Staff

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Dr. Elizabeth Sibolski

President
President’s Office

Phone: 267-284-5025

Email: info@msche.org

Dr. Elizabeth Sibolski

Dr. Elizabeth H. Sibolski joined MSCHE in 2000 as a Vice President, was named Executive Vice President in 2007, and was appointed President in 2009. Prior to joining MSCHE, she was Director of University Planning and Research at American University (DC). She is a past-president of the Society for College and University Planning and has served as a trustee of the Mortar Board National Foundation. Dr. Sibolski holds a B.A. in political science, and an M.P.A. and Ph.D. in public administration from American University. Dr. Sibolski is co-author of "Integrating Higher Education Planning and Assessment: A Practical Guide."

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Dr. Heather Perfetti

Senior Vice President for Legal Affairs and Chief of Staff
President’s Office

Phone: 267-284-5046

Email: hperfetti@msche.org

Dr. Heather Perfetti

Dr. Heather F. Perfetti, J.D., joined the Commission as a Vice President liaison to institutions in January 2015. She was promoted to serve as Vice President for Legal Affairs and Chief of Staff in July 2017 and elevated to her current position in July 2018. Dr. Perfetti is a member of the President’s Cabinet and is responsible for facilitating the work of the Policy Unit. Previous positions include Vice President for Academic Affairs at SUNY Orange (NY) and Allegany College of Maryland; Assistant Dean, Assistant Professor, and Program Coordinator at Darton College (GA); and Assistant Professor at Murray State University (KY). She has also held adjunct faculty positions at Georgia Southern University, Barstow Community College (CA), and Darton College. Dr. Perfetti earned her Doctor of Education degree with specialization in Higher Education Leadership from Northcentral University (CA), the Juris Doctor degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law, the Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Troy University (AL), and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Frostburg State University (MD).

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Ms. Christina D'Argenio

Executive Assistant to the President and Manager of Commission Relations
President’s Office

Phone: 267-284-5025

Email: cdargenio@msche.org

Ms. Christina D'Argenio

Ms. Christina D’Argenio joined the MSCHE staff in December 2011 as Executive Assistant to the President and is now Executive Assistant to the President and Manager of Commission Relations. She works on multiple projects on behalf of the MSCHE President and the Chief of Staff, and interacts with Commissioners, institutions, and members of the public. Previously, she served as Assistant to the Provost/Vice President in the Office of Academic Affairs at Cabrini College (now Cabrini University, PA), and Senior Secretary to the Academic Dean and Director of Pastoral and Apostolic Formation at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary (PA). She earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication from Middle Tennessee State University and a Master of Science in Organization Leadership at Cabrini University.

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Dr. Robert Schneider

Senior Vice President for Accreditation Relations
Accreditation Services

Phone: 267-284-5029

Email: rschneider@msche.org

Dr. Robert Schneider

Dr. Robert A. Schneider joined the staff of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in 2004 and has served as Senior Vice President since 2011. The Accreditation Relations Unit he leads designs, implements, and monitors compliance of member institutions with accreditation-related Federal, State, and other pertinent regulations. The Unit is responsible for accreditation operations related to Self-Study evaluations, Periodic Review Reports, follow-up activities, substantive changes, and the training and management of peer evaluators. Previously, Dr. Schneider taught American Studies and administered general education at Temple University (PA) for 18 years. At MSCHE, he has served as liaison to numerous institutions and participated in training events, policy and publication development, and special projects.

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Dr. Christy Faison

Managing Vice President
Institutional Field Relations

Phone: 267-284-5021

Email: cfaison@msche.org

Dr. Christy Faison

Dr. Christy L. Faison joined the staff of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education as a Vice President in January 2012 and was elevated to Managing Vice President in July 2018. In this role she is responsible for the overall management of the Vice Presidents unit while continuing to serve as a liaison to member institutions, providing training to institutions and volunteers, and supporting the accreditation decision-making work of the Commission. Dr. Faison was previously employed by Rowan University (NJ) in a variety of roles, including Professor of Education, Assistant Dean of Education, Associate Dean of Education, Associate Provost, Interim Provost, and Special Assistant to the President. Dr. Faison is a former member of the Board of Examiners for the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, and a former member of the Boards of Directors for the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and the South Jersey Technology Park. She holds a B.S. degree in Elementary/Special Education from Hampton University (VA), an M.A. in Educational Media from The Ohio State University, and an Ed.D. in Instructional Technology from Temple University (PA).

