Community College Accreditor Adopts ROI Metric

HEADLINES

Community College Accreditor Adopts ROI Metric (Inside Higher Ed, August 12, 2025) The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges is launching new tools to give members of the public more insights into student outcomes at the institutions under its purview. Those tools include dashboards with different student achievement data points as well as a new metric to gauge return on investment. The accreditor wrote in a white paper on different value metrics that the earnings premium is an “approachable and understandable way for students and their families to discuss the value education adds to earnings potential. It also allows for institutions, reviewers, and policy makers to contemplate a measurable target and drive improvement.”

The Council for Higher Education Accreditation: A Pillar of Quality in American Higher Education (QAHE.org, August 6, 2025) The Council for Higher Education Accreditation plays a critical role in shaping the quality of higher education in the U.S. Through its advocacy, recognition of accrediting organizations, and commitment to educational excellence, CHEA serves as a cornerstone for institutions striving to meet rigorous standards. As it moves forward, CHEA's efforts will be pivotal in addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, ensuring that accreditation remains a vital aspect of quality in higher education.

Harvard’s Accrediting Agency Proposes Removing DEI Standards, in Line with Trump Order (The Harvard Crimson, August 8, 2025) The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) had previously required schools to follow any commitments to DEI that they set for themselves. It also required schools to adhere to nondiscriminatory employment and academic policies and to cultivate “an inclusive atmosphere within the institutional community that respects and supports people of diverse characteristics and backgrounds.” In a draft proposal for new standards, NECHE removed any references to DEI and replaced them with more generic language about ensuring students “feel welcomed, supported, included in the community.”

CHEA/CIQG 2026 Annual Conference Call for Proposals CHEA’s “Call for Proposals” provides opportunities for large and small group engagement from a variety of stakeholders to discuss relevant and current topics that address quality assurance from national and global perspectives. CHEA/CIQG encourages open dialogue regarding critical issues and welcomes diversity of experiences, exchanges, and interactions between attendees. The January 26–29, 2026 conference will feature sessions addressing various topics related to accreditation and quality assurance. We are seeking proposals for plenary and concurrent sessions.