URI’s next comprehensive reaccreditation review will culminate in 2027. This multi-year process provides an opportunity for the campus community to reflect on our mission, assess progress, and identify areas for future growth.
Timeline
Fall 2025 – Process launch
The reaccreditation process begins in fall 2025. A campus steering committee and working groups will be established to lead planning, coordination, and communication throughout the self-study process.
Winter 2025 – Listening sessions and surveys
During winter 2025, URI will host open listening sessions and distribute campus-wide surveys to gather perspectives from faculty, staff, students, and administrators. Feedback will help shape the themes and priorities of the self-study.
| Date and time | Standard | Modality |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, January 20, 2026 10:00-11:30 | Standard 5: Integrity, Transparency, and Public Disclosure | Virtual |
| Thursday, January 22, 2026 1:30 – 2:30 | Standard 2: Academic and Co-Curricular Programs and Students | In-person (Great Room, Green Hall) |
| Wednesday, January 28, 2026 9:30 – 10:30 | Standard 2: Academic and Co-Curricular Programs and Students | Virtual |
| Wednesday, January 28, 2026 1:00-2:00 | Standard 5: Integrity, Transparency, and Public Disclosure | In-person (Great Room, Green Hall) |
| Thursday, January 29, 2026 9:30-11:00 | Standard 1: Mission, Organization, Governance, and Planning | Virtual |
| Thursday, January 29, 2026 11:00-12:00 | Standard 3: Institutional Resources | In-person (Great Room, Green Hall) |
| Monday, February 2, 2026 2:00 – 3:00 | Standard 2: Academic and Co-Curricular Programs and Students | In-person (Great Room, Green Hall) |
| Monday, February 2, 2026 1:00-2:00 | Standard 3: Institutional Resources | Virtual |
| Tuesday, February 3, 2026 10:00-11:30 | Standard 1: Mission, Organization, Governance, and Planning | In-person (Great Room, Green Hall) |
| Wednesday, February 4, 2026 9:00 – 10:30 | Standard 4: Educational Effectiveness and the Success of All Students | Virtual |
| Thursday, February 12, 2026 1:00 – 2:30 | Standard 4: Educational Effectiveness and the Success of All Students | In-person (Memorial Union Atrium 1) |
Spring 2026 – Data collection
Throughout spring 2026, academic and administrative units will collect and submit data to one of the 5 NECHE Standard subcommittees demonstrating how URI meets NECHE’s Standards for Accreditation. This work will provide a detailed, evidence-based view of institutional effectiveness across the University.
2026–2027 academic year – Self-study development
During the 2026–2027 academic year, URI will prepare a comprehensive written self-study that reflects our collective accomplishments, identifies opportunities for improvement, and outlines strategies for the decade ahead. This report will form the basis for NECHE’s evaluation and site visit.
Steering and Subcommittee Members
The NECHE reaccreditation effort is led by a university-wide steering committee whose members bring deep expertise and commitment to this important work. We thank them for their leadership and dedication to the University’s future.
Steering Committee Members
| Name | Title/Role | Department/Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Sue Adams (Chair) | Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Initiatives | Office of the Provost |
| John Stringer | Executive Director | Office of Institutional Research |
| Christopher Lavan | Associate Vice Provost | Office for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning |
| Jeanne Hruska | Senior Advisor / Chief of Staff | Office of the Provost |
| Kris Bovy | Professor; Ex Officio Member | College of Arts & Sciences; Board of Trustees |
| Dan Moos | Chief of Staff | Office of the Vice President for Administration and Finance |
| Danielle Dennis | Dean and Professor | College of Education |
| Heather Sharpes-Smith | Executive Director | URI Online |
| Hans Saint Eloi-Cadely | Associate Professor | College of Health Sciences |
| Cornelius Kerwin | Member | Board of Trustees |
| Evan Preisser | Professor | College of Environment and Life Sciences |
| Sean Krueger | Manager, Academic Systems Administrator | Office of the Provost |
Sub-Committee Members
Standard 1: Mission, Organization, Governance, and Planning
| Name | Title/Role | Department/Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Jeanne Hruska (Lead) | Senior Advisor to the Provost and Chief of Staff | Office of the Provost |
| Neil Kerwin | Member | Board of Trustees |
| Chelsea Berry | Senior Advisor to the President and Chief of Staff | Office of the President |
Standard 2: Academic and Co-Curricular Programs
| Name | Title/Role | Department/Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Sue Adams (Chair/Lead) | Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Initiatives | Office of the Provost |
| Kris Bovy (Co-Lead) | Professor | Department of Sociology and Anthropology, College of Arts & Sciences; Board of Trustees |
| Danielle Dennis | Dean | College of Education |
| Ellen Reynolds | Vice President | Division of Student Affairs |
| Dan Graney | Dean of Students | Dean of Students Office |
| Jack Humphrey | Senior Associate Director | Registration and Records, Enrollment Services |
| Emily Lynch | Associate Teaching Professor | Department of Political Science |
| Ingrid Lofgren | Professor, Department Chair | Department of Nutrition, College of Health Sciences |
| Emily Orr | Assistant Director | Office of Institutional Research |
| Kim Stack | Executive Director | Fannon Institute for Student Success |
| David Smith | Professor | Oceanography |
| Pavel Bačovský | Assistant Director, Academic Success | Fannon Institute for Student Success |
| Sean Krueger | Manager, Academic Systems Administrator | Office of the Provost |
| Hans Saint-Eloi Cadely | Professor | Department of Human Development and Family Science |
Standard 3: Institutional Resources
| Name | Title/Role | Department/Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Dan Moos (Lead) | Chief of Staff | Office of the Vice President for Administration and Finance |
| John Poehlmann | Associate Vice President | Financial Strategy and Planning |
| Drew Granucci | Executive Director | Undergraduate Admission |
| Dean Libutti | Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success | Office of the Provost |
| Scotia Roopnarine | Associate Chief Information Officer | Information Technology Services |
Standard 4: Educational Effectiveness and the Success of All Students
| Name | Title/Role | Department/Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Lavan (Lead) | Associate Vice Provost | Office for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning |
| Evan Preisser | Professor | College of Environment and Life Sciences |
| Meredith Armstrong | Director | Center for Career and Experiential Education |
| Sarah Miller | Assistant Director, Career Success (Data & Technology) | Center for Career and Experiential Education |
| Emily Orr | Assistant Director | Office of Institutional Research |
| Jackie Nowell | Associate Vice President, Engagement | The URI Foundation |
| Christy Ashley | Professor and Area Coordinator Marketing | College of Business |
| Heather Sharpes-Smith | Executive Director | URI Online |
Standard 5: Integrity, Transparency, and Public Disclosure
| Name | Title/Role | Department/Unit |
|---|---|---|
| John Stringer (Lead) | Executive Director | Office of Institutional Research |
| Carnell Jones | Director | Enrollment Services |
| Elizabeth Buchanan | Associate Vice President, Research Administration | Division of Research and Economic Development |
| Mackenzie Flynn | Associate General Counsel | Office of the General Counsel |
Get involved
This process belongs to the entire URI community. Your ideas and feedback are vital as we work together to strengthen the University and prepare for our next decade of excellence. More information, updates, and opportunities to participate will be shared throughout the process.