After an extensive feasibility study, Sussex County Community College (SCCC) was incorporated in 1981 after the Department of Education in August of 1981 approved the College to operate as an Article III Community College Agency (Commission). The College offered its first classes in the spring of 1982, through brokering contracts with Upsala College/Sussex Campus and County College of Morris. Under the brokering concept, SCCC paid these institutions for their courses and instructors. SCCC managed the enrollment of students, offered support, basic skills testing, accepted tuition payments, and arranged for textbooks for the classes. Classes were held at Kittatinny High School, High Point Regional High School, Sussex County VO-Tech, and Vernon High School. The College held its first graduation in 1988 with five graduates. As its enrollment grew, the College was authorized by the Department of Higher Education to offer its own classes. The first associate degree program – Business Administration – was approved in 1986.
In January 1992, the Department of Higher Education approved the change in the College’s license from an Article III Community College Agency to an Article I County College. In 1993, the College received its initial accreditation and in June of 1998, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education accredited SCCC for the next ten years.
Located 50 miles from New York City, SCCC has a student body of approximately 3,000 undergraduate students, who come from four different states and 14 foreign countries.
Sussex County Community College continues to be guided by the institutional Mission and Vision
Sussex County Community College provides a dynamic college experience to a diverse community of students that supports the economic prosperity of the region through lifelong learning, and high-quality academic and occupational programs, in an accessible and supportive environment to ensure student success.
Sussex County Community College will be a leader in NJ Higher Education as a premier provider of 21st-century learning opportunities, professional training, and skills development to meet the needs of the people of our community in a globally competitive environment.
Sussex County Community College has chosen to adopt the comprehensive Self-Study review model, as detailed in the MSCHE Self-Study Institute documentation. The 2022-2026 SCCC Strategic Plan will be extended one year, until the completion of the Self-Study review process. The adoption of the comprehensive review model will allow the institution to utilize the Self-Study as an internal environmental scan and to inform the next Strategic Plan which will guide the institution into the future.
This comprehensive review of Sussex County Community College provides an opportunity to assess how well the College is achieving its Mission, while moving forward in actualizing a new vision that will inform the new Strategic Plan.
In the context of the review of the MSCHE Standards for Accreditation, the intended outcomes of the Self-Study are to:
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education Self-Study is organized into a steering committee of 17 individuals that are representative of the college community. The Co-Chairs were selected and invited to participate by President Jon H. Connolly in August 2023. The Steering Committee was selected and invited to participate by the President and Co-Chairs of the Self-Study.
The two co-chairs of the Self-Study are Wendy Fullem, Chief of Staff, and Cory Homer, Vice President of Student Success and Institutional Effectiveness. Immediately after attending the MSCHE Self-Study Institute in November 2023, the two Co-Chairs began a series of meetings with the College president, Dr. Jon Connolly, Ph.D., to design a framework and schedule for completion of the Self-Study. After the framework and schedule were constructed, work began on identifying representatives from the College to serve as members of the Steering Committee.
On October 17, 2023 Dr. Connolly invited these individuals to serve as chairs of the working groups and consequently as members of the Steering Committee:
Standard |
Working Group Chair(s) |
Position |
Standard I |
Stacie Golin, Ph.D. Kathleen Carr, Ed.D. |
Assistant Professor of Sociology/Chair Assistant Dean of Library and Learning Resources |
Standard II |
Diane Harris Stephanie Cooper |
Instructor of Mathematics Director of the College Library |
Standard III |
Mary Thompson, Ph.D. Nancy Gallo, J.D. |
Professor of English/Chair Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs |
Standard IV |
Deborah Lanza Jason Rodriquez |
Assoc. Prof. of Psych. & Program Coord., Foundations for Success Coordinator of Student Engagement & Inclusion |
Standard V |
Nicholas Lionetti Sherry Fitzgerald |
Program Supervisor, Exercise Science Associate Professor of Visual Arts |
Standard VI |
James Gaddy Ketan Gandhi |
Chief Operating Officer Chief Financial Officer |
Standard VII |
Kathleen Okay, Ed.D. Sal Paolucci |
Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Instructor of Business and Economics/Chair |
Evidence Archiver |
Olga Maali Maureen Lynch Saliha Iftikhar |
HR and Institutional Research Special Projects Academic Coordinator Administrative Assistant, Executive Office |
“The institution’s mission defines its purpose within the context of higher education, the students it serves, and what it intends to accomplish. The institution’s stated goals are clearly linked to its mission and specify how the institution fulfills its mission.”
