EdUp Accreditation Insights

10. From Compliance to Impact: What SACSCOC's New Accreditation Framework Signals for Higher Education

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 emphasis on student outcomes, workforce alignment, institutional sustainability, and simplified compliance expectations, the proposal appears to signal a broader movement from documenting activity to demonstrating impact. In this episode, Dr. Laurie Shanderson and Dr. Greg Pillar examine the proposedstandards, explore what they reveal about the future direction ofaccreditation, and discuss the implications for institutional leaders,accreditors, policymakers, and students.

9. Accreditation, Alliances, and Institutional Reinvention: A Conversation with Dr. Chet Haskell

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 experiences at institutions, including AntiochUniversity and Harvard University, Dr. Haskell discusses institutionalalliances, accreditation pressures, leadership during disruption, and therealities of organizational reinvention. This conversation examines what sustainable transformation actuallyrequires and why collaboration, governance, and clarity of mission maydetermine which institutions thrive in the years ahead.

8. Accrediting the Future: Workforce Learning, Continuing Education, and the New Credential Economy

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 Accreditation Council (CEUAC), for a timely discussion on the evolution of accreditation in the continuing education space. We discuss: The rise of the “third sector” of education Accreditation beyond traditional higher education Why continuing education may become central to institutional survival This conversation challenges long-held assumptions about higher education, workforce preparation, and the future of accreditation itself.

7. When AI Fails Silently: What Healthcare Leaders and Accreditors Must Confront

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 behind deployment • The risks to patient safety and institutional accountability • What accreditors and boards should be asking right now • How health systems can begin to operationalize oversight This is not just a technology conversation. It is a governance, quality, and trust issue. If you are leading, regulating, or evaluating organizations where AI is already in use, this is a discussion you cannot afford to miss. #AccreditationInsights #EdUpExperience #HealthcareLeadership #AIinHealthcare #QualityAssurance #Accreditation #Governance #PatientSafety #HigherEdLeadership #SmartSigma

6. The Future of Accreditation in Healthcare Management Education: Standards, Strategy, and Staying True to Mission with Maureen Jones

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 also shares a compelling perspective she consistentlyoffers programs: “you be you” reinforcing that accreditation should not drive uniformity but rather support mission-driven differentiation and institutional identity. For leaders navigating accreditation, governance, and program strategy, thisconversation provides both clarity and direction on how to align with standardswhile remaining authentic to your institution’s purpose.