2025-2026 Middle States Accreditation Self-Study


Dear Faculty, Staff, Trustees & Students;

CCAC has begun the process of seeking reaccreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The Commission mandates through accreditation that member institutions meet rigorous and comprehensive standards, which are to be addressed in the context of the mission and within the culture and ethical practices of institutional integrity expected of accredited institutions. For more information about the Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation, click here.

This self-study process comes at an optimal moment for reflection on what we do and to ensure that we have regularly assessed and documented the effectiveness of our work. Each working group is responsible for preparing a report to demonstrate how we meet the MSCHE criteria, identifying challenges, weaknesses, strengths, and opportunities. The report will be prepared by a single author in a narrative form. As members of the college community, you will have the opportunity to provide feedback. Our reaccreditation visit will conclude with a self-study evaluation during the 2025-2025 academic year.

We are counting on your participation because we seek to carry-out a self-study process that is participatory, transparent, and collaborative. We plan on including as many voices as possible. In the coming months, we will start providing a number of opportunities for you to provide feedback and response

Sincerely,

Richard Coleman, Professor
Beenah Moshay, Associate Vice President for Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness
Co-Chairs of the Middle States Self-Study Steering Committee

 

Steering Committee

  • Richard Coleman, Associate Professor (Co-Chair)
  • Beenah Moshay, Associate Vice President for Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness (Co-Chair)
  • Lindsey Guinn, Assistant Vice President for Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness (Writer)
  • Anne Duffy, Assistant Instructor
  • Cara Conroy, Dean of Business and Technology
  • Caroline Evans, Professor
  • James Flynn, Vice President for Finance
  • Norm Johnson, Professor
  • Helena Liddle, Academic Advisor
  • Mary Lou Kennedy, Associate Vice President for Student Success Services
  • Ketwana Schoos, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer
  • Hannah Thomas, Assistant Professor
  • Bonita Richardson, Executive Assistant to the President and Board of Trustees
  • Juel Smith, Associate Dean of Sciences
  • Michael Zdilla, Professor

Working Groups

Identify the extent to which the College meets Middle States expectations for mission and goals. Consider the current understanding of CCAC's mission in relationship to the College's current strategic plan.

  • Anne Duffy (Co-Chair), Assistant Instructor
  • Beenah Moshay (Co-Chair), Associate Vice President for Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness
  • Megan Crane, Counselor
  • Jill Hennessy, Assistant Director of Academic Advising
  • Michael Tompkins, Assistant Dean of Business and Technology

Determine the extent to which the College meets Middle States expectations with regard to ethics and integrity. Consider whether our policies, practices, and communications support our values and priorities.

  • Helena Liddle (Co-Chair), Academic Advisor
  • Angelica Perez-Johnston (Co-Chair), Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer
  • Norm Downey, Director of Sponsored Programs
  • Leah Taylor, Assistant Director of Purchasing
  • Jody Wilson, Librarian
  • Tawanda Wright, Online Support Specialist
  • David Zlockie, Student Conduct Manager

Determine whether the College meets Middle States' expectations with regard to the design and delivery of the student learning experience.

  • Juel Smith (Co-Chair), Associate Dean of Sciences
  • Michael Zdilla (Co-Chair), Professor
  • Patricia Donehue, Assistant Instructor
  • Diane Jacobs, Registrar
  • Millie Rodriguez, Dean of Virtual Campus
  • Sylvia Wallace, Adjunct Faculty

Examine the extent to which the College meets Middle States' expectations with regard to support of the student experience. Identify the College's strengths, challenges, and opportunities in supporting the success of all CCAC students.

  • Mary Lou Kennedy (Co-Chair), Associate Vice President for Student Success Services
  • Hannah Thomas (Co-Chair), Assistant Professor
  • Michael Chirdon-Jones, Senior Director of Advising
  • Daniel Duffy, Director of Military and Veterans Service
  • Kathy Drakulic, Regional Director of Registration SE
  • Kristen Spiker, Dean of Student Development
  • Justin Starr, Endowed Professorship Advanced Technologies

Determine the extent to which the College assesses student learning and demonstrates that students have accomplished goals that are consistent with their program of student, general education, and the mission of CCAC.

  • Sarah Conroy (Co-Chair), Dean of Business and Technology
  • Caroline Evans (Co-Chair), Professor
  • Valery Keibler, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Adjunct Services
  • Carmen Livingston, Professor
  • Debra Misencik, Professor
  • Vladimir St. Surin, Dean of Students and Interim Enrollment Services Lead Administrator
  • Mary Utter, Dean of Students

Examine the extent to which the College meets Middle States' expectations with regard to planning, resources, and institutional improvement. Determine how well the system of institutional effectiveness is serving the institution and whether it is leading to institutional improvement. Examine how well the institutional priorities within this self-study are supported by planning processes and resources.

  • James Flynn (Co-Chair), Vice President for Finance
  • Norm Johnson (Co-Chair), Professor
  • Tiffany Evans, Dean of Students and Interim Enrollment Services Lad Administrator
  • Rebecca Shakoske, Adjunct Faculty
  • Jamie Hightower-Poindexter
  • Executive Director of Financial Aid

Determine the extent to which the College meets Middle States' expectations with regard to governance, leadership, and administration. Consider the ways in which the institution is organized to carry out the mission and goals.

  • Richard Coleman (Co-Chair), Professor
  • Bonita Richardson (Co-Chair), Executive Assistant to the President and Board of Trustees
  • Denise Cylenica, Senior Secretary
  • Elizabeth Johnston, Chief Marketing and Public Relations Officer
  • Jamie McMahon, Chief Executive Officer of the Educational Foundation

Intended Outcomes of the Self-Study

In completing our self-study, the Community College of Allegheny County will:

  1. To demonstrate that CCAC meets and complies with the MSCHE Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation in order to earn reaffirmation by MSCHE.
  2. To facilitate a self-study process that is transparent, collaborative, and participatory.
  3. To effectively utilize assessment data to support continuous improvement in the attainment of CCAC's mission, goals, and values.
  4. To assess CCAC's strengths, weaknesses, and identify our opportunities and our challenges, which will lay the groundwork for the next strategic plan.

Timeline

2022 Timeline

August
Recruitment began

2023 Timeline

March
Steering committee and work groups formed
Introductory meetings to the standards

April
Institutional priorities survey sent to College community

September
Co-Chairs consult with President on institutional priorities

September - October
Open meeting to discuss institutional priorities

October
Finalize self-study design

October-November
Work groups prepare survey questions for Spring 2024 College Survey

2024 Timeline

January
Work group survey sent to College community

February
Open meeting to discuss the work group survey

March 
MSCHE liaison visit
Self-study designed approved by MSCHE

May
Work group submits drafts of reports; work groups to include strength, suggestions, opportunities, and challenges

August - September
Self-study open meetings with faculty and staff to discuss work group reports

Fall
MSCHE selects evaluation-team chair, chair sets date for team visit and evaluation-team chair preliminary visit, send self-study design to evaluation-team chair

November
Work groups submit final reports

2025 Timeline

January - March 
Writer drafts chapter drafts; self-study evaluation team chair selected

March - April 
Open meetings with College community to discuss drafts

May - August
Writer edits report for consistence

September
CCAC community reviews final draft of self-study
Board of Trustees reviews final draft of self-study
Evaluation-team chair preliminary visit

October
Evaluation-team chair reviews final self-study

December
College submits final self-study

2026 Timeline

February - Mid-April
Self-study evaluation team visit

June
MSCHE action regarding accreditation status