Self-Study Structure
The MSCHE 2027-2028 Self-Study process will be led by three co-chairs. The self-study organizational structure includes a Steering Committee comprised of work group co-chairs. The President and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs/Provost will serve as ex-officio members. Seven self-study work groups, each aligned with a specific MSCHE standard, are co‑chaired by an administrator and a faculty member. A Student Advisory Group will participate throughout the self-study process. An Editing Group and a Communications Group will also support the self-study process.
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Leadership Team
Some copy here about the leadership team.
Name Title Role Dr. Rachel Finley-Bowman Assoc. Provost for Student Success and Dean of University College Self-Study Co-Chair Dr. Kim McCollum-Clark Associate Professor Self-Study Co-Chair Dr. Carol Runge Assistant Vice President, Institutional Assessment and Planning Self-Study Co-Chair -
Steering Committee
Name Title Role Mr. Tom Richardson Associate VP for Operations Administrative Co-Chair Mr. Scott Anderson Associate Professor/Chair Faculty Co-Chair Mr. Andrew Welaish Director of Library Services Administrative Co-Chair Dr. Joe Behun Associate Professor Faculty Co-Chair Dr. Ieva Zake Dean, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Administrative Co-Chair Dr. Leslie Gates Professor Faculty Co-Chair Dr. Ron Wiafe Associate Vice President for Student Affairs-Engagement Administrative Co-Chair Dr. Aileen Hower Associate Professor Faculty Co-Chair Dr. Marc Harris Dean, College of Science and Technology Administrative Co-Chair Dr. Karen Rice Professor/Chair Faculty Co-Chair Ms. Tammy Aument-Martin Assistant Vice President of Finance & Administration Administrative Co-Chair Dr. Tyrone Washington Associate Professor/Chair Faculty Co-Chair Dr. Marc Tomljanovich Dean, Lombardo College of Business Administrative Co-Chair Dr. Ken Smith Associate Professor /Chair Faculty Co-Chair -
Work Groups
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.
Name Title Role Mr. Tom Richardson Associate VP for Operations Administrative Co-Chair Mr. Scott Anderson Associate Professor/Chair Faculty Co-Chair Ms. Kate Corcoran Athletic Director Work Group Member Mr. Greg Freedland Assistant Vice President for Communications & Marketing Work Group Member Dr. Laura Granruth Associate Professor/Coordinator, Center for Civic Responsibility & Leadership Work Group Member Dr. John Haughery Associate Professor Work Group Member Mr. Paul Hill Director of Environmental Safety and Health Work Group Member Standard II: Ethics and integrity
Ethics and integrity are central, indispensabe, 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.
Name Title Role Mr. Andrew Welaish Director of Library Services Administrative Co-Chair Dr. Joe Behun Associate Professor Faculty Co-Chair Ms. Abbie Gallello Financial Aid Systems Administrator Work Group Member Ms. Kelly Herr Director of Web and Digital Media Work Group Member Ms. Alison Hutchinson Registrar Work Group Member Ms. Joni Klopp Senior Director of Admissions Services Work Group Member Dr. Kristen Lawson Associate Professor/Chair Work Group Member Dr. Miguel Pereira Title IX Coordinator Work Group Member 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.
Name Title Role Dr. Ieva Zake Dean, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Administrative Co-Chair Dr. Leslie Gates Professor Faculty Co-Chair Dr. Susannah Boyle Associate Professor, Special Education Work Group Member Dr. Baizhou Chen Assistant Professor, Accounting & Finance Work Group Member Ms. Barb Havercamp Director of Adult and Continuing Education Work Group Member Dr. Heather Lehman Associate Professor, Biology Work Group Member Ms. Kathy Nazarenus Assistant to the Provost Work Group Member Ms. Hope Schmids Director of Workforce Development Program Work Group Member Mr. Frank Vitale Assistant Professor, Library Work Group Member 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.
Name Title Role Dr. Ron Wiafe Associate Vice President for Student Affairs-Engagement Administrative Co-Chair Dr. Aileen Hower Associate Professor Faculty Co-Chair Ms. Emi Alvarez Director of Financial Aid Work Group Member Mr. Matt Davis Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management & Chief of Operations Work Group Member Mr. Larry Earnesty Associate Director of Athletics Work Group Member Mr. Steve Knepp Associate Director of University Housing & Conference Services Work Group Member Dr. Margaret Mbindyo Associate Professor, Exploratory Studies and Student Development Work Group Member Ms. Rita Miller Success Coach Work Group Member Ms. Margo Thorwart Director of Center for Health Education & Promotion Work Group Member Mr. Tom Tolley Director of Student Programs Work Group Member Ms. Melissa Wardwell Director of Career Center Work Group Member Ms. Christina Pantoja Williams Director of Pre-College Programs Work Group Member 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.
Name Title Role Dr. Marc Harris Dean, College of Science and Technology Administrative Co-Chair Dr. Karen Rice Professor/Chair Faculty Co-Chair Dr. Dan Albert Associate Professor/Chair Work Group Member Dr. Betty-Jo Bowers Associate Professor Work Group Member Dr. Jessica Grady Associate Professor Work Group Member Dr. Ojoma Edeh Herr Professor/Faculty Advisor Integrated Studies Work Group Member Dr. Nakeiha Primus Associate Professor, Educational Foundations Work Group Member Dr. Josh Rea Assistant Professor Work Group Member 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.
Name Title Role Ms. Tammy Aument-Martin Assistant Vice President of Finance & Administration Administrative Co-Chair Dr. Tyrone Washington Associate Professor/Chair Faculty Co-Chair Mr. Michael Kurland Assistant Director, Conference Services Work Group Member Ms. Jen Lefever Administrative Manager Work Group Member Ms. Heather Morris Senior Director Work Group Member Ms. Cathie Rutledge Assistant Director of Institutional Research Work Group Member Dr. Jen Shettel Professor/Chair Work Group Member Mr. Tom Waltz Associate Vice President for Facilities Work Group Member 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.
Name Title Role Dr. Marc Tomljanovich Dean, Lombardo College of Business Administrative Co-Chair Dr. Ken Smith Associate Professor /Chair Faculty Co-Chair Dr. Victor DeSantis Vice President for University Relations & Strategic Initiatives Work Group Member Dr. Ollie Dreon Professor Work Group Member Dr. Rich Frerichs Vice Chairman Work Group Member Ms. Mackenzie Gibbs Executive Director, Technical Solutions Work Group Member Ms. Melissa Higgins Director of Human Resources Work Group Member Ms. Pietra Jamison Senior Executive Associate to the President Work Group Member