Episodes

Public trust in higher education is declining, and the implications for colleges, universities, accreditors, and policymakers are profound. In this episode of Accreditation Insights, we sat down with Jeremy C. Young to discuss The Trust Agenda: A Framework for Advancing Public Trust in Higher Education, a new report from the American Association of Colleges and Universities that explores why confidence in higher education has eroded and what institutional leaders can do to rebuild it. We d...

SACSCOC has released a draft revision of its Principles of Accreditation, and the proposal may represent one of the most significant shifts in accreditation philosophy in decades. The changes move beyond updating language and instead raise fundamental questionsabout what accreditation should measure, how institutions demonstrate quality, and what role accreditors should play in a rapidly changing higher education landscape. From the elimination of the Quality Enhancement Plan to increased empha...

Higher education is navigating one of the most consequential periods in its modern history. Institutions are confronting financial pressure, enrollment uncertainty, cultural shifts, governance challenges, and growing scrutiny around value and accountability. In this episode of Accreditation Insights,we sat down with Chester Haskell to explore how colleges and universities can rethink strategy, partnerships, and mission alignment in a rapidly changingenvironment. Drawing on leadership experienc...

What happens when learning no longer fits neatly inside the traditional degree model? The future of education is increasingly being shaped by workforce credentials, continuing education, employer-aligned training, and lifelong learning pathways. As that landscape expands, one question becomes critical: Who determines quality, credibility, and trust? On this episode of Accreditation Insights, our crew sat down with Casandra Blassingame, President & CEO of the Continuing Education Unit Accredita...

Artificial intelligence is already embedded in healthcare systems across the country. But here is the uncomfortable reality: most organizations lack the infrastructure to detect when that AI is failing. In this episode of Accreditation Insights, we sit down with Richard G. Greenhill, Principal and Founder of SmartSigma AI, to examine what he calls Silent Performance Failure™​, a critical and often invisible risk in AI-enabled healthcare environments. We explore: • Why AI governance is lagging ...

Accreditation is not static; it evolves alongside the industries it serves.In this episode of Accreditation Insights, my co-hosts and I sit down with Maureen Jones, the new President and CEO of the Commission on Accreditation ofHealthcare Management Education, for a timely discussion on the future ofhealthcare management education. We explore CAHME’s new standards, the strategic thinking behind theirevolution, and the growing emphasis on outcomes, workforce alignment, andinnovation. Dr. Jones a...

Accreditation is experiencing one of the most significant moments of change in recent history. Federal policy discussions, evolvingexpectations for accountability, and growing public scrutiny are reshaping how higher education demonstrates quality and value. In the latest episode of Accreditation Insights, we spoke with Dr. Nasser H. Paydar, President of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), about the future of accreditation and CHEA's role in guiding the field during this impo...

Accreditation does not pause when financial pressure intensifies. In Part II of our conversation with Rebekah Mazone of FuturED on Accreditation Insights, we move beyond surface-level concerns and confront the structural questions shaping institutional viability: Are presidents and CFOs genuinely aligned around strategy and risk? Is enrollment forecasting meaningfully integrated with long-term financial planning? Are merger conversations proactive and disciplined or driven by urgency? Rebekah...

The demographic cliff is no longer theoretical; it is operational. In Part I of Accreditation Insights, Rebekah Mazone of FuturED examines what presidents, boards, and CFOs must understand now about: • Enrollment volatility• Heightened price sensitivity — even among higher-income families• Multi-year forecasting models• Automation in budgeting and reporting• Early financial warning signals The level of clarity and foresight shared in this discussion has the potential to prevent costly misstep...

A recent Washington Post opinion piece declared, “College accreditation is a civil rights issue.” At the same time, the U.S. Department of Education has launched rulemaking that could reshape how accreditors are recognized, and recognition determines access to more than $100 billion in federal student aid annually. In this episode of Accreditation Insights, we confront the realquestions: Is accreditation becoming political? What happens if recognition standards shift? And are institutions p...

Accreditation Insights opens its 2026 season with a timely and substantive conversation on institutional viability and accountability in higher education. This episode is sponsored by Futured Finance, whose work focuses on improving financial transparency and sustainability across the higher education sector. In this episode, we are joined by Gary Stocker, Founder of College Viability, a national consultancy dedicated to helpingcolleges and universities strengthen financial sustainability, enro...

As we wrap up 2025, Laurie and Leamor sit down for a year-end conversation on Accreditation Insights to reflect on what really stood out in higher education and accreditation this year. We talk about: • Public value and accountability• Accreditation’s growing role in policy and politics• Financial sustainability and institutional viability• Changing credentials and learning models• Leadership and governance expectations• And what we’re watching as we head into 2026 We also share a bit about wh...

