Dear Colleagues, 
This spring brings both momentum and change across our higher education landscape. I am writing to share updates on the evolving regulatory environment, NWCCU’s federal recognition, and key developments across the Commission, along with opportunities to engage with our work in the months ahead. We remain committed to supporting you and your institutions. As always, please reach out if we can be of assistance.
Federal Updates
The U.S. Department of Education’s Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization (AIM) negotiated rulemaking committee held its first session April 13–17; the second and final session is scheduled for May 18–22. Initial proposals, a summary document, and the list of negotiators are available on the Department’s website.
NWCCU’s federal recognition renewal remains on track, with our full petition submission due in early July 2026 as part of our 2028 re-recognition cycle. This process is central to our role as a US Department of Education recognized accreditor, and we are proceeding with care and diligence to ensure continued alignment with federal expectations. We will keep members informed as this work progresses.
Commission News
NWCCU’s Standards Revision and Feedback
The second draft of the 2027 Standards is now available for review and comment. Institutional CEOs and ALOs were sent an institutional survey to provide feedback on the second draft of Standards in the beginning of April, with a survey closing date of Friday, May 8. Please consider submitting whatever feedback you can. Input from all stakeholders has been exceptionally valuable in informing the proposed changes to date. You can expect to see the updated version that will go to the Board of Commissioners later in June. We plan to finalize the draft for Board action in July and a membership vote in August–September, with implementation in 2027.
Board of Commissioner Elections
NWCCU received an exceptional pool of nominations for this year’s Board of Commissioners election. Thank you all for your support in providing an excellent slate of nominees. The Executive Committee has approved the slate of candidates, reflecting the strength and commitment of our membership. Ballots have been distributed to member institutions. We encourage you to take a moment to cast your vote. As a reminder only the President/CEO is eligible to vote on behalf of their institution, and ballots must be in by May 19.
NWCCU and Partners Advance Workforce Education – Webinar Friday, May 8!
NWCCU has joined MSCHE, WSCUC, and the National Accreditation Commission (NAC) in a new partnership to accelerate workforce education and support state economic development. Together, we serve more than 900 institutions and 6.3 million students, with a shared commitment to ensuring accreditation supports institutional agility and quality. Hear directly from President Dr. Selena Grace and her counterparts on the EdUp Experience podcast — listen here — and join us for a live webinar on May 8, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET to learn more. Register for the webinar here.
NWCCU to Co-Lead CHEA Accreditor Leadership Roundtable
I’m excited to share that NWCCU is a founding participant in a new initiative from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA): the Accreditor Leadership Roundtable. This monthly forum brings together accreditor presidents to share perspectives, address common challenges, and strengthen public understanding of how accreditation drives quality and student success. At a time of significant policy change, this kind of sustained, coordinated leadership is exactly what our field needs. Link to Press Release
NWCCU Finance Office Updates
The NWCCU Finance Office has had staff changes and implemented new process updates to improve efficiency. Kayli Martin no longer works for NWCCU, and we thank her for her years of service. Moving forward, please update your records to list Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration, as the primary contact (pcharlton@nwccu.org) for all billing and finance related matters. Other questions and reimbursement requests should be sent to AccountsPayable@nwccu.org.
We will be communicating further guidance to Commissioners and Evaluators regarding reimbursements. The new system we are using is the BILL platform, so you may begin seeing communications from there. Please reach out to SVP Charlton with any questions.
NWCCU’s 2026 Annual Conference
The Call for Proposals is now open for concurrent sessions at NWCCU’s 2026 Annual Conference December from 1-3, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency in Seattle, Washington! We are seeking proposals for sessions that reflect this year’s theme, Partners in the Possible: Innovation, Integrity, Impact. For more information and the proposal submission form, visit the Call for Proposals webpage. The Proposal deadline is June 1, 2026.
We are also pleased to announce that NWCCU is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Beacon Award for Excellence in Student Achievement and Success! The Beacon Award celebrates institutional or programmatic accomplishments that have resulted in improved student success at NWCCU member institutions. For more information on the award criteria, the nomination process, and past winners, visit the Beacon Award webpage. Nominations close on August 14, 2026.
Registration for the Annual Conference will open in early June—watch the Annual Conference webpage for programming and registration details!
Thank you for your continued partnership and engagement.
Please reach out if we can be of assistance.
Selena M. Grace, PhD
President
