MSCHE Welcomes St. Bonaventure University’s Dr. Michael Fischer to the Commission in 2021

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) elected Dr. Michael J. Fischer, Professor of Accounting at St. Bonaventure University, as a first-term Commissioner and will serve from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2023. Dr. Fischer has been a faculty member at St. Bonaventure University since 1985 and has served in a number of leadership positions, including as the Dean of Enrollment Management; School of Business Dean; and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

He has significant experience with both specialized and institutional accreditation, including having led the process for initial Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation while Dean of the School of Business; overseeing successful MSCHE Periodic Review Report (PRR) and decennial self-study and visit processes as Provost; and having served as both a PRR and decennial peer reviewer. Dr. Fischer has also been engaged in shared governance activities as both a faculty member and administrator, including as chair or member of St. Bonaventure’s faculty senate and graduate council, as well as its academic standards, compensation, curriculum, enrollment management, faculty handbook, finance, and grievance committees.

Dr. Fischer earned his B.S. and M.B.A. degrees from the School of Management at the University at Buffalo, and his Ph.D. from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Dr. Fischer was an audit manager with the international firm of Price Waterhouse before beginning his academic career.