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Shanna Toth
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stoth@nwccu.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NWCCU Partners with CHEA to launch an Accreditor Leadership Roundtable to Strengthen Dialogue and Leadership Across Accreditation
May 5, 2026 — The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), led by Selena M. Grace, in collaboration with Nasser H. Paydar, President of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), today announced the establishment of the Accreditor Leadership Roundtable, a new initiative designed to strengthen strategic engagement and leadership among accrediting organizations.
The Roundtable will bring together a small group of accreditor leaders in an ongoing forum focused on addressing common challenges, advancing national dialogue on accreditation, and supporting institutional quality and student success. In developing the initiative with Dr. Grace, Paydar also engaged accreditor presidents Maria Toyoda of the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), and Heather Perfetti of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), helping to shape the effort in response to a growing need for more consistent communication and engagement at a time of significant policy change and increased public attention to higher education.
“This initiative builds on CHEA’s longstanding role as a convener of the accreditation community,” said Paydar. “By creating a structured and ongoing forum for accreditor leadership, we are strengthening the ability of accreditor leaders to engage thoughtfully on emerging challenges, support institutional quality, and contribute to informed national discussions.”
The Roundtable was initially envisioned in collaboration with Dr. Grace and further developed with accreditor leaders across the community.
“I am energized by this initiative and the spirit of engagement it represents,” said Grace. “Accreditors are navigating a rapidly evolving environment, and there is real value in having a space for sustained, thoughtful discussion among diverse accreditation leaders. This Roundtable creates an opportunity to share perspectives, identify common challenges, and exchange views on potential approaches, while strengthening public understanding of how accreditation supports quality and continuous improvement—and ultimately, student success. Dialogue at this level is exactly what the moment calls for.”
Designed as an ongoing forum for discussion, the Roundtable will meet monthly to focus on priority issues, with the goal of sharing insights, improving communication, and supportinginformed perspectives across accrediting organizations. The Roundtable is a non-decision-making forum intended solely for discussion, information exchange, and thought leadership.
The initiative is not a governance body, but rather a leadership forum intended to enhance communication, strengthen public understanding of accreditation, and support the continued evolution of quality assurance in higher education.
Inaugural Roundtable participants are:
- Co-Chair: Nasser H. Paydar, President, Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
- Co-Chair: Selena M. Grace, President, Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Lisa Beatty, Executive Director, Commission on Accreditation, Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)
- Mark P. Becker, Board Chair, Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE)
- Timothy Eaton, President and CEO, Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS)
- Res Helfer, Executive Director, Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET)
- Craig Little, President, Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE)
- Leah Matthews, Executive Director, Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
- Michael K. J. Milligan, CEO, Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
- Kirk Nooks, President and CEO, Council on Occupational Education (COE)
- Heather Perfetti, President, Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- India Tips, Executive Director, Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
- Maria Toyoda, President and CEO, WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
To learn more about the Roundtable, click here.
About the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) is authorized by the United States Department of Education as an institutional accreditor of public and private higher education institutions throughout the United States. Founded in 1917, NWCCU currently accredits 159 diverse institutions, including public universities, private colleges, tribal colleges, and specialized institutions. The Commission is also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). For more information, visit www.nwccu.org.
