RIT receives positive feedback on reaccreditation after campus visit
Nariman Farvardin, president of Stevens Institute of Technology, serves as the chair of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education evaluation team for RIT. He and seven other evaluators from other universities visited RIT this spring.
RIT is in the homestretch of its reaccreditation process, and all signs are very favorable after a spring site visit by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education evaluation team.
The team, comprised of eight peers selected by MSCHE to conduct the campus visit, assessed RIT’s self-study report and met with campus leaders and stakeholders from March 29 to April 1.
In its findings, the team concluded that RIT appears to meet all accreditation standards and requirements, reflecting the university’s commitment to academic quality, student success, and continuous improvement.
In a formal response to the evaluation team’s report, RIT President Bill Sanders expressed appreciation for the thorough and collegial review process, noting that the findings accurately reflect RIT’s “culture, achievements, and aspirations.” The university accepted the report in full, including its recommendations and collegial advice, and looks ahead to final commission action in June.
The evaluation team highlighted RIT as a “dynamic, forward-looking university” that effectively blends rigorous academics with hands-on learning. The university’s emphasis on experiential education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and global engagement was cited as a defining strength, supported by its co-op model, international campuses, and growing research enterprise.
The university’s new 2035 Strategic Framework, centered on transformative student experiences and success, world-changing research, community well-being and belonging, and global reach and mindset, was recognized as well aligned with its mission and future direction.
The report also identified several university strengths. Among them are a strong culture of ethics and integrity, robust academic programs, and an extensive network of student support services that contribute to retention and success. RIT’s financial position and investment in facilities, research infrastructure, and new academic programs also demonstrate readiness to support continued growth, including its goal of achieving Carnegie R1 research status.
At the same time, the evaluation team offered targeted recommendations to support continuous improvement. These include refining how the university measures progress toward its strategic goals, strengthening assessment processes tied to student outcomes, and reviewing select operational and resource allocation models—particularly as RIT aims to expand research and doctoral programs.
The team found no issues affecting RIT’s compliance with accreditation requirements or federal regulations, affirming the university’s operational integrity and its ability to deliver high-quality education across all programs and global locations.
“Taken together, the reaccreditation review underscores RIT’s position as a globally engaged, innovative university with a clear trajectory for the future,” said Chris Licata, vice provost for Academic Affairs and accreditation liaison officer. “As RIT continues to build on its strengths, the Middle States process provides both validation of its progress and a roadmap for further advancement.”
RIT employees can view the MSCHE external evaluation team report.