Working Group Membership:
Charge
The working group for Standard I: Mission and Goals will gather, review, and analyze key sources of documentation, institutional processes, and institutional procedures to determine how well Sussex County Community College is meeting the expectations set forth by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education for Standard I.
This working group is expected to analyze institutional strengths, challenges, and opportunities for Standard I as it relates to the institution as a whole, which includes each component of the current Mission Statement and each institutional goal. The work of this group will be pivotal in guiding the development of a new strategic plan for the institution. More specifically this group will examine specific elements of the Mission Statement as they relate to Standard I, including:
In addition to the specific elements of the Mission Statement, this group will examine the following Institutional Goals in the context of Standard I:
Lines of Inquiry Standard I
“Ethics and integrity are central, indispensable, and defining hallmarks of effective higher education institutions. In all activities, whether internal or external, an institution must be faithful to its mission, honor its contracts and commitments, adhere to its policies, and represent itself truthfully.”
Working Group Membership:
Charge
The working group for Standard II: Ethics and Integrity, will gather, review, and analyze key sources of documentation, institutional processes, and institutional procedures to determine how well Sussex County Community College is meeting the expectations set forth by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education for Standard II.
The principles of ethics and integrity are embedded throughout the entirety of the institution. Because of this, the working group for Standard II is expected to analyze institutional strengths, challenges, and opportunities for Standard II, as it relates to the institution as a whole. More specifically this group will examine specific elements of the Mission Statement as they relate to Standard II, including:
In addition to the specific elements of the Mission Statement, this group will examine the following Institutional Goals outlined in the 2022-2026 Strategic Plan in the context of Standard II:
Lines of Inquiry Standard II
“An institution provides students with learning experiences that are characterized by rigor and coherence at all program, certificate, and degree levels, regardless of instructional modality. All learning experiences, regardless of modality, program pace/schedule, level, and setting are consistent with higher education expectations.”
Working Group Membership:
Charge
The working group for Standard III: Design and Delivery of the Student Experience, will gather, review, and analyze key sources of documentation, institutional processes, and institutional procedures to determine how well Sussex County Community College is meeting the expectations set forth by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education for Standard III. In addition, this working group is expected to analyze institutional strengths, challenges, and opportunities for Standard III as it relates to the institution as a whole. More specifically this group will examine specific elements of the Mission Statement as they relate to Standard III, including:
In addition to the specific elements of the Mission Statement, this group will examine the following Institutional Goals in the context of Standard III:
Lines of Inquiry Standard III
“Across all educational experiences, settings, levels, and instructional modalities, the institution recruits and admits students whose interests, abilities, experiences, and goals are congruent with its mission and educational offerings. The institution commits to student retention, persistence, completion, and success through a coherent and effective support system sustained by qualified professionals, which enhances the quality of the learning environment, contributes to the educational experience, and fosters student success.”
Working Group Membership:
Foundations for Success:
Charge
The working group for Standard IV: Support of the Student Experience, will gather, review, and analyze key sources of documentation, institutional processes, and institutional procedures to determine how well Sussex County Community College is meeting the expectations set forth by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education for Standard IV. In addition, this working group is expected to analyze institutional strengths, challenges, and opportunities for Standard IV as it relates to the institution as a whole. More specifically this group will examine specific elements of the Mission Statement as they relate to Standard IV, including:
Statement, this group will examine the following Institutional Goals in the context of Standard IV:
Lines of Inquiry Standard IV
“Assessment of student learning and achievement demonstrates that the institution’s students have accomplished educational goals consistent with their program of study, degree level, the institution’s mission, and appropriate expectations for institutions of higher education.”
