Worcester State University is fully accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, or NECHE. This regional accrediting body, previously known as NEASC, is responsible for both evaluating the academic quality of higher education institutions and promoting continuous improvement among them. In carrying out its mission, NECHE assures the public, government entities, and other constituents of institutions’ regulatory compliance and adoption of best practices for the delivery of higher education.
Accreditation is an ongoing process that involves, at a minimum, comprehensive evaluations that generally span ten years and include interim evaluations. Comprehensive evaluations are conducted by volunteer teams of colleagues who are charged with both reviewing institutional data and reports and then, in a visit to the institution under review, verifying that the information presented is accurate and in line with NECHE standards, which cover all aspects of institutional operations.
The creation of a comprehensive evaluation self-study is a major undertaking requiring the efforts of the entire campus community. It serves as the primary means by which the institution demonstrates its aspirations, shortcomings, and general satisfaction of accreditation standards. The self-study is the first document evaluation team members will use to become acquainted with the institution, and it will serve as a guide for future accreditation actions that support the institution’s continuous improvement efforts.
This Self Study forms the basis of the visit by a peer review Comprehensive Site Visit team who will be present on campus between October 2 and October 5, 2022.
2022 NECHE Self Study Report
Other NECHE Resources (Worcester State login required.)
This year we initiate our New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) re-accreditation process, just as implementation of our 2020-2025 strategic plan begins in earnest. The timing will permit each to inform the other, strengthening both. The first step, a comprehensive self-study, is now underway and will take approximately 18 months. A steering committee, with subcommittees organized around NECHE’s nine standards for accreditation, has been formed under the direction of co-chairs Dr. Emily Soltano and Dr. Noah Dion. They aim to bring us together, from all parts of the campus, to learn from one another about the excellent work we do here every day and how we might do it even better.
A critical step will take place in the fall of 2022, when a team of evaluators comes to Worcester State for a site visit. At that time, we will share with them the fruits of our hard work, showcasing a campus that truly puts students first in all that we do. A NECHE decision is expected to be issued in the spring of 2023, affirming our accreditation and indicating any future actions we may need to take.
Those of you who’ve been through the NECHE (formerly NEASC) process in the past know that its “seal of approval” is typically good for ten years, with mid-term evaluation(s) occurring along the way, to make sure that areas of concern are being addressed.
Ultimately, a successful accreditation by NECHE indicates to the world that we comply with the rules governing higher education and meet our industry’s standards. Their external validation is essential for demonstrating that we are worthy of investments from state and federal government sources, private grant agencies and foundations, and donors. It reassures our community partners, too.
In short, it’s important. And a thorough, thoughtful self-study will not only position us for a successful re-accreditation, it can spur the kind of innovative thinking necessary for us to become one of the best-run, student-centered campuses in New England.
We need everyone’s voice to be heard!
Barry M. Maloney, President
Department: Academic Affairs
Department: Psychology
Daniel Hunt, Associate Professor, Communication Department Karen Wigren, Staff Assistant to the Dean of the School of Education, Health, and Natural Sciences
Leisha Alcia Staff Assistant, Academic Success Center Kristine Camacho Assistant Professor, Education Department Tara Hancock Executive Director of Alumni Relations and Engagement Edgar Moros Director of the Intensive English Language Institute Stacey Luster General Counselor and Assistant to the President for Employment and Equal Opportunity Marc-Kendy Paul Student
Meghna Dilip, Professor, Chemistry Department Linda Larrivee, Dean of the School of Education Health and Natural Sciences
Anthony Adade Associate Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer Diara Canton Student Thomas Kelley Director of Retention Syamak Moattari Associate Professor, Health Science Department Tanya Trudell Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy Department
Adrian Gage, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Director of Residence Life and Housing Tona Hangen, Professor, History and Political Science Department
