Self-Study and Reaccreditation News & Updates

Check here periodically for news about Hartwick’s Self-Study and reaccreditation process.

January 2026:
Announcing the Co-Chairs for the Middle States Self-Study Process

As Hartwick College prepares for its periodic reaccreditation with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), the College has appointed two Co-Chairs to lead the Self-Study process. Hartwick’s last reaccreditation process took place in 2018-19, culminating in the reaffirmation of Hartwick’s accreditation on June 27, 2019. This means that Hartwick’s reaccreditation process is now underway with an external review team visit planned for Fall 2027.

Leading the process will be two Co-Chairs, Dr. Cherilyn Lacy, Assistant Provost, and Dr. Karl Seeley, Professor and Chair of Economics. Dr. Lacy brings twenty-seven years of experience in teaching and administration at Hartwick College, and ten years of experience with Middle States to this role, including having Chaired the 2018-19 Self-Study process and served as Hartwick’s Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO) to Middle States since 2023. Dr. Seeley brings twenty-three years of experience in teaching and leadership at Hartwick College, and experience as a member of a Working Group on the 2018-19 Self-Study, to this role. Dr. Lacy and Dr. Seeley have also served as Faculty Chair. In Fall 2025, they participated in the Middle States Commission on Higher Education’s Self-Study Institute in preparation for leading Hartwick College’s Self-Study process.

March 2026:
Middle States Self-Study Preparation Visit Brings Hartwick’s VP Liaison to Campus

On March 27, 2026, Hartwick College welcomed Dr. Kristy Bishop, our Vice President Liaison to Middle States, to campus for a visit to ensure that the campus community is informed about the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the accreditation process, and that the Self-Study Design that Hartwick College has drafted shows that Hartwick is prepared for the Self-Study process. Dr. Bishop met with the Self-Study Co-Chairs, the President and President-Elect, the Steering Committee, and the Board of Trustees, in addition to holding an open forum in Slade Theatre for all members of the campus community. At the conclusion of her visit, Dr. Bishop observed that Hartwick’s Self-Study Design is of high quality and she complimented Hartwick for taking the business of accreditation and assessment seriously. She provided recommendations on a few revisions that should be made to the Self-Study Design prior to its final submission to the Middle States Commission by June 12, 2026.

June 2026:
Middle States Accreditation Update: Hartwick’s Final Self-Study Design Accepted.

Details coming soon.

September 2026:
Self-Study Kick-off Event.

Details coming soon.