CHEA Launches Accreditor Leadership Roundtable (Including Dr. Eaton from TRACS) to Strengthen Coordination and Leadership Across Accreditation,

The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), led by President Nasser H. Paydar, in collaboration with Dr. Selena M. Grace, President of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, (NWCCU), 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 supporting informed 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 Council for Higher Education AccreditationThe Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) is the national advocate and institutional voice for academic quality through accreditation. Representing degree-granting colleges and universities, it is the only national organization focused exclusively on higher education accreditation and quality assurance. CHEA plays a central role in recognizing accrediting organizations and strengthening public trust in higher education. For more information, visit www.chea.org.