The next major milestone is the Middle States Commission on Higher Education Evaluation Team visit, scheduled for March 15–18, 2026. A team of peer evaluators from colleges and universities across our region will review our work against Middle States accreditation standards and requirements and will meet with students, faculty, staff, trustees, and administrators. These candid conversations help validate what is presented in our Self-Study Report and deepen the team’s understanding of how we advance academic excellence, support student success, and strengthen institutional effectiveness.

There will be multiple opportunities for members of the University community to engage with the team and share experiences and perspectives—an essential part of the process that helps the team understand Montclair’s culture, strengths, and ongoing commitments. As we prepare for the visit, please take a moment to reflect on how your work advances Montclair’s new mission, how you assess its impact, and how you help move our shared goals forward.

Please stay tuned for updates, including the schedule of open meetings with the visiting team.

Montclair MSCHE Executive Leadership Team:

Joanne Cote-Bonanno
Christine Lemesianou
Brandon Fralix
Danielle Insalaco-Egan

Recent Milestone

On October 31, we hosted the chair of the Middle States evaluation team, Dr. Jeffery L. Osgood, Jr., President of the new Commonwealth University in Pennsylvania, for a preliminary visit that included meetings with key stakeholders on both the Montclair and Bloomfield campuses. The visit was successful and yielded constructive feedback. These insights will guide our final work on the Self-Study Report and the Evidence Inventory.

What’s Next

We are preparing for the full evaluation team site visit, scheduled for March 15–18, 2026. In the months ahead, we will:

• Finalize the Self-Study Report and align the Evidence Inventory which will be submitted to the Middle States Commission at the end of January;
• Continue coordinating logistics for the team’s multi-day visit; and
• Share targeted updates and opportunities for campus engagement.

Thank You

This progress reflects the dedication of colleagues across the university. Thank you to everyone who has participated in the process— providing data and reports, joining meetings, and sharing feedback through interviews, focus groups, surveys, and response forms. Your contributions strengthen our story and our continuous improvement efforts.

How to Stay Involved

As we move into the final stretch, we’ll invite targeted additional input to the Self-Study Report and share preparations for the March visit. Your continued engagement will help ensure a smooth and successful review.

Together with our campus partners, we look forward to finalizing the report and delivering a successful site visit that positions ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ University for continued excellence and impact.

Montclair MSCHE Executive Leadership Team:

Joanne Cote-Bonanno
Christine Lemesianou
Brandon Fralix
Danielle Insalaco-Egan

The accreditation cycle began two years ago, and since then more than 150 colleagues from across campus have contributed their expertise, time, and energy to the rigorous research, reflection, and writing required for a successful self-study. We are now entering the final year of this important process. A full draft of the self-study is ready for review by the community. This fall, we will welcome the chair of the MSCHE evaluation team to campus, followed by the full team’s visit in the spring semester—an opportunity to showcase our university and to engage in meaningful dialogue with our peers.

We invite all members of the ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ University community to and . Your input is a vital part of this process. As you read, we ask you to reflect on whether the draft captures your understanding of ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ University today, and to note any gaps, missing perspectives, or areas for further consideration. You can also join two scheduled open forums to ask questions and provide any feedback:

Friday, September 19, 10:00-11:00am in Cole Hall 242
Wednesday, September 24, 2:00-3:00pm in Cole Hall 242

Your active participation will help strengthen the final report and ensure it reflects the voices, experiences, and aspirations of our entire community. Thank you for engaging in this important process and for contributing to the future of Montclair.

With best wishes for a productive and rewarding fall semester,
The Self-Study Leadership Team

Joanne Coté-Bonanno
Christine Lemesianou
Brandon Fralix
Danielle Insalaco-Egan

Terence Peavy, MSCHE vice president for institutional field relations and ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ University’s MSCHE liaison, conducted a site visit on April 11 to meet with a wide range of university stakeholders about the self-study process, including students, faculty, staff, Provost Junius Gonzales, President Jonathan Koppell, and the Board of Trustees. He spoke extensively to the steering committee members and provided invaluable guidance and insights for the next phase of the self-study process and the preparation of the final self-study report.

