Accreditation is experiencing one of the most significant moments of change in recent history.

Federal policy discussions, evolvingexpectations for accountability, and growing public scrutiny are reshaping how higher education demonstrates quality and value.

In the latest episode of Accreditation Insights, we spoke with Dr. Nasser H. Paydar, President of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), about the future of accreditation and CHEA's role in guiding the field during this important time.

In our conversation, we discussed:

• The evolving national conversation aboutaccreditation
• How CHEA is working to strengthen public trust in higher education
• The balance between innovation and quality assurance
• What institutional leaders should be paying attention to in the coming years

For anyone working in accreditation, higher education leadership, governance, or policy, this conversation providesvaluable insight into where the field is heading.

Accreditation does not pause when financial pressure intensifies.

In Part II of our conversation with Rebekah Mazone of FuturED on Accreditation Insights, we move beyond surface-level concerns and confront the structural questions shaping institutional viability:

Are presidents and CFOs genuinely aligned around strategy and risk?
Is enrollment forecasting meaningfully integrated with long-term financial planning?
Are merger conversations proactive and disciplined or driven by urgency?

Rebekah offers a grounded, forward-looking perspective on what 2026 will require from governing boards and executive teams.

The clarity and foresight shared in this discussion have the potential to prevent costly missteps and long-term institutional strain.

Leaders intent on navigating volatility with discipline should consider this essential listening! Tune in!

The demographic cliff is no longer theoretical; it is operational.

In Part I of Accreditation Insights, Rebekah Mazone of FuturED examines what presidents, boards, and CFOs must understand now about:

• Enrollment volatility• Heightened price sensitivity — even among higher-income families• Multi-year forecasting models• Automation in budgeting and reporting• Early financial warning signals

The level of clarity and foresight shared in this discussion has the potential to prevent costly missteps and long-term institutional strain.

If you serve in institutional leadership, this is practical insight you can apply immediately!