The Middle States Commission on Higher Education formally reaffirms DCC’s accreditation through the next reaccreditation cycle

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — JAN. 11, 2024 — On November 16, 2023, Dutchess Community College received full reaffirmation of accreditation from The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), a demonstration of the institution’s excellence and commitment to high educational standards.

“Accreditation by MSCHE is a significant indication of an institution’s efficacy in fulfilling its mission and goals,” said DCC President Dr. Peter Grant Jordan. “We are proud to have been fully reaccredited through the 2030/31 academic year.”

DCC embarked on an extensive reaccreditation process in fall 2020, culminating in a successful on-site evaluation on April 16 - 19, 2023, which included visits to the College’s Poughkeepsie, Fishkill and Hudson Valley Regional Airport locations. More than 70 faculty and staff from across all departments were involved in preparing the requisite Self-Study report articulating DCC’s adherence to MSCHE’s Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation.

At the MSCHE visiting team’s report-out on April 19, DCC received commendations on all seven standards, with specific praise for the following:

  • Efforts to engage the College and community in the development of DCC’s mission and goals
  • Creation of a strategic enrollment plan focused on recruitment and retention of non-traditional students and underrepresented minority students
  • The community-oriented philosophy of the College and the DCC Foundation
  • Improving processes and transparency of the budget process
  • Promotion by the President and Board of Trustees of a bottom-up shared governance approach

DCC’s Self-Study, a comprehensive 130-page document, was requested by MSCHE for use as a template and point of reference for peer institutions undertaking their Self-Study. The self-study also helped lay the groundwork for the College’s robust 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, which will guide DCC’s strategic direction over the next five years.

“Our college has come a long way since the first Middle States reaccreditation review, I experienced," said DCC’s Board of Trustees Chair, Michael Dupree. "DCC has rebounded strongly, improving enrollment and the College's financial stability. Kudos to members of our MSCHE Steering Committee and the campus community as a whole.” 

DCC’s Middle States Steering Committee was led by three co-chairs: Behavioral Science Department Chair Michael Hall; Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success Scott Schnackenberg; and Chief of Staff and Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness Dr. Susan Rogers.

“I am particularly proud of the degree of involvement we had across the campus,” said Hall. “This was not an easy process and required a significant amount of work over an extended period of time. I believe it speaks highly of our colleagues and sent a message to the visiting team that our campus took the reaccreditation process seriously.” 

Schnackenberg said, “The Middle States reaccreditation process allowed us to take a deep dive into all aspects of the institution. I am grateful for the incredible contributions of my colleagues and fellow co-chairs who helped make it a success.”

“Successfully completing the Middle States reaccreditation process is an incredible accomplishment that relied on the combined efforts of groups across campus,” said Dr. Rogers. “Our full appreciation to the Steering Committee and the entire DCC community for their enthusiastic input and participation.”

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Founded in 1957, Dutchess Community College is a two-year community college that has earned a reputation for providing an outstanding education with the lowest tuition in New York state. The College currently has four locations including its main campus in Poughkeepsie, DCC @ Fishkill, DCC @ HVR Airport, and DCC @ the Partnership. For more information visit www.sunydutchess.edu.