Dear Colleagues, 
This has been a defining period for NWCCU. Over the past several months, we have reached important milestones that strengthen our organization, reinforce our commitment to quality, and position us well for the future. I am pleased to share several updates that reflect the progress we have made together and the important work ahead.
Federal Recognition Renewed Through 2028
I am pleased to share that the U.S. Department of Education has completed its review of NWCCU’s petition for continued recognition and has reaffirmed the Commission’s recognition through November 3, 2028. The Department found NWCCU to be in full compliance with every criterion under review, including all seven areas identified during our 2023 review.
This milestone reflects years of thoughtful preparation and an unwavering commitment to continuous improvement. Together, we have strengthened our policies, refined our governance, updated our Handbook and Bylaws, and reinforced the systems that support our work on behalf of member institutions. Throughout this process, we have remained committed to the same high standards of quality, accountability, and integrity that we expect of the institutions we serve.
I extend my sincere gratitude to our Commissioners and staff, whose expertise, diligence, and dedication made this achievement possible. As we look ahead, we will continue advancing our mission with the same commitment to excellence and continuous improvement that brought us to this moment.
Thank you for your partnership and your continued trust in NWCCU.
Strengthening Accreditation Through National Leadership
I also want to highlight the Accreditor Leadership Roundtable, which I have the privilege of co-chairing with CHEA President Nasser Paydar. Bringing together accrediting leaders from across higher education, the Roundtable provides a structured forum for sustained dialogue on the challenges and opportunities shaping our field. Our inaugural convening marked an important step toward strengthening collaboration across the accreditation community, and I remain convinced that this kind of thoughtful engagement with the diverse accreditors that have served higher education well for many decades is essential to advancing quality assurance and serving students and institutions in a rapidly evolving landscape.
This work complements a broader effort underway at NWCCU. We are embarking on a strategic rebranding and name change that reflects both our rich history and our future. While honoring more than a century of service, we are positioning NWCCU to more fully embody the nationally engaged, relationship centered, and forward-looking accreditor we have become. I look forward to sharing more about this work in the months ahead.
Upcoming Commission Meeting
Our Summer Commission Meeting will be held July 7 through 10 at Cedarbrook Lodge in Seattle, Washington. This meeting marks an important milestone, as we welcome seven newly seated Commissioners and a Board that now includes six public members, the highest level of public representation in our history. Beyond welcoming our new Commissioners, the Board will consider a number of institutional matters, including comprehensive institutional evaluations, that reflect the thoughtful and rigorous work at the heart of accreditation.
Proposed Shift to an 8-Year Evaluation Cycle
NWCCU is considering a shift from a seven-year to an eight-year accreditation evaluation cycle, and we want our member institutions to understand what that would mean for them. The proposed change is designed to give institutions more time between key reviews, including more room to make meaningful progress on Recommendations and to respond and prepare before the next comprehensive evaluation. We are also proposing a strengthened Annual Report to ensure NWCCU stays closely engaged with each institution’s financial health throughout the evaluation cycle. We invite institutional leaders to review the full proposal on our website and share any feedback with NWCCU Executive Vice President Ed Harri (eharri@nwccu.org). This will be on the agenda for the Board of Commissioners at their July meeting, so any feedback received before July 6 is greatly appreciated.
Standards Review
Our review of the 2027 Standards is moving forward, shaped directly by your feedback. The third draft that will be presented to the Board of Commissioners at the Summer meeting is posted on our website. We are committed to a standards framework that meets institutions where they actually are today, demonstrates our commitment to supporting institutions in delivering on their mission and continuous improvement while maintaining the rigor that makes NWCCU accreditation mean something. Thank you to everyone who took the time to engage in this important work.
Annual Conference Registration and The Beacon Awards
Registration is now open for our 2026 Annual Conference, and I hope you will join us! These few days together, connecting, learning, and recommitting to the work we share, are one of my favorite events of the entire year. We are also accepting nominations for the 2026 Beacon Award for Excellence in Student Achievement and Success, which recognizes outstanding institutional and programmatic accomplishments across our member institutions. Conference details, award information, and the nomination form are available on our website. Beacon Award nominations are due by August 15.
These past several months have been a season of meaningful change and progress for NWCCU. Throughout it all, your trust and engagement have been invaluable, and I am sincerely grateful. Our member institutions remain at the center of every decision we make, and I am honored to continue serving alongside you as we advance our shared mission and commitment to student success. Thank you for your partnership and for the confidence you place in NWCCU.
Selena M. Grace, PhD
President