Joe Dicarlo Dean of Enrollment and Director of Admissions Carl Herrin Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff Tyanna McCaulsky Student Kathleen Murphy Associate Professor, Chemistry Department Karen Tessmer Associate Director of Athletics and Head Women’s Basketball Coach Mark Wagner Director of the Center for Civic Engagement Adam Zahler Professor, Visual & Performing Arts Department
Sara Grady, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Professional Development Jennifer Hood-DeGrenier, Professor, Biology Department
Mark Beaudry Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice Department Carol Donnelly Professor, Education Department Julie Frankian Staff Associate, Academic Success Center Martin Fromm Associate Professor, History and Political Science Department Maria Fung Professor, Mathematics Department Hy Ginsberg Associate Professor, Mathematics Department Bonnie Kanner Professor, Psychology Department Roberta Kyle Associate Vice President and Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education Ben McElroy Assistant Director of Admissions and Coordinator of Transfer Admissions Elaine McKenna-Yeaw Executive Director, Worcester Center for Crafts Russ Pottle Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences MaryLynn Saul Professor, English Department Elizabeth Siler Associate Professor, Business Administration & Econonomics Department Seth Surgan Professor, Psychology Department Colleen Wheaton Director of First Year and Transfer Services
Raynold Lewis, Associate Dean of the School of Education, Health and Natural Sciences Colleen Sullivan, Associate Professor, Psychology Department
Dean Bowen Assistant Director and Fitness Center Manager Lyndsey Broxton Student Joanne Jaber Gauvin Assistant Director of the Urban Action Institute Laura Wildemann Kane Assistant Professor, Philosophy Department Nabin Malakar Assistant Professor, Earth, Environment, and Physics Department Fran Manocchio Assistant Dean and Director of Student Accessibility Services Michael McKenna Director, Conference and Event Services Kristie McNamara Director of the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership Jessica O’Connor Staff Associate and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, Occupational Therapy Department Abbigail Poplawski Student Tammy Tebo Assistant Dean of Academic Services
Joseph Quattrucci, Associate Professor, Chemistry Department Henry Theriault, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs
Mary Fowler Professor, Mathematics Department Yan Hu Assistant Professor, Biology Department Jacqueline Raftery-Helmer Assistant Professor, Psychology Department Meredith Rosario Staff Assistant, Administration and Finance Yomari Rivera Student
Donald Vescio, Professor, English Department Jonathan Walker, Director of Internal Controls and Risk Assessment
Matt Bejune Executive Director, Library Jodi Briggs-Pickett Executive Director of University Advancement Kathryn Frazier Assistant Professor, Psychology Department Margaret Gurney Student Maryanne Hammond, Board of Trustees Anisa Hoxha Director of Budget, Planning and Policy Development Nicole Kapurch Assistant Director and Special Assistant to the President, and Liaison to the Board of Trustees Mary Jo Marion Assistant Vice President of the Latino Education Institute Michael Mudd Director of Athletics Susan Moore Executive Director of Human Resources and Benefits Dave Needham Assistant Director of Multimedia Services Dina Nichols, Board of Trustees Jeffry Nichols Associate Professor, Chemistry Department Sandra Olson Assistant Vice President of Facilities Katey Palumbo Director, International Programs Amber Vaill Associate Dean for Distance and Global Education
Marilyn Cleary, Assistant Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education Roger Greenwell, Associate Professor, Biology Department
Rosemary Ahmadi Staff Associate, Instructional Designer and Training Specialist Charles Bray Student Amanda Cornine Instructor, Nursing Department Brittany Jeye Assistant Professor, Psychology Department David Melpignano Day Adjunct Faculty, Communication Department Adam Shaughnessy Staff Associate, Academic Success Center
Robert Brooks, Professor, Criminal Justice Department Elena Arranz Alonso, Assistant Director, Continuing Education/ Adult Student Advisor
Elena Arranz Non-Matriculated/Adult Student Advisor, Department of Graduate and Continuing Education Maria Isabel Gariepy Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunity Jason Kapurch Director of University Police Andrea Latter Instructor, Nursing Department Amiya Phillips Student Christina Santana Assistant Professor, English Department Maureen Stokes Assistant Vice President of Communications and Marketing Casey Sullivan Staff Assistant, Financial Aid Office Jack Reardon Associate Director of Network and Infrastructure Services Wei-Chu Xu Assistant Professor, Chemistry Department
