Eddie L. Koen is a nationally known nonprofit executive with expertise in K-12 and higher education policy.  He joined HLC’s Board of Trustees as a public member in October.

Tell us about yourself. 

I am a Chicagoan with roots in Alabama. I have a wife whom I met in college and three beautiful children. I’m currently the president of the Institute for Educational Leadership, a national nonprofit working with 460 school districts and 58,000 leaders across all 50 states. I’ve been an executive in the nonprofit sector for most of my career, working in both K-12 and Higher Ed policy. I’ve served as the chief of staff for a major urban district and as a policy advisor implementing Lumina Foundation’s Strategy Labs at the state level.  On a personal note, I’m an avid chess player who coaches chess at Whittier Elementary School in Washington, D.C. and also serve on the boards for two chess organizations in the D.C. area. I love all things Alabama football, have a law degree from Samson University, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Alabama, and belong to the university’s Black Alumni Association, where I became a 60 for 60 years honoree in 2023.  

What has higher education meant to you?  

Higher education is the fundamental engine for societal progress, parity, and innovation. It’s far more than a pathway to a job; it is a liberatory and transformative experience that prepares our society for the greatest usefulness of our collective talents. It serves as the vital space where students explore, find their purpose, and cultivate the critical thinking and civic responsibility necessary to sustain a robust democracy. For me, it represents the promise of upward mobility and the continuous cultivation of human potential. 

What do you most look forward to as an HLC Board of Trustees Member?  

I look forward to actively participating in the strategic evolution of HLC to ensure our value proposition to member institutions is not just relevant, but indispensable. This means strengthening our commitment to providing tailored support that addresses the challenges of institutional sustainability, educational innovation, and student success in a rapidly changing landscape. I want to contribute to an accreditation process that is seen as an asset—a vehicle for continuous improvement—for our diverse and incredible member institutions. 

What inspires your commitment to volunteer service?  

My commitment to service is rooted in a profound belief in civic stewardship. I currently am on the boards for the Community Investment Leadership, Girls Leadership and the Second Chance Center. I previously have been on boards serving a variety of communities across the nation such as the Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Economic Success Trust, the Cincinnati Country Day School, Mount St. Joseph University, the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati, the Colorado Non-Profit Development Center and College Track, Colorado. I view service as an essential obligation—a contribution we owe to the institutions that build and sustain our society. It is a lifelong commitment, which I greatly enjoy, and I intend to keep giving back every day.   

As a new HLC Board of Trustees member, what has struck you most about accreditation? 

The most striking observation has been the sophistication and mission-centric focus of the accreditation process. It’s fascinating to see how HLC moves beyond mere compliance to genuinely partner with institutions in order to achieve high-quality institutional control and long-term sustainability. Unlike many certification bodies that operate on rote requirements, I’ve observed HLC taking a highly consultative and collaborative approach—one that elevates best practices and proactively assists institutions that demonstrate good-faith efforts. 

Are you interested in becoming an HLC Board of Trustees member? See the related story on Nominations Invited for Board Members.