Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website

St. John's University is advancing its accreditation review process with a series of town hall meetings, as part of its assessment by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The second of three scheduled meetings took place on October 24 at the D’Angelo Center, where faculty and administrative experts presented findings from two years of research and interviews.

Marc E. Gillespie, Ph.D., Senior Vice Provost for Clinical Operations, Graduate Research, Assessment, Accreditation, and Institutional Analytics, stated that “assessment is our opportunity to review our contract with our customers, who are our students.” He emphasized the importance of regularly evaluating student feedback to improve educational outcomes.

The reaccreditation process occurs every eight or ten years for MSCHE member institutions. It involves a self-study phase followed by an on-site evaluation. St. John’s University has been preparing through working groups focused on seven self-study areas since 2022. Site visits are planned for February and March at their locations in Queens, Manhattan, and Rome.

During the recent town hall meeting attended by about 70 people in person and over 30 via live stream, findings highlighted the university's commitment to academic excellence and student well-being. Recommendations included revitalizing academic programs and enhancing student support resources.

Steering Committee Cochairs Olga Hilas and James D. Wolfinger have organized these town halls to share insights from their assessments with the university community. The final meeting is set for November 4 at the D’Angelo Center.

“This appraisal gives us a chance to do a 360-degree evaluation of the University’s academic programs,” said Dean Wolfinger. Dr. Hilas noted progress in inclusion and sustainability initiatives at St. John’s, such as operating the new St. Vincent Health Sciences Center on renewable energy.

The upcoming town hall will address resources, institutional improvement, governance, and leadership issues.