Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, the oldest historically Black college or university in the United States, has reaffirmed its accreditation with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is no longer on probation as of June 27.
In November of 2023, the university was placed on probation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education for failing to provide sufficient evidence they were in compliance with the commission’s standards.
In response to its accreditation reaffirmation, the university released the following statement:
“Cheyney University appreciates Middle States Commission on Higher Education’s (MSCHE) review of our accreditation and its decision to remove our probationary status as of June 27, 2024. This reaffirmation of accreditation by MSCHE validates our unwavering commitment to academic and operational excellence. It also reinforces our view that an accreditation process must be fair and transparent for all institutions of higher education, including HBCUs. While we agree with this decision, we remain disappointed by the process to arrive at this long-overdue outcome and will continue to advocate for equity and transparency. This current Commission decision is consistent with the assessment of three separate MSCHE-appointed peer evaluator teams that visited Cheyney’s campus between February 2023 and April 2024 and formally reported that Cheyney appears to meet the Commission’s Standards of Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation. Middle States’ decision reflects the undeniable progress Cheyney University of Pennsylvania has achieved under the stewardship of our administration, the dedication of faculty and staff, and the relentless support of our countless advocates who have stood by Cheyney throughout this entire process so we can serve our students and continue to uphold the legacy of our institution.”
As part of the recent accreditation update, Cheyney University is required to submit a customary monitoring report by March 1, 2025. The university’s next accreditation evaluation cycle by the MSCHE is scheduled for the 2030-2031 academic year.
