers, Associate Provost for Administration and Finance, Office of the Provost
  • Michael Palmer, Associate Vice President for Administration and Finance, Division of Administration and Finance 

Standard VI: Planning Resources and Institutional Improvement  

The institution’s planning processes, resources, and structures are aligned with each other and are sufficient to fulfill its mission and goals, to continuously assess and improve its programs and services, and to respond effectively to opportunities and challenges.

WG VII Co-Chairs 

  • Daraius Irani, Vice President for Business and Public Engagement
  • Herbert Zhao, Professor of Economics, College of Business 

Standard VII: Governance, Leadership and Administration 

The institution is governed and administered in a manner that allows it to realize its stated mission and goals in a way that effectively benefits the institution, its students, and the other constituencies it serves. Even when supported by or affiliated with a related entity, the institution has education as its primary purpose, and it operates as an academic institution with appropriate autonomy. 

WG VIII Co-Chairs 

  • Timothy Bibo, Director, Institutional Research Office, Office of Institutional Research 
  • Erika Carlson-Hiles, University Registrar, Division of Enrollment Management 

Standard VIII: Verification of Compliance with Accreditation Relevant Federal Regulations 

Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) verifies institutional compliance with accreditation-relevant federal regulations established by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) under the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 during the self-study evaluation and at other times as required by the Commission.

  • Sarah Parker-Hughes, Director of Strategic Communications, Office of the Provost
  • Tanisha Peterkin, Assessment Coordinator, Office of the Provost 

Full Self-Study Committee

The Full Self-Study Committee consists of 58 members and includes representatives from the working groups, including working group members and co-chairs, as well as members of the Tactical Support Team. 

Self-Study Timeline

Self-Study Design: May 2026 to September 2026 

TU's steering committee creates the self-study design — blueprint for the self-study process — after engaging in the MSCHE Self-Study Institute. 

Self-Study Process: July 2024 to November 2028 

The working groups assess, evaluate and augment the established evidence inventory which will be used to assess the extent to which TU operations align with MSCHE standards and federal requirements.  The working groups draft the self-study report following this SWOT analysis.  

Evaluation Team Site Visit and MSCHE Action: Spring 2029 and Summer 2029 

An appointed team of peer evaluators visits TU to evaluate the evidence, interview stakeholders and determine compliance with MSCHE standards. Following the site visit, the MSCHE reviews TU's self-study report and the evaluation team's report to determine reaffirmation of accreditation.  

Accreditation Status

Details of Towson University's 2021 MSCHE Accreditation are available from the Status Statement of Accreditation Status.   

Contact Information 

Please direct self-study questions to: .