Self-Study Working Groups were formed in the fall of 2023 and are already at work gathering evidence that will facilitate self-appraisal and clearly demonstrate compliance with MSCHE Standards of Accreditation. The Working Groups will engage in deep analysis throughout the next academic year to ensure the rigorous application of standards and continuous institutional innovation and improvement. The Steering committee looks forward to the engagement of the entire University community in the next two years as the self-study process continues to unfold.

Middle States Accreditation is a rigorous evaluation process that educational institutions undergo to ensure they meet specific standards of quality and effectiveness. The accreditation process examines various aspects of the institution, including its mission, educational programs and student learning experiences, governance structure, and financial stability, among others. For ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ University, Middle States Accreditation is more than just a badge of honor or a bureaucratic task. The university has undergone tremendous growth and transformation in the last few years, including a merger and the integration of Bloomfield College of ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ University into the fold. This self-study is a tremendous opportunity to provide an honest, evidence-based evaluation of the institution’s strengths and signature accomplishments, adherence to the Middle States standards, and areas for future enhancement.

Montclair has identified certain priorities that will shape the self-study inquiry and provide valuable insights as the university works towards its next strategic plan:

1. Optimize Student Success: Use an equity lens to explore opportunities to improve student success metrics and student engagement/belonging.
2. Drive Academic Excellence and Innovation: Foster academic innovation and excellence with the development of new academic structures, programs, and hallmark high-impact practices (HIPs).
3. Fortify Institutional Vitality: Optimize data-driven decision-making for operational effectiveness, optimal integration with BC, and overall financial health.
4. Scale Up Impact and Reach: Enhance the footprint of the University as a hub for excellence in teaching, research, and community service.

Stay tuned for more updates and open forums throughout the spring 2024 semester as the University works towards completion of the Self-Study Design.

For any comments or questions, please email: selfstudy2026@montclair.edu

Accreditation plays a crucial role in shaping the success and future of Montclair. It serves as a comprehensive evaluation of the institution’s educational programs, services, and overall effectiveness. This rigorous process not only validates the quality of our academic offerings but also provides valuable insights for ensuring student success and continuous enhancement. In light of the recent merger with Bloomfield College of ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ University, this accreditation cycle will support the ongoing integration process as well.

To spearhead this accreditation journey, a Leadership Team, a dedicated Steering Committee, and eight Working Groups that are aligned with the Middle States accreditation standards, all comprising approximately 120 community members,  have been carefully assembled to maximize inclusion and wide representation of roles, knowledge, and skill sets. These teams will guide the University through a thorough self-study process, ensuring a comprehensive examination of strengths and areas for growth. The leadership team and co-chairs of working groups have already successfully completed the MSCHE Self-Study Institute in the fall 2023 semester, equipping them with the knowledge and tools necessary for this demanding undertaking.

Currently, these groups are hard at work crafting the self-study design, a blueprint that will outline the plan for institutional analysis and recommendations. In the spirit of inclusivity, we emphasize the importance of engaging our entire campus community in this process. Throughout the spring semester, all constituents will have ample opportunities to contribute their ideas and feedback, fostering a collaborative approach to our self-study. Other major components of the reaccreditation process include compliance with requirements of affiliation, the completion of a comprehensive self-study report, ongoing community feedback and an on-site team visit, scheduled in the spring of 2026.

The unique insights, experiences, and perspectives of all community members are invaluable as Montclair navigates this accreditation cycle. We invite each member of our university community to actively participate in shaping the narrative of our institutional achievements and aspirations. We look forward to the vibrant discussions, insights, and collaborative efforts that will define this accreditation cycle and contribute to the ongoing success of our university.

For any questions, please email: selfstudy2026@montclair.edu