WASC Senior College and University Commission

WSCUC seeks a Vice President who shares our passion for student success, demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement in higher education effectiveness, and brings the ability to apply quality, rigor, and consistency to the work of protecting students, fostering innovation, informing public policy, and supporting institutional learning. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4dBKmFJ

This week, the U.S. Department of Education is holding the final session of its Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization (AIM) negotiated rulemaking. The AIM committee is developing proposed updates to federal regulations on accreditation, covering areas such as accreditor recognition and student achievement. To help institutions stay informed, we are hosting an informal Zoom conversation for ALOs with WSCUC President Dr. Maria Toyoda, Vice President Dr. Katie McAllister, and Dr. Emmanual A. Guillory, Senior Director of Government Relations at the American Council on Education (ACE). The session will recap the recent negotiations, explore key policy developments affecting higher education, and open the floor for discussion about what these proposals mean for institutions and accreditors going forward. Register here: https://bit.ly/4v6mIsp

Higher education institutions are confronting significant financial pressures and difficult strategic choices. A new article from The Chronicle of Higher Education features perspectives from leaders across the sector, including WSCUC Commission Vice Chair Mary B. Marcy on navigating today’s budget challenges with mission and long-term institutional health in mind. Dr. Marcy offers an important reminder for institutions facing financial strain: "Avoid across-the-board cuts — they are never strategic and still fail to quell dissatisfaction. Cuts that lead to increased focus on mission are no more popular, but they have the benefit of giving the institution a chance to survive.” Read the full Chronicle piece here: https://lnkd.in/gUHWZ9iK

Beginning July 1, 2026, Workforce Pell Grants will extend Pell funding to eligible short-term programs. To support institutions in accessing this funding, WSCUC has partnered with The National Accreditation Commission to pilot AI-enabled program reviews for workforce training. Join WSCUC President Maria Toyoda, NAC, and leaders of other institutional accreditors this Friday, May 8 at 8 a.m. PT to learn how this first-of-its-kind partnership uses NAC’s AIHub platform to help institutions move quickly on workforce programs while maintaining rigorous quality standards. Register here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g_rm-H3D

WSCUC is proud to join the new Accreditor Leadership Roundtable as a founding member. Convened by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the Roundtable brings together accreditor leaders in an ongoing forum to advance national dialogue on accreditation and support institutional quality and student success at a moment when higher education is navigating significant policy change and heightened public attention. WSCUC’s participation ensures that the perspectives of our member institutions are represented in these discussions and in broader national conversations. Learn more about the Roundtable → https://lnkd.in/gsYvP97D

Short-term workforce programs are gaining new momentum, with Workforce Pell expanding access starting July 1, 2026. On the latest episode of the The EdUp Experience, WSCUC President Maria Toyoda discusses WSCUC's partnership with The National Accreditation Commission (NAC) on a pilot of AI-enabled review to help institutions move more efficiently from proposal to approval without lowering the bar on quality. 🎙️ Listen to the episode here: https://lnkd.in/eTfHmEgW 📆 And sign up to join WSCUC and NAC for a live webinar to learn more about the partnership. https://bit.ly/3QE5Gmj

At a time when higher education is under increasing scrutiny, clarity of purpose matters more than ever. In her latest op-ed, WSCUC President and CEO Maria Toyoda explores why clear mission statements are essential for institutional success, and how a well-defined mission serves as an anchor for both accountability and quality. https://lnkd.in/gbYPaPD6

The policy landscape for higher education is evolving, with new emphasis on outcomes and return on investment. Proposed regulations would create a new earnings accountability test for all postsecondary programs, with a target effective date of July 1, 2026. WSCUC President & CEO Maria Toyoda recently joined Marketplace by APM to discuss what the earnings-based accountability framework means for students, institutions, and the broader value of a college education. Listen to the discussion here. 👇 https://lnkd.in/gd4_2f_j

Last week’s ARC2026 conference was a powerful few days of thoughtful discussions, shared learning, and meaningful connection with together leaders and practitioners across higher education. Here are a few more highlights from our time together. We’re grateful to everyone who joined us in San Francisco and helped make it such a memorable and energizing experience.

That's a wrap on ARC2026! Thank you to everyone who joined us in San Francisco for thoughtful sessions, honest conversations, and meaningful connections. You made the conference everything we hoped it would be. See you at ARC2027!