Cranford, NJ – UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ has received official notice that the institution’s accreditation has been reaffirmed by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). This is a significant milestone in the College’s ongoing commitment to its Mission, student learning and support services, institutional improvement, and leadership.
Institutions in the MSCHE region undergo a comprehensive self-study and peer review to renew their certification every eight years. The preparation for the visit was led by the College’s self-study tri-chairs, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Sara Lacagnino, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Humanities Dr. Melissa Sande, and Associate Professor of Business Marc Postiglione. More than 140 UCNJ faculty and staff members participated in the process, contributing to the self-study and engaging directly with the visiting peer review team.
“Accreditation reaffirms the strength of our academic programs, student support services, integrity, and operational effectiveness,” stated UCNJ’s President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin. “This achievement reflects the dedication of our faculty and staff who work daily to ensure our students receive excellent and affordable education.”
The MSCHE is a non-governmental, peer-reviewed organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. It accredits more than 500 colleges and universities, ensuring that institutions uphold rigorous standards of quality and continuous improvement.
With its accreditation reaffirmed, UCNJ continues to provide educational opportunities both in-person and virtually to thousands of students across its campuses and locations. The College offers over 65 academic programs and was selected as a 2025 finalist for the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program.
UCNJ is a public comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic programs and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to the Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research Lab. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 10 community colleges in the country as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more about UCNJ, visit www.ucc.edu.