CHEA Welcomes New President, Dr. Nasser Paydar

Nasser Paydar, Ph.D. has been named the new President of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the CHEA Board of Directors announced today. Dr. Paydar was selected by a unanimous vote of the CHEA Executive Board following an extensive presidential search. He will begin as CHEA’s President on August 1, 2025.

“The search was robust, and many leaders in higher education were part of the process,” said CHEA Board Chair Dottie L. King, Ph.D. “We recognize the remarkable leadership of Dr. Cynthia Jackson Hammond as well as the challenging atmosphere in higher education today. Dr. Paydar stood out among a gifted array of candidates. He brings with him an abundance of knowledge and experience relative to accreditation and quality assurance, in addition to a long history of leadership and interacting with higher education and governmental leaders.”

Dr. Paydar served as the Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education from 2022 to 2025. Prior to his federal appointment, he was the chancellor of Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), now Indiana University Indianapolis, and executive vice president of Indiana University (IU).

"I am honored to join CHEA at such a critical time for higher education and accreditation. Accreditation plays a crucial role in ensuring academic quality, institutional integrity, and public trust in higher education. I look forward to working with CHEA’s board, its members, and stakeholders to strengthen accreditation’s role in fostering innovation, student success, and accountability across the higher education landscape," said Dr. Paydar.

An IU faculty member for more than 36 years, Dr. Paydar held numerous administrative and executive leadership positions across the university. He joined IUPUI in 1985 as an assistant professor of mechanical engineering and later served as chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, associate dean for graduate programs, associate dean for academic programs, and executive associate dean. From 2004 to 2007, he was vice chancellor and dean of Indiana University–Purdue University Columbus.

Dr. Paydar was appointed chancellor of Indiana University East in 2007, serving in that role until he returned to IUPUI in 2012 as executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer. He became IUPUI’s fifth chancellor in 2015, leading the institution until his federal appointment. Under his leadership, IUPUI strengthened student success initiatives, expanded research activity, enhanced community engagement, and advanced efforts to improve affordability and access to higher education.

Dr. Paydar earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering from Syracuse University.

Throughout his career, he has been a strong advocate for academic excellence, institutional integrity, and student success, with a deep commitment to fostering innovation, access, and accountability in higher education.

Dr. Cynthia Jackson Hammond stated, “The CHEA Board is to be commended for the outstanding selection of Dr. Nasser Paydar as the next CHEA president. Dr. Paydar enters this leadership at a critical time in higher education. Nasser will--and has always--advanced the values of academic freedom, institutional autonomy, self-governance, and program quality assurance. Dr. Paydar is a consummate academician, administrator, scholar, and advocate for integrity and professionalism in accreditation.”

As CHEA enters its next phase of national and global recognition and advocacy for higher education, the public, families, and students should feel confident that quality assurance through accreditation will continue to be a priority. 

Welcome to CHEA, Dr. Paydar!