Middle States Accreditation
Nassau Community College (NCC) of the State University of New York has been accredited
by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) since 1967. MSCHE is an institutional accreditor recognized by the United States
Department of Education that serves as an independent voice in higher education.
Middle States accreditation assures our students and the public of the educational
quality of NCC. An institution is accredited when the educational community has verified
that its goals are achieved through self-regulation and peer review. Accreditation
reviews typically occur on an eight-year cycle, during which MSCHE evaluates the College’s
quality and compliance with established standards. During this process, NCC conducts
a Self-Study in an effort to seek reaffirmation of accreditation as part of the College’s
ongoing commitment to continuous self-improvement.
For comprehensive information about Middle States accreditation, please visit: www.msche.org
2025 Reaccreditation
In Fall 2022, the NCC Middle States Steering Committee drafted a Self-Study Design
with input from community stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
The NCC 2024-2025 Self-Study Design document was approved by Middle States, through
its designee, Dr. Robert Bonfiglio, on May 30, 2023.
View Approved Self-Study Design
Following approval of the Self-Study Design, the College engaged in the comprehensive
and rigorous self-evaluation process in preparation for the site visit by Middle States
representatives in Spring 2025. A preliminary report was shared by the MSCHE evaluation
team on the final day of the visit in March 2025, to which the College provided an
official institutional response.
On June 26, 2025, the preliminary report was officially approved as submitted by MSCHE and the College’s accreditation was reaffirmed through 2032–2033. The official announcement from the Commission may be read here.
Thank you to the NCC community for your involvement and engagement during this process!
Timeline
The following is the timeline of self-study activities as Nassau Community College
prepared for the Middle States site visit in 2024-2025.
- 2022
-
September 2022:
College consults Middle States. Rather than proceed with a Mid-Point Peer Review,
which was put on hold during the pandemic, the College began preparations for its
Self-Study Design for submission to the Middle States VP designee to NCC, Dr. Robert
Bonfiglio, Vice President of Institutional Field Relations for the commission.
October 2022:
Middle States Steering Committee under new Interim President is formed to create the
Self-Study Design.
October 2022:
Institutional Planning Committee reconvenes under new Interim President and begins
development of a five-year Strategic Plan concurrently with the Middle States Self-Study
process. On March 24, 2023, IPC sets the strategic plan timeline to encompass the
years 2023 through 2028.
- 2023
-
March 3, 2023:
Campus-wide information session on the self-study and strategic planning processes
March 21, 2023:
Draft of Self-Study Design to campus for input.
March 27, 2023:
Due date for campus input to Self-Study Design.
April 5, 2023:
Final Self-Study Design draft submitted to Middle States VP liaison Dr. Robert Bonfiglio for review
April 26, 2023:
Dr. Robert Bonfiglio visit to campus.
May 26, 2023:
Final Self-Study Design incorporating recommendations and the required template for the preparation of Working
Group reports, submitted to Dr. Robert Bonfiglio.
May 30, 2023:
Final Self-Study Design approved by Dr. Robert Bonfiglio on behalf of Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
September 2023:
Middle States Working Groups convene for training and data collection.
November 17, 2023:
Middle States Kick Off event for campus community.
December 13, 2023:
Power Point Slides and Zoom Recording of November 17, 2023 Middle States and 2023-2028 Strategic Plan Information Session
shared with the campus community. Community invited to share feedback and input via
survey.
December 20, 2023:
Due date for campus input via survey.
- 2024
-
February – March 2024:
Middle States information activities with students
- Student Government Association: February 5, 2024
- Student Activities Fair: February 29, 2024
- Student Senate: March 4, 2024
April 7 – 10, 2024:
Mock Middle States Visit by SUNY Council on Assessment.
April 26, 2024:
Report and Resources from Mock Middle States Visit by SUNY Council on Assessment shared with the campus
community.
July – August 2024:
Working Groups meet as needed to address Lines of Inquiry, identify and gather evidence,
collaborate with other committees, and continue to draft Self-Study Chapter Reports.
September – October 2024:
- Steering Committee resumes weekly meetings.
- Working Groups meet regularly to address Lines of Inquiry; identify and gather evidence
that supports Standard and Requirements of Affiliation under focus; collaborate internally
and externally; carry out gap analyses; and draft Self-Study Chapter Reports.
- Steering Committee members and the communications team engage and update student groups.
October 18, 2024:
Draft Self-Study Report sent to MSCHE Team Chair.
October 29 – 30, 2024:
NCC hosts MSCHE Team Chair visit.
November 26, 2024:
Steering Committee provides campus community with update regarding the MSCHE Self-Study
Report and March visit. Community invited to share feedback and input via email.
• Draft Report
• Chair Visit Summary Report
December 3, 2024:
Due date for campus input.
December 13, 2024:
Second draft of Self-Study Report shared with the campus community. Community invited to share feedback via email.
December 19, 2024:
Due date for campus input on second draft of Self-Study Report.
- 2025
-
January 6, 2025:
Virtual community forum via Zoom for campus input on Self-Study Report.
January 21, 2025:
Final Self-Study Report submitted to MSCHE.
January – February 2025:
- Steering Committee members continue to engage the community and provide updates on
the progress of the Self-Study.
- Preparations take place for the Visiting Team Site Visit (March 9–12, 2025).
March 9 – 12, 2025:
- Visiting Team comes to the campus.
- Preliminary report shared on the last day of the visit.
April 7, 2025:
NCC submits institutional response.
June 26, 2025:
MSCHE Commission meets and announces outcome.
NCC Strategic Planning 2023–2028
Concurrent with the Middle States Self-Study Design process, Nassau Community College
developed a five-year strategic plan tentatively titled, “NCC 2028: Building Connections
to Our Students, Community and Future.” In October 2022, the College’s Institutional
Planning Committee (IPC) embarked on the rigorous process of developing the plan,
which included affirmation of the College’s mission, values, goals, and institutional
priorities as well as the development of seven discrete plans that will guide NCC’s
strategic vision to transform lives through a quality, affordable, public community
college education.
