2026 INTERNATIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION ACCREDITATION CONVENING WITH MSCHE AND CHEA

Dr. Heather F. Perfetti, President of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), is a national thought leader who has positioned the Commission at the forefront of accreditation innovation, advancing a bold vision for a more modern, student-centered system of quality assurance.    

She serves on the Board of Directors of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the Kurdistan Accrediting Association for Education (KAAE), and her work extends to the Workforce Trust, established by the National Accreditation Commission (NAC) with three institutional accreditors, including the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. She previously served as Chair (2024-2026) and Vice-Chair (2022-2024) of the Council of Recognized Accrediting Commissions (C-RAC) and served on the Learning Evaluation and Recognition for the Next Generation (LEARN) Commission.    

Heather’s leadership has earned recognition. City & State New York named Heather to its Higher Education Trailblazers list in 2025 and 2026, And to its Higher Education Power 100 list in 2021. She was also recognized on City & State Pennsylvania’s Higher Education Power 100 list in 2022.   

Dr. Nasser H. Paydar is President of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the leading national voice for academic quality, institutional accountability, and the independence of accreditation in the United States. He assumed the presidency in August 2025 following a distinguished career spanning federal service, university leadership, teaching, research, and public engagement.  

From 2022 to 2025, Dr. Paydar served as Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education, where he helped shape national policy on college access, affordability, student success, institutional accountability, and educational innovation. 

Before entering federal service, he served as Chancellor of Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, now Indiana University Indianapolis, and as Executive Vice President of Indiana University. During more than 36 years at Indiana University, he held numerous faculty and executive leadership positions, including Chancellor of Indiana University East, Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer at IUPUI, dean, department chair, and professor of mechanical engineering. 

As Chancellor of IUPUI, Dr. Paydar led efforts to strengthen student success, expand research, deepen community partnerships, and improve access and affordability for students.  

Throughout his career, Dr. Paydar has been a passionate advocate for educational quality, institutional integrity, innovation, and opportunity. His leadership reflects a deeply held belief that higher education must earn and sustain public trust by demonstrating its value to students and society.

Dr. Judi Sciple joined the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in August 2023 and was named Senior Vice President for Accreditation Relations and Services in August 2024. She provides oversight for the Accreditation Relations and Services departments. As Senior Vice President, Judi serves as a member of the MSCHE President’s Executive Leadership Team and Cabinet. Prior to joining the Commission, Judi served at Delaware Technical Community College for 31 years, most recently as Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and Development where she provided college-wide leadership in the areas of accreditation, strategic planning, assessment, development, grant management, and alumni relations. Throughout her tenure, she also held leadership positions in college relations, marketing, and public relations and chaired numerous collegewide committees to enhance operations, streamline processes, and engage constituents.

Dr. Ryan Hartnett joined the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in March 2024 and became Vice President for Membership in July 2025. In this role, Ryan provides leadership and vision for institutions interested in accreditation with the Commission with a focus on providing advice and support for new institutions as well as those looking to change accreditors. Ryan previously served the Commission as Vice President for Institutional Field Relations. Prior to joining MSCHE, Ryan served as Provost at Villa Maria College (NY), leading as both Chief Academic Officer (CAO) and Student Affairs Officer (SAO). In this role, he also served as the Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO), leading his institution through the self-study process and other accreditation activities. Before serving at Villa Maria College, Ryan served as Dean of Arts, Sciences and Professional Studies at Trocaire College (NY). Ryan has experience with the Commission as a peer evaluator and team chair for self-study and follow-up visits.

Day 1: October 28, 2026 – 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. CET (UTC+1) 

Forge Your Path to Accreditation

Are you ready to explore what accreditation with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) could mean for your institution? This engaging, half-day program is designed for institutions considering accreditation with a United States-recognized accreditor and interested in understanding the opportunities and expectations. Join Judith Sciple, MSCHE Senior Vice President for Accreditation Relations and Services, and Ryan Hartnett, MSCHE Vice President for Membership, for a look at the accreditation process. Come with questions and leave with clarity and a sense of the opportunities that await on the path to accreditation. Refreshments will be provided.  

Day 2: October 29, 2026 – 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CET (UTC+1) 

Connect. Cultivate. Change. The Future of Global Higher Education 

Engage in a global conversation about the future of quality assurance and higher education. Connect with us and other higher education leaders for an impressive program featuring remarks from Heather F. Perfetti, President, MSCHE, and Nasser Paydar, President, CHEA. They will be joined by Judith Sciple, MSCHE Senior Vice President for Accreditation Relations and Services, and Ryan Hartnett, MSCHE Vice President for Membership. Explore how accreditation is cultivating opportunities across borders, gain a fresh perspective on standards for quality assurance, and hear directly from institutions navigating accreditation in an increasingly global higher education environment. Interactive discussions with accreditation leaders and peer institutions will address emerging trends and opportunities and explore change that is shaping higher education worldwide. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.  

Attendees can make reservations directly with the event hotel or other hotels in the area. We encourage you to make your reservation early, as availability may be limited. 

Event Hotel 

• Frankfurt Marriott (2 Hamburger Allee, Frankfurt am Main, 60486) 

Area Hotels 

• Meliá Frankfurt City (Senckenberganlage 13, 60325)
• Aparthotel Adagio Frankfurt City (Hamburger Allee 4, Frankfurt am Main, 60486)
• Maritim Hotel Frankfurt (Theodor-Heuss-Allee 3, Frankfurt am Main, 60486)
• Villa Hotel Frankfurt by MZ HOTELCOLLECTION (Emil-Sulzbach-Straße 14-16, 60486 Frankfurt am Main-Innenstadt II)
• Hotel NH Frankfurt Messe (Friedrich-Ebert-Anlage 38, 60325 Frankfurt am Main-Innenstadt II)

• Air: Frankfurt is served by Frankfurt Airport (FRA), Germany’s busiest international airport with extensive flight options through Lufthansa and its partner carriers. Located about six miles southwest of the city center, the airport offers broad worldwide service through two primary terminals.  

• Rail: Frankfurt is a major European rail hub served by two primary long-distance and regional stations: Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof (the central station in downtown) and Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof (the long-distance station at Terminal 1 of Frankfurt Airport). 

• Automobile: A public underground parking garage operated by Q-Park, with 610 parking spaces, is located directly next to the hotel. Hotel guests have exclusive access to a discount code, which is included in your event registration communications. Hotel billing is possible starting from 50 parking tickets per day. Pricing is at the discretion of the operator, Q-Park Operations Germany GmbH & Co. KG. The hotel is not responsible for parking fees or any misunderstandings. Please note the maximum vehicle height of 1.85 meters. 

• Local Transportation: The Frankfurt Marriott is located 13 km from the Frankfurt Airport and accessible via the following: 

• • Tram line 16/17 to the Frankfurt Main Train Station 

• • Bus to the Ludwig-Erhard-Anlage stop 

• • Taxi and Ride Share (Uber, Bolt, Free Now, etc.)