Working Groups

Each of the seven Working Groups has been charged with the following tasks:

  1. Become knowledgeable about the Middle States standards for accreditation, known as the Characteristics of Excellence, with particular emphasis on the standards covered by the working group.
  2. Study the research questions outlined in the Self-Study Design and prepare responses that are supported by credible and reliable data and information.
  3. Using the style guidelines outlined in this Self-Study Design document, draft a chapter for the self-study report that presents the working group’s findings regarding the research questions, and that demonstrates the degree to which UMB is in compliance with the assigned Middle States standards.
  4. Based on the working group’s findings, draft five to 10 specific and attainable recommendations that can be adopted to advance the mission of the University and strengthen its compliance with specific standards.
  5. Produce and catalog the supporting documentation and evidence used to (a) inform the working group’s findings and recommendations relevant to the research questions, and (b) support its determination that UMB is in compliance with the assigned Middle States Standards.
  6. Submit its work product to the co-chairs by the deadline established by the Steering Committee.

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.

    Co-chairs:

    Bill Joyner, James B. Kaper, Alexa Mayo

    Logistics Committee Liaison

    Victoria Meadows 

    Working Group Members: 

    Jessica Bird, Angela Ober, Andrea Brassard, Marilyn Okine, Danice Coach, Troy Parker, Wei Ming Dariotis, Dana Rampolla, Amanda Hosking, Valerie Sikora, Chantelle James, Jenna Silverman, John McKee

    Standard II:  ▾
    Ethics and integrity are central, indispensable, 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.

    Co-Chairs: 

    Geoffrey Greif, Susan Buskirk, Vanessa Harrington

    Logistics Committee Liaisons

    Courtney Resnick

    Working Group Members

    Yunting  Fu, Hayley Markman, Reetta Gach, Hannah Murphy Buc, Elice Garcia-Baca, Karen Park, Joseph Gillespie, Waldemar Thormes, Toby Guerin, Alison Watkins, Cherilyn Hendrix, Danielle White, Angie Hines

    Standard III: Design and Delivery of 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.

    Co-chairs:

    Susan Antol, Richard Dalby, Jenny Owens

    Logistics Committee Liaison

    Karen Matthews 

    Working Group Members

    Susan Bindon, Violet Kulo, Nicole Bryant, Melissa Myers, Kevin Engler, Mary Njoku, Jonathan Glick, Monica Schneider, Tamara Hicks, Anna Schowengerdt, Mary Joseph, Radha Vaidya

    Standard IV: Support of 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.

    Co-chair:

    Patty Alvarez, Greg Brightbill, Barbara Gontrum

    Logistics Committee Liaison

    Kate Noonan 

    Working Group Members

    Jennifer Aumiller, Se-Lim Oh, Jennifer Cooper, Jen Schum, Aynsley Hamel, Henriette Taylor, LaWanda Herron, Niya Werts, Sarah Mollenkopf, Darren Whitfield, Lili Nizankiewicz

    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.

    Co-chairs:

    Lynn Chen, Mark Macek, Gregory Spengler

    Logistics Committee Liaison

    Greg Spengler 

    Working Group Members

    Qoot Alkhubaizi, Katherine Endy, MJ Bondy, Jana Goodwin, Jessica Brown, Lisa Lebovitz, Christina Cestone, Mariam Momani, Julie Doherty, Grace Snow, Megan Ehret, Micah Yarbrough

    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.

      Co-chairs:

      Kevin Donegan, Jill Frankenfield, Peter Murray

      Logistics Committee Liaison

      Tricia O’Neill 

      Working Group Members

      Sherry Bohn, Bill Gardiner, Karen Clark, Melissa Morland, William Cooper, Nicole Nash, Bill Crockett, Joel Palachuvattil, Tashana Curtis, Virginia Rowthorn, Amy Daniels, Eunissa Yancy

      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 governmental, corporate, religious, educational system, or other unaccredited organizations, the institution has education as its primary purpose, and it operates as an academic institution with appropriate autonomy.

      Co-chairs:

      Diane Forbes Berthoud, Jon Kucskar, Monica Maggiano

      Logistics Committee Liaison

      Michael Brown

      Working Group Members

      James Cawley, Malika Monger, Stacey Conrad, Chanise Reese-Queen, Catherine Cooke, Tyrone Roper, Herty Cortez Diaz, Rosemarie Satyshur, Crystal Edwards, Abraham Schneider, Nader Hanna, Patricia Scott, Haelyn Holden, Christine Valeriann