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Ms. Diana Bonner

Executive Assistant to the Vice Presidents
Institutional Field Relations

Phone: 267-284-5030

Email: dbonner@msche.org

Ms. Diana Bonner

Ms. Diana Bonner joined the Middle States Commission on Higher Education staff in the role of Executive Assistant to the Vice Presidents staff in 2011. She supports the work of the Vice Presidents as they serve as liaisons to MSCHE member institutions. She also coordinates the process for institutions seeking MSCHE accreditation during the Pre-applicant and Applicant for Candidate Status phases, and is the primary contact for those institutions. Previously, she served as Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Students and Office Manager for Student Affairs at Arcadia University (PA) for nine years. She also has prior experience at St. Joseph’s University (PA) working with international students enrolled in an intensive ESL program. Ms. Bonner completed undergraduate work at Pennsylvania State University.

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Dr. Hilda Colon Plumey

Vice President
Institutional Field Relations

Phone: 267-284-5061

Email: hmcolon@msche.org

Dr. Hilda Colon Plumey

Dr. Hilda Colon Plumey joined MSCHE in February 2018 as a Vice President. In this role, she serves as a liaison to member institutions, provides training to institutions and volunteers, and supports the accreditation decision-making work of the Commission. Dr. Colon Plumey was Dean of Academic Affairs at UPR Humacao from 1986-1989 and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Universidad del Turabo from 1995-1998. In 1999, she was appointed Associate VP for Academic Affairs in Policy for the Ana G. Mendez University System in Puerto Rico before serving as Chancellor of UPR–Humacao from 2002 through 2009. In 2010, she rejoined the staff of the Ana G. Mendez University System, serving as Special Assistant to the System President (2010-2012) and later as Associate Vice President of the System (2012-2017). From 2013 through 2017, she acted as co-principal investigator and Education and Public Outreach Deputy Director of Puerto Rico’s Arecibo Observatory. Additionally, Dr. Colon Plumey was a member of the faculty in the Department of Biology at the University of Puerto Rico–Humacao from 1970 through 2009. Dr. Colon Plumey had served as an evaluation team member and team chair on behalf of MSCHE. She studied all her academic life in institutions in Puerto Rico, obtaining a B.S. from UPR Rio Piedras, an M.S. from the Medical Sciences Campus, and an Ed.D. from Interamerican University.

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Dr. Idna Corbett

Vice President
Institutional Field Relations

Phone: 267-284-5018

Email: icorbett@msche.org

Dr. Idna Corbett

Dr. Idna M. Corbett joined the MSCHE staff as a Vice President in mid-2017. In this role, she serves as a liaison to member institutions, provides training to institutions and volunteers, and supports the accreditation decision-making work of the Commission. Before coming to MSCHE, she served as Vice Provost for Undergraduate Academic Affairs at Northern Kentucky University where she oversaw University-wide curriculum development, academic assessment processes and student support services, and served as liaison to the University’s regional accrediting Commission and state higher education council. Prior to that, she was at West Chester University (PA), where she was Professor of Educational Development and Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Student Support Services. Dr. Corbett had served multiple times as a Peer Evaluator on behalf of the Commission. She earned her Ed.D. from Temple University (PA), her M.A. from Michigan State University, and her B.A. from Goshen College (IN).

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Dr. Ellie Fogarty

Vice President
Institutional Field Relations

Phone: 267-284-5012

Email: efogarty@msche.org

Dr. Ellie Fogarty

Dr. Ellie A. Fogarty joined the staff of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education as a Vice President in January 2010. In this role she serves as a liaison to member institutions, provides training to institutions and volunteers, and supports the accreditation decision-making work of the Commission. She was previously employed by The College of New Jersey as Associate Provost for Planning and Resource Allocation, Deputy Compliance Officer, Executive Assistant to the Provost, and Business & Economics Librarian. She received her Ed.D. in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Fogarty earned her undergraduate degree in Economics & Business Administration from Immaculata University (PA), an M.B.A. with a concentration in General and Strategic Management from Temple University (PA), and an M.L.S. from University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Fogarty is the author of articles published in various professional journals. Several of her case studies were published in the book, “Strategic Management and Business Policy.”

