NWCCU March 2026 Update

Dear Colleagues,

As we move into spring, I want to share updates on the important work underway at NWCCU and at our member institutions. Our shared commitment to student success remains at the center of everything we do, and we approach the work ahead with that purpose guiding every decision.

We know the pace of federal activity has created uncertainty for many of you, and I want you to know we are tracking developments with your institutions in mind.

NWCCU’s compliance report was reviewed at the NACIQI meeting on March 2, 2026.  Dr. Harri, our Executive Vice President, and I appeared before NACIQI prepared to speak to our progress on policies related to compliance. While there were no questions related to our compliance matters, we addressed a number of questions around DEI, NWCCU Standards, student learning and student achievement, and participated in the discussions for nearly two hours. The transcript will be available within thirty days of the meeting. I believe we represented NWCCU and our member institutions in excellent fashion. Our full recognition renewal remains on track, with our document submission due in July 2026 as part of our 2028 re-recognition.

The Department has also announced the Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization (AIM) negotiated rulemaking committee, which will convene in April and May to develop proposed regulations on topics including the recognition process for accreditors, student outcomes criteria, and institutional costs. These sessions will shape the regulatory environment for years to come, and we are monitoring them closely. As part of our relationship with C-RAC (Council of Recognized Accreditors), we issued a press release sharing our concerns that none of the seven, historical institutional accreditors were selected as a primary negotiator.

Two additional actions are worth noting: a proposed rule discouraging use of the term “national accreditor” and a separate rule reducing barriers for new accrediting agencies seeking federal recognition. We will continue to keep you informed as these developments unfold. As a reminder, we are in the process of releasing an RFP for our own name change, and we hope, you will all actively engage in the process with us.

Thank you to the many colleagues who participated in our listening sessions this winter. Your input is shaping this work in meaningful ways. Public comment remains open, and a second draft will be available in early April. We are on track to finalize the draft for Board action in July and a membership vote in August through September, with implementation beginning in 2027. We encourage you to stay involved.

Winter 2026 institutional action letters have been issued and accreditation actions are posted on our website. The Nominations Committee is preparing the slate for spring elections as the Board of Commissioners expands from 19 to 26 seats. Nominees will be presented to member institutions for voting in May. NWCCU has strengthened our team with new roles and leadership across the organization. We are also delighted to welcome Dr. Kirsten Winek as Senior Vice President of Legal and Regulatory Affairs. Dr. Winek brings deep expertise in accreditation law and federal regulatory compliance, most recently serving as Accreditation Counsel for the American Bar Association’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. Visit our updated staff directory to connect with the right colleague.

NWCCU policies under consideration and recently approved can be found at NWCCU’s Policy Review page. In March, NWCCU’s Executive Committee approved revisions to four policies: Antitrust Policy; Contracts for Education-Related Services Policy; Gift Policy; and Receipt of Unsolicited Information Policy. Descriptions of the changes can be found at the Policy Review page.

It’s not too late to register for the information session on NWCCU’s exciting new partnership with the Gardner Institute, Strategic Prioritization for Student Success. Register here to join the webinar at 1pm on April 2! Recording will be sent to all registrants following the event. Contact Heather Bennett at hbennett@nwccu.org with questions.

NWCCU has partnered with MSCHE, WSCUC, and the National Accreditation Commission (NAC) to transform quality assurance for workforce training programs by leveraging NAC’s AI-powered AIHub platform to align education with labor market demand. Join leaders from each agency for a live webinar on May 8, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET. Register Here!

NWCCU’s 2026 Annual Conference, Partners in the Possible: Innovation, Integrity, Impact is taking place in Seattle December 1-3, 2026!  Watch for our Call for Proposals for concurrent sessions coming out soon!

As a reminder, please note the following key reporting deadlines. Timely submissions help ensure a smooth review process and support your institution’s continued compliance.

Thank you for the work you do every day on behalf of your students and communities. NWCCU remains committed to supporting your institution, and I welcome you to reach out to me or our staff at any time.

We are here to support each of your institutions and the unique missions you serve.

In Partnership,
Selena M. Grace, PhD
President