Accreditation Renewal For Gannon University From The Middle States Commission
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education fully reaffirmed Gannon University’s accreditation in June, renewing the institution’s national accreditation for the next eight years. The next reaccreditation evaluation will occur in the 2030-2031 academic year.
“A Middle States evaluation is another opportunity to holistically assess and reflect on our strategic vision, programs and processes,” Gannon President Dr. Walter Iwanenko said. “This was a significant undertaking. The conversations and information shared in this process engaged the entire Gannon community and earned us laudatory feedback from the Middle States Self-Study Evaluation Team. Thank you to everyone who had a role in this.”
This notification from Middle States concludes a more than two-year effort by about 100 individuals across the university’s locations in both Erie, Pennsylvania and Ruskin, Florida. That work was directed by employees Dr. Mike Caulfield, mathematics professor, and Becky Indorf, director of Gannon’s Center for Social Concerns, who co-chaired the university’s self-study and the steps required for accreditation.
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) is an institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education that serves as an independent voice in higher education. MSCHE establishes equitable standards for accreditation across diverse member institutions to promote innovation in educational delivery and to advance the impact of accreditation in the ever-changing landscape of higher education.
Gannon University met all the standards of accreditation and earned commendations from the Middle States evaluation team indicating transformational progress throughout two consecutive strategic plans. The Middle States Commission Evaluation Team Report recognized Gannon University for:
Standard I: Mission and Goals
“Gannon’s clarity of purpose regarding its Catholic mission and identity in its efforts to attract, enroll, and educate students is an asset.”
Standard III: Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience
“The process and outcome of revising the Liberal Core was exemplary.”
Standard IV: Support of the Student Experience
“Gannon University has a solution-oriented and collaborative community dedicated to improving the quality of the student experience.”
Standard VI: Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement
“The university’s stewardship of finances, and achievement of record enrollment and campaign fundraising goals through the pandemic were exemplary.”
The evaluation team also offered this in its team report after site visits to each of Gannon’s locations in March: “Gannon University prepared a very comprehensive self-study that clearly addressed compliance with each of the seven standards, with all federal regulations and with the requirements of affiliation. The entire university community, both in Erie and Ruskin, were extremely welcoming and supportive of the work of the team and of MSCHE, providing any additional material and scheduling additional meetings as requested. The team applauds their work throughout the last two years, culminating in a very successful visit.”