NECHE Accreditation 2026

ACCREDITATION & STATE AUTHORIZATION

NECHE Accreditation 2026

Accreditation & State Authorization

UConn Accreditation

New England Commission for Higher Education (NECHE) Accreditation 2026

State Authorization and Compliance for Distance Learning

In fall 2026, the University of Connecticut will undergo a comprehensive review by a visiting team from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The review will evaluate the University’s compliance with the NECHE Standards for Accreditation and ensure that UConn continues to provide a high-quality education to all students across all campuses and instructional modalities. 

UConn’s institutional accreditation applies to all University locations, including Storrs, Avery Point, Hartford, the Health Center, the School of Law (Hartford), Stamford, and Waterbury. 

The review process centers on a University-wide self-study that will be submitted in early summer 2026. The self-study reflects the revised NECHE Standards for Accreditation, demonstrates institutional compliance with key standards, and documents UConn’s ongoing processes for continuous improvement. 

Campus Engagement and Participation

Members of the University community will have opportunities to participate in the accreditation process. Public workshops planned for Spring 2026 will provide opportunities to review and comment on drafts of the self-study. 

During the Fall 2026 site visit, the NECHE visiting team will also meet with representatives from across the University community and multiple campus locations.

Self-Study Organization

Additional information about the self-study process, including the Standards committees and opportunities for participation, is available on the UConn NECHE 2026 community SharePoint site.

The Steering Committee includes the co-chairs of the overall committee, University leadership, and the co-chairs of the five Standards committees.

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 

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 

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)

Co-Chairs 

Philip Hritcko, Dean, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Tadarrayl Starke, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Student Success

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

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

Co-Chairs 

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

Invitation for Public Comments to NECHE for the University of Connecticut Comprehensive Evaluation

The University of Connecticut will undergo a comprehensive evaluation visit on October 4-7, 2026, by a team representing the New England Commission of Higher Education (formerly the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, NEASC).

The New England Commission of Higher Education is a U.S. accrediting commission that provides institutional accreditation. Accreditation is voluntary and applies to the institution as a whole. The Commission, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, accredits approximately 220 institutions in the United States as well as American-style institutions overseas.

The University of Connecticut has been accredited by the Commission since 1931 and was last reviewed in 2016. Its accreditation by the Commission encompasses the entire institution.

For the past year and a half, the University of Connecticut has been engaged in a process of self-study, addressing the Commission’s Standards for Accreditation. An evaluation team will visit the institution to gather evidence that the self-study is thorough and accurate. The team will recommend to the Commission a continuing status for the institution. Following a review process, the Commission itself will take the final action.

The public is invited to submit comments regarding the institution to:

Public Comment on the University of Connecticut
New England Commission of Higher Education
301 Edgewater Place, Suite 210
Wakefield, MA 01880
E-mail: info@neche.org  

Public Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution. The Commission cannot settle disputes between individuals and institutions, whether those involve faculty, students, administrators, or members of other groups. Comments will not be treated as confidential and must include the name, address, and telephone number of the person providing the comments.

Public Comments must be received by October 7, 2026. The Commission cannot guarantee that comments received after that date will be considered.