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Learn About the Self-Study
Russell Sage College is undertaking a comprehensive self-study as part of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) accreditation process. Through this process, we will examine our mission, student experience, educational effectiveness, resources, governance, and opportunities for continuous improvement.
The Importance of the Self-Study: A Process of Inquiry, Reflection, And Improvement
A self-study gives us an opportunity to:
Russell Sage’s process will bring together faculty, staff, administrators, students and other members of the college community to examine evidence, ask questions and identify strengths and opportunities for improvement.
The work will be guided by the MSCHE Standards for Accreditation and by Russell Sage’s mission, priorities, and goals.
How the Self-Study Works
The Self-Study Steering Committee and seven standards-based Working Groups will lead this process.
Self-Study Steering Committee
Leads the process of inquiry and coordinates the work of seven standards-based Working Groups. Steering Committee members and co-chairs serve as authors and facilitators.
Working Groups
Assemble evidence around their assigned standard(s), develop lines of inquiry, and contribute to the draft chapters.
Russell Sage is using an inclusive approach modeled on the process used for its previous self-study and the Sage Forward strategic plan. Working Groups will be built around the initiatives, interests, and expertise of volunteers, with cross-functional focus groups when helpful.
The 7 MSCHE Standards
| Standard | What We Will Examine |
|---|---|
| I. Mission and Goals | How our mission defines our purpose and how our goals connect to and fulfill that mission. |
| II. Ethics and Integrity | How Russell Sage honors its commitments, follows its policies, and represents itself truthfully in its internal and external activities. |
| III. Design & Delivery of the Student Experience | How learning experiences are rigorous, coherent, and consistent with higher education expectations across programs, modalities, and settings. |
| IV. Support of the Student Experience | How we recruit, support, retain, and help students persist, complete, and succeed through a coherent system of support. |
| V. Educational Effectiveness Assessment | How assessment of student learning and achievement demonstrates that students are accomplishing appropriate educational goals. |
| VI. Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement | How planning, resources, and institutional structures align to fulfill the mission, assess and improve programs and services, and respond to opportunities and challenges. |
| VII. Governance, Leadership, and Administration | How governance and administration enable Russell Sage to realize its mission and goals and operate as an academic institution with appropriate autonomy. |
Your Participation: Your Voice is Part of the Process
The Self-Study will rely on open and direct communication with the Russell Sage community. Faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders will have opportunities to participate through Working Groups, focus groups, feedback sessions, campus conversations, and other activities as the process moves forward.
Self-Study Leadership
Steering Committee Co-Chairs
- Dr. Theresa Hand, provost: co-chair, Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO), comprehensive author, final editor
- Kirk Robinson, undergraduate dean and assistant provost of student success and institutional effectiveness: co-chair, evidence supervisor, lead author
Steering Committee
- David Baecker, professor of theatre: chair of faculty, co-lead, Standard VII
- Rick Barthelmas, chief financial officer and vice president for finance and administration: co-lead, Standard VI
- Jill Bierman, director of engaged learning: steering committee member at large
- Trish Cellemme, vice president for student life: co-lead, Standard III
- Mary Beth Cusack, administrative coordinator and assistant to the undergraduate dean: steering committee at large; administrative liaison to Working Groups, hospitality co-lead
- Dr. Francesca Durand, professor of educational leadership and chair of the Institutional Review Board: co-lead, Standard V
- Laura D’Agostino, chief of staff and executive assistant to the president: co-lead, Standard VII; hospitality co-lead
- Brian Evers, director of human resources: co-lead, Standard VI
- Grace Giancola, dean of students: co-lead, Standard IV
- Jenn Gish, senior vice president for marketing and communications: co-lead, Standard I; self-study communications director
- Katie Cooney Lesko, vice president for enrollment, student success, and persistence: co-lead, Standard III
- Sean Mooney, director of institutional research: steering committee at large; data analyst and data manager
- Kelley Robinson, director of financial aid: co-lead, Standard II
- Dr. Pete Stapleton, professor of education, dean of the Esteves School of Education: co-lead, Standards I and V
- Christopher White, director of libraries/assistant professor: co-lead, Standard III
Timeline
The Self-Study is a multi-year process.
| Dates | Deliverables |
|---|---|
| 2026: Launch and design | Refine the Self-Study Design, establish Working Groups, review the MSCHE process, and begin evidence and lines-of-inquiry work. |
| January-February 2027: Self-Study design | Evidence analysis workshop; revised Self-Study Design due January 29, 2027; MSCHE approval letters anticipated February 26, 2027. |
| March-August 2027: Evidence and through-lines | Working Groups develop evidence tables and confirm how evidence closes the loop; interim reports and campus sessions continue. |
| September-December 2027: Drafting | Working Groups draft and refine Standard chapters; full rough drafts are developed for Steering Committee review. |
| 2028: Feedback and revision | Full drafts are revised; evidence inventories are prepared; the broader Russell Sage community, students and board provide feedback; MSCHE evaluation-team preparations continue. |
| Fall 2028: Submission preparation | Evidence is submitted to the MSCHE portal and the Self-Study Report is finalized. |
| December 15, 2028: Self-study submission | Russell Sage’s Self-Study Report and evidence submission deadline. |
| Spring 2029 | Evaluation visit |
Get Involved
A meaningful self-study depends on honest questions, strong evidence, and broad participation. Follow the work, share your perspective and help us examine what Russell Sage does well, where we can improve, and how our practices support our mission and our students.