MANSFIELD, Pa. — The integration of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield universities has received initial approval by the institutional accrediting agency, Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Accreditation by Middle States is required
by the U.S. Department of Education and assures students, families and
communities the university has completed a rigorous review process and
provides a high-quality education.
In approving the Complex
Substantive Change request, Middle States provides a clear path forward
for these three institutions to officially unite on July 1, 2022.
Northeast
integration leader Dr. Bashar Hanna, president of Bloomsburg and
interim president of Lock Haven and Mansfield universities, feels the
integration will strengthen the three universities.
“Together,
Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield embody the power of three, which
will create a higher education experience, the likes of which, is not
possible without integration,” said Hanna.
“Our mission is to
expand high-quality, affordable academic opportunities that support the
needs of all learners. We are grateful to MSCHE for this expression of
confidence in our approach. Our students deserve the very best of us,
and we are all here in service to them and in support of their bright
futures.”
Chancellor Daniel Greenstein, of Pennsylvania’s
State System of Higher Education, said integration is a key element of
PASSHE’s System Redesign.
“The commission’s decision is
another positive step toward building a powerhouse institution that will
provide more opportunities for students than any of the universities
could on its own,” said State System Chancellor Dan Greenstein.
“It
is a testament to the hard work and dedication of President Dr. Bashar
Hanna and the students, faculty, staff, and trustees at Bloomsburg, Lock
Haven, and Mansfield. Together, they will harness the rich heritage of
partner campuses and combine their strengths in meeting the high
standards required for accreditation while delivering affordable, high
quality, career-relevant education to all.”
Earlier this month, the Board of Governors of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education voted to approve the name Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania to represent the integrated entity for Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield universities. Commonwealth University will not serve as the public-facing identifier, but will remain in the background, allowing the universities to legally and compliantly become one entity while maintaining its strong brands regionally and beyond.