2025-2026 Self-Study Report UPR-Cayey

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Foto de Dr. JUAN F. CARABALLO RESTOAt the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey, we take deep pride in our longstanding tradition of interdisciplinary academic excellence, research, and service. As Accreditation Liaison Officer, it is an honor to accompany and support an institution that has educated and inspired generations of professionals, researchers, and leaders whose contributions continue to shape Puerto Rico and extend well beyond our shores.

 

This Self-Study Report reaffirms our steadfast commitment to quality, innovation, and continuous improvement as we advance through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) reaccreditation process.

 

UPR Cayey remains a cornerstone of higher education, recognized for the strength of its academic programs, the dedication of its faculty, and the accomplishments of its students. Our graduates excel in a wide range of fields, reflecting the enduring value of a UPR Cayey education in a rapidly changing world. Through academic innovation, research excellence, and meaningful community engagement, we ensure that our students benefit from a rigorous, ethical, relevant, and transformative educational experience.

 

A benchmark of our identity is our designation in the Carnegie Classification (2015) as a Baccalaureate College with an Arts and Sciences Focus—the only campus within the UPR System with this distinction. This recognition underscores our institutional mission to provide a robust undergraduate liberal education that equips students for lifelong learning, civic responsibility, and diverse career pathways.

 

Over the years, UPR Cayey has met challenges with fortitude and purpose, guided by strategic planning, academic distinction, and institutional strength. We continue to enhance our academic offerings, research infrastructure, and student support services while reinforcing our capacity for innovation and growth.

 

As we embark on this reaccreditation process, we reaffirm our unwavering dedication to continuous improvement and institutional excellence. I invite our entire university community to take pride in our collective achievements and to join together in advancing UPR Cayey’s mission of education, research, and service for the benefit of Puerto Rico and the global community.

 

As such, the purpose of this website is to establish a transparent and accessible platform for the entire UPR Cayey community to follow the process. By providing resources, schedules, and information about MSCHE-related events, the UPR Cayey Steering Committee ensures that stakeholders are well-informed and involved throughout the self-study process.  We firmly believe this approach promotes collaboration and feedback, which are crucial for a successful accreditation process.

 

If there are specific questions or areas you would like to engage regarding this process or related topics, feel free to contact the steering committee using the Contact Us section of the website.

 

Juan F. Caraballo-Resto, PhD

Accreditation Liaison Officer

 

Spanish Version

Standards and Working Groups

Introduction

The University of Puerto Rico at Cayey has initiated its 2025-2026 MSCHE Self-Study.  The Working Groups (WG) are organized by MSCHE standards.  We appreciate the commitment and diligence shown by each WG member mentioned below:

Standard I: Mission and Goals

The institution’s mission defines its purpose within the context of higher education, the students it serves, and what it intends to accomplish. The institution’s stated goals are clearly linked to its mission and specify how the institution fulfills its mission.  Working Group for Standard I

Prof. Vionex Marti – Steering Committee

  • Dr. Isar Godreau – Interdisciplinary Research Institute
  • Dra. Belinda Román – Biology Department
  • Prof. Gustavo Salvarrey – Library
  • Dr. Rosana Garafls – Social Sciences Department
  • Ms. Nissi San Antonio – Finance Office

 

Standard II - Ethics and Integrity

Ethics and integrity are central, indispensable, and defining hallmarks of effective higher education institutions. In all activities, whether internal or external, an institution must be faithful to its mission, honor its contracts and commitments, adhere to its policies, and represent itself truthfully.  Working Group for Standard II

Ms. Jessica Rosario – Steering Committee

  • Mr. Juan E. Santiago – Human Resources Office
  • Dr. Ruth N. Mercado – CEDE
  • Dr. Gladys M. Laboy – Title IX

Standard III - Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience

An institution provides students with learning experiences that are characterized by rigor and coherence at all programs, certificates, and degree levels, regardless of instructional modality. All learning experiences, regardless of modality, program pace/schedule, level, and setting are consistent with higher education expectations.  Working Group for Standard III

Dr. Juan Caraballo Resto – Steering Committee

  • Prof. Awilda M. Caraballo – Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
  • Prof. Ana M. Soto – Business Administration Department
  • Dr. Héctor Isona – Library
  • Ms. Ana Rivera – Library
  • Dr. Clary Enid Ramos – Distance Education Division
  • Dr. Wilfredo Resto – Chemistry Department/U-RISE Program
  • Dr. Sally J. Delgado – English Department

 

Standard IV - Support of the Student Experience

Across all educational experiences, settings, levels, and instructional modalities, the institution recruits and admits students whose interests, abilities, experiences, and goals are congruent with its mission and educational offerings. The institution commits to student retention, persistence, completion, and success through a coherent and effective support system sustained by qualified professionals, which enhances the quality of the learning environment, contributes to the educational experience, and fosters student success. Working Group for Standard IV

Mr. Hecberto Falcón – Steering Committee

  • Dr. Carilú Pérez – CEDE
  • Ms. Daisy Ramos – Registrar
  • Dr. Rochellie Martínez – Dean of Students Affairs
  • Mr. Jesús Martínez – DECEP
  • Dr. Dalvin Méndez – Chemistry Chair Department
  • Dr. Thayra M. Reyes – English Department

 

Standard V - Educational Effectiveness Assessment

Assessment of student learning and achievement demonstrates that the institution’s students have accomplished educational goals consistent with their program of study, degree level, the institution’s mission, and appropriate expectations for institutions of higher education. Working Group for Standard V

Dr. Xiomara B. Santiago – Business Administration Chair Department

  • Dr. Gabriel Román – Education Department
  • Dr. Patria C. López de Victoria – English Department
  • Dr. María I. de Jesús – Natural Sciences General Program Coordinator

