Accreditation is becoming one of the clearest pressure points for colleges and universities. Federal expectations are shifting, public skepticism is rising, and accreditors are preparing for changes that will affect how institutions demonstrate quality, mission alignment, and student success. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Nasser H. Paydar, President and CEO of CHEA, about how these forces are converging—and what presidents and boards need to do now to stay ahead of the next wave of accreditation demands.

This conversation is especially relevant for presidents, trustees, and senior leaders who rely on accreditation as both a quality framework and a strategic tool.

Topics Covered:

• How accelerating federal expectations and negotiated rulemaking will affect accreditors and institutions
• Why transparency and accessible program information have become central to public trust
• How demographic pressures, financial strain, and uneven completion rates intersect with accreditation expectations
• Why boards and presidents must link student success metrics directly to strategy and resource decisions
• How CHEA is working with regional and programmatic accreditors to align expectations and strengthen peer review
• The growing importance of global quality assurance partnerships, including CHEA's agreement with ANQAHE
• How AI, technology adoption, and workforce alignment are influencing accreditation priorities

Real-World Issues Discussed:

• Institutions where advising, transfer, and unclear program costs undermine student outcomes
• Campuses are struggling to adapt learning and assessment practices to AI-driven environments
• Boards that cannot provide effective oversight without clear student success indicators
• The risk institutions face when transparency gaps erode public confidence

Three Key Takeaways for Leadership:

• Leaders must treat student success as the organizing principle for institutional strategy and accreditation readiness.
• Institutions that respond quickly to evidence, policy trends, and accreditation expectations will protect autonomy and maintain stability.
• Boards and presidents must align governance, mission, and transparency to rebuild trust and guide institutions through uncertainty.

Read the transcript or the extended show summary: https://changinghighered.com/student-success-through-higher-education-accreditation-chea/

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