This academic year, as it does every eight years, AU is undergoing a comprehensive review in order to be re-accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). As part of this process, a committee of faculty, administrators, staff, and students from across campus drafted a comprehensive self-study report describing how AU meets the MSCHE standards for accreditation. The report covers all aspects of the university, including governance, administration, budgets, strategic planning, undergraduate education, graduate and professional education, and faculty.

AU is committed to making its self-study report reflective of the accomplishments and aspirations of the community. The draft report documents the tremendous transformation of the university over the past several years, including the implementation of the Changemakers strategic plan, and outlines AU’s initiatives in response to the challenges facing higher education in the United States today. The self-study also identifies potential areas where the university can continue improving in order to address those challenges and to meet the needs of our students, faculty, and staff in a changing world. Please note, the draft is a work in progress and the content will continue to be updated as we move forward.

I invite you to participate in this process by reading and commenting on the draft self-study report. You can access the draft report and a summary of the report (login with AU username and password required) and are encouraged to submit comments through this electronic form or provide feedback via email (middlestates@american.edu). The Middle States website contains other valuable information on the accreditation process, including links to the MSCHE accreditation standards, various supporting documents for the self-study, and AU’s steering committee and subcommittee membership.

In addition to submitting your comments electronically, you can attend one of three open meetings that the Middle States steering committee will hold next week—two virtual and one in-person. Registration is not required.

Virtual Meetings
Monday, November 27 from 4:00 to 5:00 pm
Friday, December 1 from 9:30 to 10:30 am
Join Zoom

In-Person Meeting
Wednesday, November 29 from 9:30 to 10:30 am
Letts Hall Formal Lounge (light refreshments available)

Steering committee members will also be meeting with various representative groups of different campus constituencies. Please be assured that your comments and suggestions will be taken seriously and that the final report and recommendations will reflect the feedback received from the university community.

We look forward to hearing from you!