MSCHE Unveils New Mission, Vision, and Values

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) approved new mission, vision, and values (MVV) statements that offer a much clearer and concise representation of the organization. The release of the new MVV statements follows the rebranding process undertaken by MSCHE in 2019 and coincides with the ongoing review of the Standards.

“The new mission, vision, and values statements define our work and what is important to this Commission while also reflecting the forward-thinking nature of our service as an accreditor in a more rapidly changing and complex environment,” said MSCHE President Dr. Heather F. Perfetti. “Each statement was informed by the important internal and external feedback we received from our rebranding process.”

The new mission statement defines MSCHE’s overall purpose:

Mission: The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) promotes educational excellence through innovation across diverse institutions.

While the vision looks ahead to where MSCHE wants to be within the higher education landscape:

Vision: To be a prominent voice and champion in higher education to leverage accreditation for our member institutions and students.

And finally, the values incorporate the three pillars that emerged from the rebranding work:

Protecting the Future – We ensure that member institutions meet rigorous and comprehensive standards to protect educational quality.

Guiding for Good – We fuel discovery and progress for our community and society as an independent voice in higher education.

Setting the Standard – We promote quality through honest reflection, institutional growth, and meaningful change.

In addition, the description that follows the pillars represents work done by MSCHE’s Staff Advisory Committee and speaks to ensuring positive interactions with others:

These values guide our external and internal relationships where integrity, respect, and self-improvement promote personal and collective growth, creativity, collaboration, accountability, and fair and equitable treatment.

The new mission, vision, and values replaces the previous four principles which were perceived as more operational in nature rather than inspirational and aspirational. The MVV statements build upon each other, through an important scaffolding, and will always be used together.

“The mission, vision, and values really get to the core of the MSCHE organization,” said Dr. Perfetti. “These concepts and statements are ones that we can easily share with others when asked about the current and future work of the Commission as we continue to support our institutions and students as well as our own strategic priorities.”

In addition, the Commission continues its periodic review of the MSCHE Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation. Following the public listening sessions held in January and February, the Standards Review Advisory Group presented its initial findings to the Commission at the March 10, 2022, meeting. Recommended changes, incorporating all feedback, will be presented to the membership and the public during an open public comment period. Final approval by the Commission will happen at a future Commission meeting followed by a vote by membership. More details will be shared in the coming weeks.

The Standards Advisory Group includes Chair Dr. Ellie Fogarty, Senior Vice President for Accreditation Relations; Ms. Victoria Clark, Director for Events; Mr. Brian Kirschner, Senior Director for Communications and Events; Dr. Sean McKitrick, Vice President for Institutional Field Relations; Dr. Terence Peavy, Vice President for Institutional Field Relations; Dr. Heather Perfetti, President; Ms. Alicia Vassallo, Accreditation Services Coordinator; and Commissioner COL(R) Gerald C. Kobylski, Ph.D., P.E., United States Military Academy. Ms. Mary Beth Kait, former Senior Director for Regulatory Affairs, served as Co-Chair before leaving the Commission in March 2022.