Working Group Membership:
Athletics and AVP of Student Success:
Charge
The working group for Standard V: Educational Effectiveness Assessment will obtain, analyze, and present evidence that the College is engaged in an iterative process of evaluating whether students are learning what the College intends for them to learn. Additionally, the Working Group is charged with examining, documenting, and describing the assessment of learning among programs and different populations of students at the College and for creating lines of inquiry that interrogate our on-going processes assessing student learning. This working group is expected to analyze institutional strengths, challenges, and opportunities for Standard V as it relates to the institution as a whole. More specifically this group will examine specific elements of the Mission Statement as they relate to Standard V, including:
In addition to the specific elements of the Mission Statement, this group will examine the following Institutional Goal in the context of Standard V:
Lines of Inquiry Standard V
“The institution’s planning processes, resources, and structures are aligned with each other and are sufficient to fulfill its mission and goals, to continuously assess and improve its programs and services, and to respond effectively to opportunities and challenges.”
Working Group Membership:
Charge
In accordance with Middle States Standard VI: Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement, the Working Group for Standard VI is charged with a completing a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of Sussex County Community College’s planning processes, resource allocation, and institutional structures in order to determine that they are coherent, aligned, and adequate to support the fulfillment of the institution's mission and goals. The College should demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement, robust program and service assessment, and effective response strategies to address both anticipated and unforeseen opportunities and challenges.
More specifically the Working Group for Standard VI will examine specific elements of the Mission Statement as they relate to Standard VI, including:
In addition to the specific elements of the Mission Statement, this group will examine the following Institutional Goals in the context of Standard VI:
Lines of Inquiry Standard VI
“The institution is governed and administered in a manner that allows it to realize its stated mission and goals in a way that effectively benefits the institution, its students, and the other constituencies it serves. Even when supported by or affiliated with governmental, corporate, religious, educational system, or other unaccredited organizations, the institution has education as its primary purpose, and it operates as an academic institution with appropriate autonomy.”
Working Group Membership:
Charge
The working group for Standard VII: Governance, Leadership, and Administration will gather, review, and analyze key sources of documentation, institutional processes, and institutional procedures to determine how well Sussex County Community College is meeting the expectations set forth by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education for Standard VII.
In order to ensure that the College is committed to the public interest and complies with applicable standards, rules, policies, and procedures that are in line with the College's values, mission, and goals, the College charges the working group for Standard VII with demonstrating that all levels of college leadership and governance, including the Board of Trustees, administration, staff, faculty, and students, operate with integrity and within a transparent and well-defined governance structure. In addition, this working group is expected to analyze institutional strengths, challenges, and opportunities for Standard VII as it relates to the institution as a whole. More specifically this group will examine specific elements of the Mission Statement as they relate to Standard VII, including:
In addition to the specific elements of the Mission Statement, this group will examine the following Institutional Goals in the context of Standard VII:
Lines of Inquiry Standard VII:
MISSION ELEMENTS |
Working Group #1 |
Working Group #2 |
Working Group #3 |
Working Group #4 |
Working Group #5 |
Working Group #6 |
Working Group #7 |
Providing a dynamic college experience |
P |
S |
S |
P |
S |
P |
P |
Serving a diverse community of students |
P |
P |
S |
P |
S |
S |
P |
Supporting regional economic prosperity |
P |
S |
S |
S |
S |
P |
P |
Providing high-quality academic and occupational programs |
P |
P |
P |
S |
P |
P |
P |
Supporting an accessible and supportive environment |
P |
P |
P |
P |
P |
S |
P |
2022-2026 INSTITUTIONAL GOALS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Strengthening and supporting high-quality academic and occupational programs |
P |
S |
P |
S |
P |
P |
P |
Providing an accessible and supportive environment |
P |
P |
P |
P |
P |
S |
P |
Offering a dynamic college experience |
P |
S |
S |
P |
S |
P |
P |
Fostering lifelong learning |
P |
S |
P |
S |
P |
P |
P |
Embracing and strengthening an inclusive college community |
P |
P |
S |
P |
S |
S |
P |
P: Primary S: Secondary |
The final report will consist of a comprehensive self-evaluation of how well Sussex County Community College is achieving the institutional mission and meeting the expectations set forth by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Additionally, the final report will include corresponding recommendations that will better guide the College in developing the next strategic plan. There will be four primary sections in the final report consisting of an Executive Summary, an Introduction, Individual Working Group Analyses and Recommendations, and a Conclusion.
