Small Colleges, Big Ideas: MSCHE President Heather Perfetti Talks Regulatory Affairs, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Accreditation on Small College America Podcast

Heather F. Perfetti, President of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), recently joined the Small College America podcast to discuss proposed federal accreditation regulations, institutional financial health challenges, legal transactions, and the future of accreditation.

As higher education anticipates the United States Department of Education’s proposed federal accreditation regulations to take effect July 1, 2027, Heather emphasized key areas of focus for institutions, including rules around data management, faculty evaluations, federal laws, and transfer of credit. For Boards of Trustees, Heather recommends particular attention to policy analysis.

“So much of what’s embedded in the new regulations from an institutional perspective is about having the ability to demonstrate policies and procedures and the execution of those at the institution level,” said Heather. “As you’re talking about a president or a trustee, their role at the board level is around policy, so boards should be asking about the policies that will need to shift. If existing policies are in place, how will those be modified?”

Heather encouraged institutions to connect with their accreditors as they navigate the evolving higher education landscape and face new challenges, including financial crises and legal transactions.

“We want our institutions to see what we do as relational, so if they are entering crisis, they should be coming to us so that we can give them advice,” she said. “No institution is going through a challenge that we have not seen, which means we can be helpful.”

Considering the current trends influencing higher education, Heather views the future of accreditation as transformative.

“I think the greatest by-product of where we are now is everyone hearing more about accreditation,” she said. “This is an opportunity for us to bust myths and remind everyone about the work of accreditation, about the work of the regulatory triad, but most importantly, about the relationships that we hold with institutions to be student centered as accreditors.”

The Small College America podcast, hosted by Kent Barnds and Dean Hoke, explores the role and value of small colleges in the higher education landscape.

Listen to the episode.

Want more on higher education’s evolving landscape, including legal and regulatory affairs and financial matters? With more than 45 sessions including The Changing Legal Landscape of Higher Education, Academic Program Financial Analysis: Lessons Learned, and Digital Transformation & Change Management, the MSCHE 2026 Annual Conference — Innovate Boldly. Transform Together. — is the place for higher education leaders to drive institutional excellence and advance student success. Register to join us December 9-11, 2026, in Philadelphia, PA.