Dear Colleagues,
Fall is always an active time for our community. Accreditation visits are underway at member institutions, we have just concluded our September Commission meeting, and we are already looking ahead to our Annual Conference in December.
These moments give us important opportunities to engage with our institutions, hear directly from our members, and continue finding ways to strengthen the support we provide. I am grateful for the engagement of our institutional leaders, staff, evaluators, our Commissioners, and for the partnerships that continue to shape our work.
As we move through the fall, I look forward to continued engagement and to sharing important updates from the Commission and across higher education.
Federal Update: AIM Proposed Regulations
NWCCU submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Education on the proposed Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization (AIM) regulations. Our response supports efforts to modernize accreditation, strengthen the focus on student outcomes, reduce unnecessary burden, and support innovation, while also identifying several areas of concern.
Among the issues we raised are the importance of preserving mission-based accreditation, avoiding unnecessary duplication of institutional and state analyses, maintaining appropriate distinctions between the roles of accreditors and government agencies, and preserving the value of institutional expertise in accreditation decision making.
Read NWCCU’s full response to the proposed AIM regulations
2027 Standards for Accreditation Ratified
At its September meeting, the Commission formally ratified the 2027 Standards for Accreditation. This marks an important milestone following significant engagement and input from across our membership. Phased implementation begins in January 2027. Revised guidance documents are being posted on an ongoing basis to the Institution and Evaluator Forms and Guidelines pages of the NWCCU website.
For questions, please contact Executive Vice President, Ed Harri at eharri@nwccu.org.
Accreditation Cycle and Visit Schedule Updates
Visit cycle confirmation letters were sent to all institutions in September, noting any changes to upcoming schedules resulting from the transition to an eight-year accreditation evaluation cycle. Institutions with outstanding Recommendations will receive a separate update in mid-October identifying which Standards apply and noting any applicable language changes.
Please contact your NWCCU liaison with questions about what the transition means for your institution. We want to ensure that institutions have the information and support they need as these changes take effect.
Northlight: Moving Forward Together
At its September meeting, the Board of Commissioners authorized the Bylaws to be updated to reflect our new name:
Northlight Commission for Higher Education (to be known as Northlight).
With the name now approved, our focus has shifted to preparing for the transition. Work is underway on the visual identity, messaging, communications, and other materials that will support the public launch in early 2027 and help our members and partners understand what is changing.
Until the public launch, we will continue to operate and communicate as the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). I look forward to sharing more about Northlight and the transition in the months ahead.
Federal Landscape: Updates for Member Institutions
We continue to monitor federal developments that may affect our institutions. Two recent updates may be particularly relevant to institutional planning.
Defend the Spend. Beginning November 1, 2026, all U.S. Department of Education grant recipients will be required to provide written justification for each payment request when drawing down preapproved funding. The requirement stems from a September 28 ED memo and is part of a broader federal accountability initiative.
Grant recipients should be prepared to document expense categories, program names, and applicable dates for each drawdown request. We encourage institutions to review the memo and coordinate with their grants and finance teams.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Several higher education associations, including the Association of American Universities, have filed suit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security over August guidance that significantly narrowed the Curricular Practical Training program for international students. The guidance limits CPT eligibility to programs required for degree completion, reversing longstanding practice. Institutions with significant international enrollment may wish to monitor the litigation and consult with counsel regarding current CPT practices.
Membership Dues
Invoices for 2026–27 membership dues were sent to member institutions on September 15, with payment due October 15. Thank you to the many institutions that have already submitted payment. If your institution has not yet remitted payment, please take a moment to confirm that the invoice has reached the appropriate office and that payment is in process. For questions about your invoice, please contact Senior Vice President Finance & Administration, Patty Charlton at pcharlton@nwccu.org.
2026 Annual Conference
Our 2026 Annual Conference, Partners in the Possible: Innovation, Integrity, Impact, is quickly approaching, and I hope many of you will join us in Seattle December 1 through 3.
Early bird registration ends October 16. Concurrent sessions are now available, with programming focused on governance and institutional resilience, artificial intelligence, innovative program design, student success, enrollment, and affordability. Tuesday preconference workshops will offer additional opportunities for deeper, hands-on learning. The conference is one of our most valuable opportunities to come together as a community, learn from one another, and engage in conversations about the issues shaping higher education. We look forward to seeing you in December!
As always, please reach out to me or our NWCCU staff with questions.
Thank you for your continued partnership and for the work you do each day in service to students and your institutions.
Selena M. Grace, PhD
President