Guidelines will be provided to each of the working groups to maintain a consistent style throughout all of the documentation in the Self-Study process. The writing and editing of the Self-Study Report is understood by Sussex County Community College to be a multi-phasic process that will include input and feedback by the College Community throughout every step of the process.
Each of the Working Groups will be made aware that final editorial changes will be made by the Self-Study Steering Committee. Additionally, it will be conveyed to each of the Working Groups that the utilization of consistent style throughout the process will allow interim reports to be more easily combined together.
To ensure that each section of the working draft is well-written and concise, each Working Group will assign a group member to act as the primary writer. This writer will ensure there is a consistent format among the drafts generated by the Working Groups by utilizing the following elements:
Date |
MSCHE Self-Study Process |
2023 |
|
Fall 2023-Monthly |
All-College MSCHE Standards Open Forums |
September 2023 |
Self-Study Co-Chairpersons confirmed |
October 2023 |
MSCHE Self-Study Institute |
November 2023 |
Self-Study All-College Kickoff |
December 2023 |
Confirm Steering members |
December 2023 |
Schedule Conference Call with MSCHE Vice President Liaison Dr. Sean McKitrick |
2024 |
|
January 2024 |
Standard Working Group members selected |
January 2024 |
Expand the College’s website to include Self-Study Information |
January 2024 |
Remaining members of Working Groups confirmed |
February 2024 |
Self-Study Core Team provided information about Self-Study |
February 2024 |
Conference call with Dr. Sean McKitrick |
February 2024 |
Initial meeting with Steering Committee |
March 2024 |
MSCHE Self-Study Kick-off |
March 2024 |
Working Groups given charge by respective Steering Committee Member |
April 2024 |
Finalized Draft Self-Study Design |
April 2024 |
Self-Study Design sent to Dr. McKitrick |
April 2024 |
Host conference call with Dr. McKitrick |
May - June 2024 |
Revisions to be made based on feedback from Dr. McKitrick |
June 2024 |
Updated Self-Study Design approved |
July - December 2024 |
Working Groups to submit outlines and evidence needed for Standards |
July – December 2024 |
Working Groups Gather Feedback from College Community |
December 2024 |
First Drafts of Chapters Submitted to Steering Committee |
2025 |
|
February 2025 |
Steering Committee to provide feedback on chapter drafts and gap analysis |
March 2025 |
SCCC and Visiting Team Chair Select Dates for Team Visit |
March 2025 |
SCCC to send a copy of the Self-Study Design to the Visiting Team Chair |
April 2025 |
Second Drafts of Chapters Submitted to Steering Committee |
April-July 2025 |
Co-Chairs Develop Self-Study Draft |
September 2025 |
College Community Reviews Self-Study Draft |
Fall 2025 |
SCCC Sends Self-Study Draft to Team |
Fall 2025 |
Visiting Team Chair Visit to Campus |
Fall 2025 |
College completes final version of the Self-Study Report with edits based on Team Chair’s feedback and final feedback from college community |
2026 |
|
Spring 2026 |
Team Visit to Sussex County Community College Campus |
Spring 2026 |
Team to submit Team Report to College President |
Spring 2026 |
College President to respond to Team Report |
Spring 2026 |
Commission to meet and determine accreditation status |
Community involvement is of the highest importance to Sussex County Community College and appears throughout the College’s Vision, Core Values, and Strategic Plan. The Middle States publication, Self-Study, Creating a Useful Process and Report, reinforces the need for the involvement of the entire college community throughout the Self-Study process.
In an effort to address this need, a Self-Study Communication Plan has been developed by the Institutional Marketing Department and the Self-Study Co-Chairs. Specific aspects of this plan feature:
Additional opportunities for community involvement will include scheduled meetings during the Self-Study preparation visit with the MSCHE liaison. Public forums dedicated to the completed Self-Study draft will be scheduled and the entire college community will be invited to read and comment on the final Self-Study report.
The following description of individuals serves as the Institution’s recommendations concerning the characteristics of the Self-Study Chairperson and Evaluation Team Members. These descriptions were formed by careful consideration of the Institution’s current status as well as the strategic direction of the Institution.
Comparative institutions in the Middle States Accreditation Region include:
The Steering Committee believes representatives from institutions within the immediate tristate area or the state of New Jersey may present conflicts of interest.