By Barbara Gellman-Danley, HLC President 

This month, I met with college and university presidents in the first of a new webinar series called Continuing the Conversation. We had the opportunity to discuss current events, including the impact of the government shutdown (which has now ended).  

Presidents expressed interest in the most recent federal grants through the Fund for Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), which is covered in this month’s Triad News. Our goal is to provide the most recent and relevant updates to our readers. 

Last week, the HLC Board of Trustees held their fall meeting, which included granting three institutions initial accreditation. You can read about them and other actions in this issue. HLC continues to receive new applications for membership from across the country. 

After the Board meeting, a retreat was held to discuss the current state of accreditation and potential new strategic directions, beginning with the next plan, North Star. It was an invigorating conversation, attended by several new trustees with varied backgrounds. The entire focus was on the role of HLC as a student-centered accreditor, working as partners with members to strengthen quality, value and the return on investment of our institutions as well as HLC. The work on North Star will continue with strategic directions announced at Higher Learning 2026. 

The Board also identified the important role of innovation in higher education and ways HLC can respond to market needs as well as the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and other new directions to be addressed as part of the North Star plan.  

HLC’s Short-term Credential Provider Endorsement was launched on October 28. We have received a lot of interest from the higher education and workforce sectors. One LinkedIn comment summed it up well by writing,  

“This is great news for students. Short-term certificates and alternative credentials strengthen employability, but quality has always been a concern.”  

HLC also heard from legislative offices and federal leaders about the importance of our work in this arena. 

My own travel involved meeting with legislative staff in D.C., chairing an inspiring Credential Engine Board and meeting with my Council for Regional Accrediting Commissions (C-RAC) colleagues. 

Coming in mid-December, the Credential Engine will release its latest report on “Counting Credentials,” which will provide extensive data on the amount and type of unduplicated credentials available to learners. We will provide a link on the HLC website when it is released. 

I also was pleased to participate in a convening of GlobalMindED held at the United Nations. I was inspired by their work to reach underserved young people with mentors and identify pathways to help guide them into productive lives through higher education and work.

This November News Brief provides a lot of valuable information. We encourage you to follow it and share with colleagues. Have a very safe and Happy Thanksgiving!