June 27, 2:00–3:00 PM ET

The recent sweeping Executive Order issued in April 2025 is poised to transform the higher education accreditation system in the United States. This new federal directive challenges longstanding norms—and introduces significant implications for institutional governance, mission integrity, and continued eligibility for federal funding. This webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of the Executive Order, outline the anticipated regulatory shifts, and offer practical guidance to help governing boards steer their institutions through uncertainty with deeper insights.

Attendees will gain an understanding of the new requirements for student outcome accountability, the potential derecognition of accreditors enforcing DEI mandates, and the increased scrutiny institutions may face from the Department of Education. The session will help boards explore how to:

Monitor and mitigate accreditation risk, including threats to Title IV eligibility
Reaffirm institutional values amid changing regulatory expectations
Navigate opportunities for innovation through new accreditor models
Equip trustees to lead in a dynamic and high-stakes accreditation environment

Speakers:

John Cavanaugh, PhD, treasurer, National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA); former president and CEO, Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area; former chancellor, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
Nasser Paydar, PhD, president, Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA); former assistant secretary, U.S. Department of Education
Heather Perfetti, JD, EdD, president, Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)