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Dr. Kushnood Haq

Vice President
Institutional Field Relations

Phone: 267-284-5023

Email: khaq@msche.org

Dr. Kushnood Haq

Dr. Kushnood Haq joined the MSCHE staff as a Vice President in summer 2017. In this role, he serves as a liaison to member institutions, provides training to institutions and volunteers, and supports the accreditation decision-making work of the Commission. Dr. Haq came to MSCHE from Hilbert College in Hamburg, NY, where he was Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives and Chair of the Professional Studies Division. In that capacity, he was responsible for planning and implementing new academic programs and strategic initiatives for the College. Prior to Hilbert, he was a faculty member and then Vice President for Academic Affairs at D’Youville College in Buffalo, NY. Dr. Haq has extensive teaching and work experience in the field of business. He earned his Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo, his M.B.A. from St. Bonaventure University (NY), and his B.S. from Canisius College (NY).

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Dr. Sean McKitrick

Vice President
Institutional Field Relations

Phone: 267-284-5020

Email: smckitrick@msche.org

Dr. Sean McKitrick

Dr. Sean A. McKitrick joined the staff of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education as Vice President in 2012. In this role, he serves as a liaison to member institutions, provides training to institutions and volunteers, and supports the accreditation decision-making work of the Commission. He had served as Assistant Provost for Institutional Research and Assessment at Binghamton University of the State University of New York, as Assessment and Accreditation Director at Indiana State University, and as a Dean of Instruction for several institutions. His research interests include for-profit institutions, institutional research, student learning assessment, evaluation of institutional effectiveness, educational research and evaluation. Dr. McKitrick received his undergraduate and Master’s Degrees from Brigham Young University (UT) in international relations and his Ph.D. in political science from the Claremont Graduate University (CA).

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Dr. Stephen Pugliese

Vice President
Institutional Field Relations

Phone: 267-284-5050

Email: spugliese@msche.org

Dr. Stephen Pugliese

Dr. Stephen J. Pugliese joined the MSCHE staff in mid-2017 as Vice President. In this role, he serves as a liaison to member institutions, provides training to institutions and volunteers, and supports the accreditation decision-making work of the Commission. He came to MSCHE from Mount Aloysius College in Cresson, PA, where he served as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, as well as the Accreditation Liaison Officer and as an MSCHE Peer Evaluator. Prior to arriving at MSCHE, Dr. Pugliese served as a Vice President at Immaculata University (PA), Vice Provost for Student Life at St. Bonaventure University (NY), Dean of Students at Marywood University (PA), and other roles at King's College (PA), Villanova University (PA), and Pennsylvania State University. He earned his Ph.D. from Marywood University, his M.S. from Villanova University, and his B.A. from Kutztown University (PA).

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Ms. Erin Mattson

Senior Director for Accreditation Services
Accreditation Services

Phone: 267-284-5066

Email: emattson@msche.org

Ms. Erin Mattson

Ms. Erin Mattson join the Commission staff as the Assistant Director for Accreditation Services in 2012, served as Director for Accreditation Services from 2015 to 2018, and has served in her current role since July of 2018. In her role as Senior Director for Accreditation Services, she leads the Accreditation Services unit and is responsible for the oversight of the Commission’s volunteer management, standing accreditation Committees, and maintenance of the official accreditation record for institutions. Prior to joining Middle States, she served for six years as Senior Admissions Counselor at Temple University (PA). She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Temple University and a Master of Arts from University College Dublin (Ireland).

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Ms. Carmella Morrison

Director for Substantive Change
Accreditation Services

Phone: 267-284-5013

Email: cmorrison@msche.org

Ms. Carmella Morrison

Ms. Carmella Morrison was promoted to Director for Substantive Change at the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in July 2018. She had previously served as Assistant Director for Substantive Change and Assistant Director for Accreditation Services. A member of the Commission staff since 1992, she has served in various roles throughout her tenure. In her current role, Ms. Morrison is responsible for overseeing the Substantive Change procedures. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Development and Leadership from Saint Joseph’s University (PA) and a Master of Business Administration in Management from Eastern University (PA).

