Dear Bryn Mawr Community,
Bryn Mawr College has begun our Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) reaccreditation self-study, an important institution-wide effort that will continue through the 2027-28 academic year. Accreditation is a process through which colleges and universities evaluate their effectiveness, demonstrate adherence to standards of quality and integrity, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
To support transparency and communication throughout the process, we have launched a dedicated accreditation website which will serve as the central resource for:
- Information about accreditation and the self-study process
- Project timelines and milestones
- Steering Committee and Working Group information
- News and progress updates
- Opportunities for community engagement and feedback
- Resources and key documents
MSCHE has approved our Self-Study Design, which serves as the roadmap for the College's comprehensive review of our mission, educational programs, operations, governance, resources, and institutional effectiveness. Over the next two years, faculty, staff, students, administrators, trustees, and alumnae/i will work together to examine how Bryn Mawr fulfills the MSCHE Standards for Accreditation while identifying ways to strengthen the institution for the future. The self-study will be guided by a Steering Committee and organized around seven Working Groups, each focused on one of the accreditation standards. These groups will gather and analyze evidence, engage with members of the campus community, and contribute to a final report that will be reviewed by an MSCHE evaluation team.
This effort is much more than a compliance exercise. It provides an opportunity to reflect on who we are as an institution, assess how well we are advancing our mission, celebrate our strengths, and identify areas for growth. The process will also help document progress toward the goals outlined in The Next Chapter, the College's strategic direction.
Broad participation from across Bryn Mawr will be essential to a meaningful and productive self-study. Throughout the process, community members will have opportunities to contribute through forums, surveys, feedback sessions, and other campus conversations. We encourage everyone to visit the accreditation website, learn more about the process, and participate as opportunities arise.
Updates will be shared regularly throughout the self-study process.
Thank you for your partnership and engagement.
Sincerely,
Dee Matthews
Provost and Professor of Creative Writing
Accreditation Liaison Officer