Middle States Institutional Self-Study 2021

Towson University engaged in a comprehensive, institutional reaccreditation self-study. This was an opportunity to reflect on institutional successes and to identify strategies for continued improvement. The culmination of this self-study process results in reaffirmation of the institution’s accreditation.

Towson University's Self-Study, following a standards-based approach, will address the following priorities:

  • Academic Excellence
  • Student Success
  • Institutional Equity and Diversity

View the Towson University Re-accreditation Self-Study 2021 for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (PDF).

The Self-Study Steering Committee provided regular reports on the Self-Study via this page and other communications. The Steering Committee constitutes the Executive Committee and the Co-Chairs of each Work Group. 

The Self-Study Executive Committee led coordination of the re-accreditation Self-Study. 

  • Westley Forsythe, Director of Accreditation and Compliance Services (Co-Chair)
  • S. Maggie Reitz, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs (Co-Chair)
  • Tab Uhrich, Associate Dean College of Health Professions, and Associate Professor (Co-Chair)

Work Group One: Mission and Goals 

  • Greg Faller, Associate Dean, College of Fine Arts and Communication, Professor, Electronic Media and Film
  • Laila Richman, Associate Dean, and Associate Professor College of Education

Work Group Two: Ethics and Integrity

  • Nancy Dufau, Assistant Vice President, Office of Sonsored Research Programs
  • Sara Slaff, Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel 

Work Group Three: Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience

  • Carol Caronna, Acting Associate Dean, College of Liberal Arts, Professor, Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice
  • Bob Giordani, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management 

Work Group Four: Support of the Student Experience 

  • Chris Cain, Chair and Professor, English 
  • Matthew Lenno, Assistant Vice-President, Campus Life

Work Group Five: Educational Effectiveness Assessment

  • Jeffrey Kenton, Associate Professor, Educational Technology and Literacy  
  • Leticia Romo, Director of Academic Assessment and Associate Professor, Foreign Languages

Work Group Six: Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement

  • Dorothy Proctor, Associate Director, University Budget Office
  • Carol Wettersten, Assistant to the Vice-President Administration and Finance

Work Group Seven: Governance, Leadership, and Administration 

  • Jennifer Ballengee, Chair, Academic Senate and Professor, English
  • Jeff Schmidt, Associate Vice President & CIO

Work Group Eight: Verification of Compliance with Accreditation Relevant Federal Regulations

  • Timothy Bibo, Director, Institutional Research Office
  • Sara Sides, Director, Registrar’s Office

Self-Study Timeline 

The process includes three phases: 

Self-Study Design: March 2019 to September 2019

Self-Study Process: September 2019 to April 2021

Evaluation Team Site Visit: Fall 2021 

The MSCHE reaffirmation decision will be available in November 2021. 

View the Self-Study 2021 Timeline (PDF). 

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

The Self-Study Objectives are: 

  • A. Demonstrate how TU achieves the MSCHE standards for accreditation and requirements of affiliation, and verification of compliance with accreditation relevant federal regulations.
  • Evaluate academic programs’ and administrative services’ quality and effectiveness.
  • Identify opportunities for improvement, and make realistic and meaningful recommendations for enhancements. 
  • Foster continued development of a campus wide culture of assessment and continuous improvement.

Please direct Self-Study questions to:

Westley Forsythe, Director of Accreditation and Compliance Services
Office of the Provost
410-704-3312