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Ms. Tray Patterson

Assistant Director for Accreditation Services
Accreditation Services

Phone: 267-284-5056

Email: tpatterson@msche.org

Ms. Tray Patterson

Ms. Tray Patterson, Assistant Director for Accreditation Services, has been with Middle States Commission on Higher Education since 2016. She works with processes related to Self-Study and Peer Evaluators. With a background in assessment and accreditation, Ms. Patterson has worked with other regional and programmatic accreditors prior to arriving at MSCHE. Her former positions included Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Student Learning and Program Assessment Coordinator, Academic Support Specialist, and Elementary Art Teacher. She graduated with Bachelor of Arts from The Pennsylvania State University and a Masters of Education from The George Washington University (DC).

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Ms. Carmen Scott

Senior Accreditation Services Coordinator (Substantive Change and FollowUp Reports)
Accreditation Services

Phone: 267-284-5064

Email: cscott@msche.org

Ms. Carmen Scott

Ms. Carmen Scott joined the MSCHE staff as Administrative Assistant in April 2009 and is now Senior Accreditation Services Coordinator. She assists with processes related to Substantive Change and Follow-Up. This includes creating an agenda for meetings, and managing the distribution and receipt of Committee materials. Previously, she has worked at Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools assisting the Director in accreditation related activities, including the selection of volunteers for evaluation team visits.

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Mrs. Kathy Ortiz

Accreditation Services Coordinator (Evaluation and MPPR Reports)
Accreditation Services

Phone: 267-284-5015

Email: kortiz@msche.org

Mrs. Kathy Ortiz

Mrs. Kathy Ortiz joined Middle States Commission on Higher Education as Accreditation Service Coordinator in May 2012. Mrs. Ortiz works closely with the Senior Director of Accreditation Services in the processes related to two of the Commission’s Committees, Evaluation and Mid-Point Peer Review. She has over 14 years of experience in higher education, and prior to joining MSCHE, served as Office Manager in the Development Office at The University of the Arts (PA). Mrs. Ortiz studied Business Management at Peirce College and is fluent in Spanish.

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Mr. Brian Kirschner

Director for Communications and Public Relations
Communications and Public Relations

Phone: 267-284-5048

Email: bkirschner@msche.org

Mr. Brian Kirschner

Mr. Brian C. Kirschner joined the Middle States Commission on Higher Education as Director for Communications and Public Relations in April 2018. Mr. Kirschner works closely with MSCHE senior leadership and the Commission to oversee internal and external communications tactics and strategies while managing the MSCHE website and providing support for events. He has more than 22 years of public relations and marketing in higher education and the sports/entertainment industries most recently at University of the Sciences (PA) where he served as Director of Communications from 2006-2018. Prior to his role at USciences, Mr. Kirschner was Director of Communications for the Philadelphia 76ers (2000-2006) and served as Sports Information Director at Temple University (PA; 1996-2000). He holds a Master of Education from Temple and a Bachelor of Arts from Brandeis University (MA).

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Mr. KJ Fitzpatrick

Senior Director for Conferences and Educational Programs
Conferences and Educational Programs

Phone: 267-284-5065

Email: kjfitzpatrick@msche.org

Mr. KJ Fitzpatrick

Mr. KJ Fitzpatrick joined the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in 2008. Mr. Fitzpatrick leads the development and implementation of all functions associated with the Commission’s conferences and events. His prior experience includes organizational management, meetings and exhibit management, educational programs and project management, marketing/adverting, publication editing, and graphic design with various national and international nonprofit associations – including educational, engineering, financial, and medical groups. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University (UT).

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Ms. Victoria Clark

Director for Conferences and Educational Programs
Conferences and Educational Programs

Phone: 267-284-5017

Email: vclark@msche.org

Ms. Victoria Clark

Ms. Victoria E. Clark join the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in 1994 as an Office Assistant and has risen through the ranks from Events Supervisor to Assistant Director to her current role as Director for Conferences and Educational Programs. With the Commission, she works closely with the Senior Director for Conferences and Educational Programs to manage logistical functions and registration for all events (including conferences, workshops, and other assigned special events) offered by the Commission. Prior to joining the Commission, she worked at the University City Science Center and primarily for Ben Franklin Technology Center as an Administrative Assistant to the Senior Vice President. She holds an Associate Degree from Harcum College (PA).