Standard VI - Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement

The institution’s planning processes, resources, and structures are aligned with each other and are sufficient to fulfill its mission and goals, to continuously assess and improve its programs and services, and to respond effectively to opportunities and challenges. Working Group for Standard VI

Prof. Fernando Vázquez Calle – Steering Committee

  • Ms. Ana M. Rivera Segarra – Budget Office
  • Dr. Ángel A. Ortiz – Business Administration Department
  • Ms. Enid M. Ríos – Human Resources Director
  • Mr. Carlos E. Rosas – Dean of Administrative Affairs
  • Dr. Rosario Rivera – Social Science Department
  • Mr. Víctor M. Alvarado – Student Council

 

Standard VII - Governance, Leadership, and Administration

The institution is governed and administered in a manner that allows it to realize its stated mission and goals in a way that effectively benefits the institution, its students, and the other constituencies it serves. Even when supported by or affiliated with the institution has education as its primary purpose, and it operates as an academic institution with appropriate autonomy.

Working Group for Standard VII

Ms. Katherine I. Vázquez Rivera, Steering Committee

  • Ms. Rosalía Ortiz – Chancellor’s Office
  • Mr. Raymond Rodriguez Burgos – Student Council

Timeline

Year 2025

DATE ACTIVITY
July 23, 2024 MSCHE officially approved the Self-Study Design
August 26, 2024 Presentation of evidence and findings by WG 7
September 25, November 26, and December 3, 2024 Follow-up meetings with WGs to discuss the Evidence Assessment Forms
December 10–13, 2024 2024 Annual Conference in Philadelphia
January 31 and February 27, 2025 Follow-up meetings with WGs 5 and 2
April 28, 2025 Virtual meeting with Dr. Lee to discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as other matters related to the Self-Study process
June 4, 2025 Meeting of the SC, convened by Dr. Mario Medina, where he announced his retirement and the appointment of Dr. Juan F. Caraballo-Resto as ALO, effective June 1, 2025. Dr. Caraballo presented the Findings and Recommendations Based on the Evidence Assessment Instrument for Each Standard. The designation of Dr. Patricia Price as Team Chair for UPR Cayey was also announced.
June 5, 2025 Dr. Caraballo-Resto, ALO, presented the Findings and Recommendations Based on the Evidence Assessment Instrument for Each Standard to UPR Cayey administration.
July 7, 2025 Meeting of the SC, convened by Dr. Caraballo-Resto, ALO, to introduce two new members.
July 7, 2025 Meeting with Dean of Administrative Affairs to follow-up on Findings and Recommendations Based on the Evidence Assessment Instrument for Each Standard pertaining to his deanship.
July 9, 2025 Meeting with Director of Budget Office to follow-up on Findings and Recommendations Based on the Evidence Assessment Instrument for Each Standard pertaining to her Office.
July 9, 2025 Meeting with Director of Information Technology to follow-up on website update.
July 14, 2025 Official confirmation of MSCHE visits to UPRC:
Preliminary visit – Oct 1-3, 2025
Evaluation Site Visit – March 15-18, 2026
July 23, 28, 29, 2025 Meetings with Director of Planning and Assessment Office to collaborate in the editing of UPRC’s proposed Strategic Plan 2025-2029.
August 5, 2025 Meeting of the SC, convened by Dr. Caraballo-Resto, ALO, to follow-up on outline writing.
August 13, 2025 Appointment of Dr. Rochellie Martínez Vivaz as Acting Chancellor.
August 13, 2025 Meeting with Acting Chancellor, Dr. Rochellie Martínez Vivaz, to briefly discuss the state of affairs pertaining the reaffirmation of UPRC’s accreditation with MSCHE.
August 14, 2025 Meeting with WGs to discuss the outline writing.
August 18, 2025 Appointment of Dr. Juan Santana Palacios as Acting Dean of Academic Affairs.
August 18, 2025 Beginning of Dr. Patricia Price’s travel arrangements, accommodations and logistics for Preliminary Visit.
August 19, 2025 Meeting with Acting Chancellor, Dr. Rochellie Martínez Vivaz, to discuss in detail the state of affairs pertaining the reaffirmation of UPRC’s accreditation with MSCHE.

Year 2024

January 12 MSCHE Steering Committee meeting
January 18 UPR Cayey – MSCHE Webpage Project
January 19 MSCHE Steering Committee meeting
February 2 MSCHE Steering Committee meeting
February 8 MSCHE Self-study presentation at faculty meeting
February 13 MSCHE Steering Committee meeting
February 15 MSCHE Steering Committee meeting
February 23 Working Groups Workshop
February 28 Self-Study Design Draft
March 7 Presentation: Revisión de una década en la Educación Postsecundaria en Puerto Rico
March 15 Self-Study Design Draft Approval
March 27 Final Draft of Self-Study Design submitted to MSCHE
April 10 MSCHE Steering Committee meeting


Year 2023

September 28 Self-Study Institute (SSI) meeting
October 5 Self-Study Institute (SSI) meeting
October 12 Self-Study Institute (SSI) meeting
October 19 Self-Study Institute (SSI) meeting
October 26 Self-Study Institute (SSI) meeting
December 3-7 MSCHE 2023 Annual Conference
December 12 Virtual Meeting with Tiffany Lee


Activities

Working Groups Workshop – February 23, 2024

Reconding by: Jorge López López, OSI

Presentation: Revisión de una década en la Educación Postsecundaria en Puerto Rico March 7, 2024

Recording by: Jorge López López, OSI

Contact Us

Email: msche.cayey@upr.edu

Phone: 787-738-2161 Exts. 2380 / 2378

Postal Address:
P.O. Box 372230
Cayey, PR 00737-2230

Physical Adress:
205 Ave. Antonio Barceló
Cayey, PR 00736