Cheyney University leaders were joined Friday by state officials. including Gov. Josh Shapiro, to protest what they say is an unjust decision by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education to place the university on probation last November, and they want the Cheyney probation reversed, reports KYW Newsradio.

The probation on the nation’s first historically Black college came based on program assessments made by visiting teams.

“Cheyney University’s probationary status by MSCHE does not reflect the real progress we have made in academics, infrastructure, and student services,” said President Aaron A. Walton.

Walton declared the ruling unjust since accreditation was recommended following two recent evaluations.

The university has made “significant strides” with the implementation of a new student information system and strategy to improve compliance in Title IV student aid and received Title IV recertification from Federal Student Aid through June 2026.

Gov. Josh Shapiro agreed, backing the university in a letter to MSCHE.

“Given the University’s close work with the commission’s liaison and clear progress over the past several years, I believe the Middle States erred in its hasty decision to place Cheyney on probationary status without rationale and without warning,” he said.

The university remains accredited at this time despite the probationary status.

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