Accreditation in an Era of Uncertainty
In our latest episode of EdUp Accreditation Insights, Laurie Shanderson and I stepped back from guest interviews to take on a pressing question ourselves: what happens to accreditation—and the institutions, students, and communities it supports, when politics reshapes the very foundation of U.S. higher education?
We began by exploring the prospect of life without a Department of Education. While such a shift may sound theoretical, the ripple effects would be profound, from the recognition of accreditors to the oversight of federal aid. Accreditation, long the connective tissue between institutional quality and public trust, could find itself in uncharted territory.
Our conversation also highlighted who is most vulnerable when accreditation policy shifts: small colleges, students dependent on federal aid, and programs whose viability rests on specialized accreditation. These groups often lack the buffers that larger, better-resourced institutions can rely on. In a moment of volatility, their futures may be the first to feel the strain.
Finally, we considered what it means to navigate the unknown. Policy landscapes are changing rapidly, and leaders can’t simply wait to see what happens next. Institutions need strategies to build resilience, align with mission-driven accreditors, and communicate clearly with stakeholders about both risks and commitments to quality.
This was a timely conversation for presidents, trustees, and academic leaders facing a wave of uncertainty. Accreditation has always been more than a compliance exercise, it is a framework for assuring students and the public that education matters. In an era of political shifts, that role becomes even more critical.