CHEA Convenes Hill Day for Accreditors, Engages Congressional Staff on Policy Landscape
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) convened accrediting leaders on Capitol Hill this week for a day of meetings with congressional staff, creating space for direct engagement on the evolving federal policy landscape affecting higher education accreditation.
The Hill Day builds on conversations initiated at CHEA’s All Accreditor Forum in November 2025, extending those discussions into direct engagement with policymakers at a time of significant federal activity related to accreditation.
After a briefing by CHEA’s Jan Friis, Senior Vice President for Government Affairs, and Nasser H. Paydar, President, at CHEA headquarters, participants met with both Democratic and Republican staff from the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, reflecting a bipartisan interest in accreditation and its role in supporting academic quality and student success.
Throughout the day, accreditors shared perspectives on recent legislative and regulatory developments, including proposals from the U.S. Department of Education that could reshape how institutions are reviewed and how accreditors are recognized. Conversations touched on the broader policy environment, including ongoing negotiated rulemaking and new federal proposals that introduce additional expectations for both institutions and accrediting organizations.
The meetings provided an opportunity for accreditors to engage directly with staff about their role in the higher education ecosystem and to discuss how proposed changes may affect institutional operations, student outcomes, and the balance of responsibilities across federal and state governments.
The discussions emphasized the importance of maintaining a clear focus on academic quality and peer review, while also engaging constructively with policymakers on areas of shared interest.
The day concluded with a shared commitment to continued dialogue, as policymakers consider proposals that could shape the future of accreditation.