On this episode of Accreditation Insights, we are honored to welcome Dr. Gina Scarboro, Executive Director of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, better known as CAAHEP. Dr. Scarboro brings a rare blend of academic leadership, clinical practice, and national service to the conversation. From her tenure as a dean and educator to her continuing role as a practicing Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant, her journey reflects a steadfast commitment to excellence in al...

Our guest for this episode is Dr. Matthew Nehmer, President of The Colleges of Law, a mission-driven institution that has carved out a unique space in the legal education landscape through innovation, accessibility, and a strong commitment to social justice. With a career that spans strategic planning, accreditation, academic leadership, and nonprofit management, Dr. Nehmer brings a comprehensive view of how institutions can embrace change while remaining grounded in standards of excellence. Tu...

Are we making assessment too complex—and at what cost to academicstandards? On this episode of Accreditation Insights, I sit down with Dr. David A. Eubanks, Assistant VP for Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness at Furman University and a former member of NACIQI. We explore: Why grades may be the most overlooked yet robust accreditation evidence The rising cost and complexity of assessment practices The ethical tension between tuition revenue and academic rigor Dr. Eubanks brings shar...

Accreditation Insights continues with Part 2 of our series featuring Dr. Robert Manzer, President of the American Academy for Liberal Education. In this follow-up conversation, Dr. Manzer lays out solutions fordepoliticizing accreditation, including: Strengthening faculty governance to uphold rigorStandards and best practices for accreditors Immediate steps for presidents, trustees, and policymakers to realign accreditation with academic quality This episode is sponsored by CAHIIM, host of the...

Accreditation Insights kicks off a two-part series with Dr. Robert Manzer, President of the American Academy forLiberal Education, as he explores his AEI report, “Depoliticizing the University: Re-Prioritizing Academic Excellence in Accreditation and Faculty Governance.” Link to article: (princetoniansforfreespeech.org) In Part 1, we unpack:The roots of politicization in accreditationHow policy shifts have shaped today’s landscapeThe risks of relying too heavily on reductionist metrics like “le...

In this episode, we are joined by Robert Shireman, Senior Fellow at The Century Foundation. Mr. Shireman is widelyrecognized for his influential work in higher education policy, particularly in the areas of accountability, student protection, and the role of accreditation in regulating institutional quality. A former U.S. Deputy Undersecretary of Education under President Obama, he helped shape critical reforms focused onconsumer protection, financial responsibility, and oversight in postseconda...

The CAHIIM 2025 Summit on Higher Education is right around thecorner — September 16–18! This virtual event will feature 70+ presentations onAI, experiential learning, curriculum design, and the future of accreditation! On this latest episode of Accreditation Insights, we highlight why this summit is a must-attend for higher education and health informatics leaders! Learn more about the summit: CAHIIM 2025 Summit #CAHIIM2025 #AccreditationInsights #EDUP #HigherEd #HealthInformatics

In this episode, we were joined by Todd Nelson, Director of Partner Relationshipsand Chief Partnership Executive at the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA). In our discussion, we explored how strategic partnershipsare leveraged to enhance quality assurance and meet accreditation standards in healthcare finance.

In this special live-streamed episode of Accreditation Insights, Dr.Laurie Shanderson and Dr. Greg Pillar broadcast directly from the inaugural HigherEd PodCon 2025 in Chicago, IL! As the first-ever gathering of podcast hosts, producers, and enthusiastsin the higher education space, PodCon 2025 marks a milestone in how ideas areshared, voices are elevated, and change is sparked through digitalstorytelling. Dr. Shanderson and Dr. Pillar discuss the power of podcastingto shape policy and percepti...

In this episode of Accreditation Insights, we are honored to welcome Mr. Lee Hammond, Chief Executive Officer of the Accreditation Service for International Schools, Colleges, and Universities (ASIC). Under his leadership, ASIC has strengthened its global presence, offering accreditation services that emphasize quality enhancement,institutional effectiveness, and international collaboration. Mr. Hammond brings a wealth of experience in overseeing quality assurance processes across diverse educat...

In this episode of Accreditation Insights, I’m stepping into the host chair solo for a special commentary on a significant development: Six state university systems—led by Florida—are launching a newaccreditor. This effort, announced by Governor Ron DeSantis, is poised to challenge the traditional accreditation landscape and raises serious questions aboutoversight, accountability, and political influence in higher education. As always, I welcome diverse perspectives on what this means forinst...

Welcome to a special first anniversary episode of Accreditation Insights! In this episode, I was thrilled to be joined by my co-hosts Dr. Leamor Kahanov, Dr. Greg Pillar, and Dr. Bryan Alexander as we marked this milestone moment. Our guest was Cecelia Livengood, Chief Accreditation Officer of theNational Association for Academic Excellence (NAAE). In this timely andthought-provoking episode, Cecelia shared how NAAE is reimagining accreditation to empower institutions with greater choice and al...