RIT takes major step forward in reaccreditation journey as key milestones are achieved this spring

Rochester, New York – Rochester Institute of Technology is moving ahead in its comprehensive reaccreditation process with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, achieving several key milestones this spring that set the stage for the next phase of campus-wide involvement. The university has officially completed the first draft of its self-study, an important step in reaffirming its commitment to academic excellence, student success, and institutional growth.

This initiative is part of a multi-year process that ensures RIT meets the rigorous standards set by its regional accreditor. At the heart of the effort are three core themes guiding the self-study process—student success, research, and community well-being. These pillars were selected by universitywide teams to reflect the institution’s ongoing priorities and long-term goals.

The project is being led by a dedicated steering committee, co-chaired by Chris Licata, vice provost for Academic Affairs and accreditation liaison officer; Larry Buckley, associate professor and senior associate dean in the College of Science; and Risa Robinson, professor of mechanical engineering in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering. Under their leadership, eight working groups collaborated to prepare the first draft of the self-study, which now enters the feedback and refinement phase.

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Starting this September, RIT will launch a campuswide feedback initiative to invite input on the draft from faculty, staff, students, and stakeholders across the broader university community. Licata emphasized that this step is vital for ensuring the final document represents a shared understanding of the university’s strengths, challenges, and aspirations.

“Starting in September, RIT will launch a community feedback process on the self-study draft. This initiative offers an important opportunity for faculty, staff, students, and other RIT stakeholders to contribute insights and ensure our narrative reflects a collective vision of academic excellence and innovation,” said Licata.

The reaccreditation process is not being conducted in isolation. It is closely aligned with RIT’s broader strategic goals. The steering committee is working side-by-side with the university’s Strategic Planning Committee to ensure that the outcomes of the reaccreditation effort also help drive meaningful change across campus. Their goal is to not only meet Middle States standards but to use the process as a vehicle for innovation and strategic growth.

“In tandem with gathering community input, the steering committee is partnering with RIT’s Strategic Planning Committee. Together, they are harmonizing the narrative and recommendations emerging from the self-study priority areas—student success, research, and community well-being. This coordinated effort will not only reinforce our commitment to academic quality but also drive strategic enhancements that meet the evolving needs of our community,” Licata added.

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To further support the initiative, three Affiliate Groups have been formed to dig deeper into the university’s progress on its goals, helping the working groups assess how effectively RIT is delivering on its promises and where there is opportunity for improvement.

As RIT continues this work, university leaders are encouraging widespread participation in the fall feedback phase. The process is being framed not only as a compliance requirement, but as a moment of reflection and forward-looking collaboration.

“We see this as a tremendous opportunity to involve the community in telling the RIT story about how we align with the Middle States quality standards and where there is room for strategic and creative enhancement,” said Licata. “This milestone marks not just a regulatory process but a reaffirmation of our commitment to excellence and continuous improvement at RIT.”

Updates and details on the reaccreditation process are available through the university’s dedicated reaccreditation website, where the community will also be able to access the self-study draft once it is released in the fall.