NECHE 2026

In fall 2026 the University of Connecticut will undergo review by a visiting team from the New England Commission for Higher Education (NECHE). The purpose will be to review the University for compliance with the NECHE Standards for Accreditation and to ensure that the University is offering a high-quality education to all of our students, at all locations, and in all modalities. Our institutional accreditation encompasses all University locations (Storrs, Avery Point, Hartford, Health Center, School of Law (Hartford), Stamford, Waterbury).  This review process will be centered on a self-study produced by the University, to be submitted in early summer 2026. The self-study reflects on the revised NECHE Standards for Accreditation, demonstrates our compliance with key standards, and our processes of continuous improvement.  

There will be opportunities for the full University community to engage in the accreditation process, including public workshops in spring 2026 where participants can provide feedback on drafts of the self-study. The visiting team will also meet with various members of the University community as part of the site visit, including those at some of our multiple campus locations.  

Further information on the self-study process, including the Standards committees and opportunities for engagement can be found on the UConn NECHE 2026 community SharePoint.  

The Steering Committee for the self-study comprises of co-chairs of the overall committee, additional leaders from the University, and the co-chairs of the five Standards committees.

Steering Committee Co-Chairs

  • Sarah Croucher, Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Office of the Provost
  • Philip Hunt, Chief of Staff, Office of the President
  • Shinae Jang, Professor in Residence, Civil & Environmental Engineering
  • Leslie Shor, Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of The Graduate School

Standard One: Mission, Organization, Governance, and Planning

Co-Chairs

  • Philip Hunt, Chief of Staff, Office of the President
  • Leslie Shor, Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of The Graduate School
  • Laura Burton, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

Committee Members

  • Jennifer Dineen, Associate Professor In-Residence (CLAS)
  • Joseph McDougald, Professor In-Residence (Law)
  • Maureen Armstrong, Associate Dean of Student
  • Manuela Wagner, Associate Dean for Humanities and Faculty Inclusion and Success (CLAS)
  • Mansour Ndiaye, Assistant Dean (CLAS)

Standard Two: Academic and Co-Curricular Programs and Students

  • Philip Hritcko, Dean, School of Pharmacy
  • Tadarrayl Starke, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Student Success

Standard Three: Institutional Resources

Co-Chairs

  • Dan Schwartz, Vice Provost for Academic Operations
  • Reka Wrynn, Interim Vice President for Finance

Committee Members

  • Heather Ryan, Associate Director for Capital Budget and Special Projects, BPIR
  • Jeff Gagnon, Executive Advisor for Enrollment Analytics & Fiscal Officer, SLE
  • Renee Boggis, Associate Vice President, HR
  • Haleh Ghaemolsabahi, Interim Associate Vice President for Information Technology, ITS
  • Eric Kruger, Vice President for Facility Services and University Planning, Facilities/UPDC
  • Gwen Tarbox, Director, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
  • Darshana Sonpal, University Safety
  • Marc Hatfield, Assistant Registrar, Office of the Registrar
  • Anne Langley, Dean, UConn Library
  • Jason Irizarry, Dean and Professor, NEAG
  • Jennifer Orlikoff, Campus Dean & Chief Administrative Officer, RCs/Stamford

Standard Four: Educational Effectiveness and the Success of All Students

Co-Chairs

  • Lauren Schlesselman, Executive Director, Academic Program Assessment
  • Daniel Burkey, Associate Professor, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, and Castleman Term Professor in Engineering Innovation

Committee Members

  • Liza Boritz, Director of Planning, Assessment, and Evaluation, Student Life and Enrollment
  • Craig Calvert, Assistant Professor in Residence, Director of Management & Engineering for Manufacturing, Business
  • Jamie Kleinman, Associate Professor in Residence, Psychological Sciences/CCC
  • Laura Yahn, Senior Institutional Research Analyst-Student Data and Enrollment, SERU, BPIR
  • Sally Chamberland, Assistant Director, Academic Program Assessment, Office of Academic Program Assessment

Standard Five: Integrity, Transparency, and Public Disclosure

  • Jeff Hines, Vice President of Office of Diversity and Inclusion
  • Cyndi Costanzo, Assistant Vice President for Student Life