Advocacy Alert: MSCHE Submits Comments on Proposed Revisions to CHEA Standards and Procedures for Recognition
On September 14, 2026, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) provided comment on proposed revisions to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) Standards and Procedures for Recognition (2025).
Our Commission is committed to strengthening innovative, impactful accreditation through dedicated partnerships and worldwide engagement and values its relationship with CHEA. We have a long history of working with CHEA and providing comments both on their standards and procedures as well as contributing to their work.
“With changes in federal policy, it is noteworthy that the proposed CHEA revisions to requirements are more mindful of the recognition process for accreditors already recognized through the United States Department of Education,” said Heather F. Perfetti, Commission President. “I am pleased to share that our Commission has reapplied for CHEA recognition which is pending review by the CHEA board with a decision anticipated this month, so the review of their standards and process is certainly timely for us.
CHEA is a non-profit higher education organization that focuses on advancing quality in higher education through accreditation, and several of the Commission’s institutions are also members of CHEA.
Heather serves on the Council’s Board of Directors and as a member of the CHEA Accreditor Leadership Roundtable group, and is leading her first International Higher Education Accreditation Convening with Nasser Paydar, President of CHEA. The inaugural convening, October 28–29, 2026, in Frankfurt, Germany, is designed to bring together leading voices to explore what comes next for higher education globally and how accreditation will continue to enhance quality and strengthen higher education around the world.
Categories: Advocacy