President Gilmour Selected as Middle States Commissioner

Pennsylvania College of Technology President Davie Jane Gilmour has been chosen to serve as a commissioner for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, an association accrediting more than 500 colleges and universities in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and selected locations abroad.

The commission is a voluntary, nongovernmental membership association dedicated to quality assurance and improvement through accreditation via peer evaluation. Middle States accreditation instills public confidence in institutional mission, goals, performance and resources through rigorous accreditation standards and enforcement.

"It is an honor to be selected for this responsibility," Gilmour said. "Accountability, transparency and quality are vital to education, and the commission has a serious responsibility to provide peer leadership, assessment and feedback to its members. I welcome the challenge and the opportunity to serve in the role of commissioner."

Commissioners have a wide range of responsibilities. Many have served, or continue to serve, as members of evaluation teams that visit colleges and universities. Commissioners who are college or university presidents typically serve as chairs of evaluation teams. Commissioners serve on various committees; during the MSCHE's regular meetings in March, June and November, they review committee reports and take accreditation actions. They also hear reports from the organization's president, vice presidents and unit heads; discuss and approve recommended policy changes; and review finances and budget projections.

Member institutions are invited to nominate commissioner candidates. A committee reviews all nominees and selects a slate of candidates who reflect the diversity of institutional types accredited by MSCHE (senior research universities, public colleges and universities, community colleges, nonprofit and for-profit institutions, etc.).

Virtually all those selected have extensive experience serving on Middle States evaluation teams and committees or in other accreditation-related roles. The committee examines the nominees' accreditation experiences and tries to select a mix of people for the ballot with appropriate job responsibilities and skills. Each institution accredited by Middle States is allowed one vote.

After being selected, commissioners participate in a full-day orientation program before beginning their official duties in January.

For more information on the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, visit online .