Short-Term Credentials: What College Leaders Should Know
Changing Higher Ed
As short-term credentials gain traction, higher ed leaders face a critical question: Are these programs truly cost-effective and accessible—or just shorter? In this episode, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Jinann Bitar, Director of Higher Ed Research and Data Analytics at Education Trust, about the cost-efficiency, accessibility, and policy implications of short-term credential programs. They discuss new research on program affordability, disparities across states and industries, and the limited long-term earnings data available. Jinann shares what institutions need to consider before...
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Washington Update: Dismantling the Department of Education and Redefining Oversight for Higher Ed
Changing Higher Ed
Tom Netting, president of TEN Government Strategies and a trusted Washington insider, returns to provide a critical update on sweeping federal changes affecting higher education. In conversation with Drumm McNaughton, he breaks down the Trump administration’s executive order to dismantle the Department of Education, a move that’s already led to major staff reductions and the redistribution of responsibilities across other federal agencies. Key Discussion Points Structural Overhaul of the Department of Education: Nearly 50% of ED staff have been laid off, including in core offices such as...
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Enrollment Marketing Strategy: How to Attract Students and Align Programs
Changing Higher Ed
Enrollment marketing strategy is no longer optional—it’s essential for institutions looking to grow in a competitive, high-cost digital environment. In this episode, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Max DesMarais, Director of Strategy at Vital, about how colleges and universities can use data, content strategy, and full-funnel marketing to improve student recruitment and ensure academic offerings align with demand. Building an Effective Enrollment Marketing Strategy Validate program demand before launch using research, polling, and student behavior data. Use student-friendly program names...
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Higher Education Innovation That Builds Workforce-Ready Graduates
Changing Higher Ed
80% of Champlain College graduates land jobs in their field of study—because the college designed its model to make students workforce ready. In this episode, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Alex Hernandez, President of Champlain College, about how higher education institutions can build their innovation muscle to with workforce needs and improve graduate outcomes. Building the Innovation Muscle —not a static document. Faculty co-design new academic models, driving institution-wide innovation. Innovation is embedded in culture, not dependent on top-down initiatives. Aligning Curriculum...
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The Hidden Enrollment Market in Workforce Education
Changing Higher Ed
There are 41.5 million Americans who left college without earning a degree—but many would return if given the right opportunity. In this episode, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Alana Rose, Vice President of Academic Networks at InStride, about how workforce education and corporate partnerships can unlock a hidden enrollment market. The Workforce Education Advantage Employer-funded education provides debt-free learning opportunities for employees. Workforce development programs help companies upskill employees and retain talent. Higher education institutions gain access to...
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Transforming College Advising: A New Approach to Student Success
Changing Higher Ed
Higher education institutions continue to struggle with student retention, career readiness, and underemployment among graduates. Traditional college advising models focus heavily on selecting a major, yet many students graduate with empty degrees that fail to translate into meaningful careers. In this episode of Changing Higher Ed®, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Scott Carlson and Dr. Ned Scott Laff, authors of , about how institutions can rethink academic advising, faculty engagement, and to better serve today’s learners. Carlson, a senior writer for the Chronicle of Higher...
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Top Risks in Higher Education and Why Leaders Must Have ERM Programs
Changing Higher Ed
Justin Kollinger, Senior Risk Management Consultant at United Educators (UE), brings valuable perspective in helping colleges and universities develop strategic risk initiatives. As co-author of "Risk Management: An Accountability Guide for University and College Boards" and creator of UE's annual Top 10 Risks report, Kollinger works with institution leaders to develop strategic risk initiatives, prioritize risk management goals, and launch enterprise risk management programs. Higher Ed's Current Risk & Liability Environment The higher education sector faces what United Educators calls...
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ADA Compliance in Higher Education: What Institutions Need to Know
Changing Higher Ed
New Federal ADA Regulation Deadlines Are Approaching – Is Your Institution Ready? Colleges and universities must now meet stricter ADA compliance requirements for websites and digital content or risk legal consequences, fines, and loss of federal funding. With the , institutions must ensure all web content, mobile apps, and digital resources meet WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards. For many schools, the deadline is approaching fast. In this episode of Changing Higher Ed®, host Dr. Drumm McNaughton has a conversation with Eugene Woo, CEO and founder of Venngage, to discuss what these...
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The Glass Cliff in Higher Education: Challenges Faced by Women University Presidents
Changing Higher Ed
According to recent ACE presidential survey data, women now constitute 33% of university presidencies, yet a troubling pattern has emerged: these leaders are often appointed during times of institutional crisis, creating what researchers call "the glass cliff" phenomenon. In this episode of Changing Higher Ed®, Dr. Lori Varlotta, former president of Hiram College and California Lutheran University and current Distinguished Professor of Higher Education Leadership at Cal Lutheran, shares insights from her research on the glass cliff phenomenon in higher education. Drawing from her first...
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Keys to Launching New College Programs that Build Enrollment
Changing Higher Ed
Creating new colleges, new college programs, and growing enrollment is not an easy task in our current academic environment. Building enrollment for a brand-new academic program is one of higher education's toughest challenges. Yet, the successfully recruited its first class by flipping the traditional mindset. Instead of expecting students to be "college ready," they designed their programs to be "student ready." In this episode of Changing Higher Ed®, Dr. Teri Reed, inaugural director of the University of Oklahoma Polytechnic Institute at OU Tulsa and veteran creator of innovative...
info_outlineInnovation in Higher Education Accreditation: How NECHE Leads Change
Gone are the days of counting library books and checking boxes. With average presidential tenure plummeting to less than five years and a wave of institutional mergers reshaping American higher education, understanding the evolution from prescriptive to nuanced accreditation has become paramount for institutional survival.
In this podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton, in discussion with Dr. Lawrence "Larry" Schall, President of the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE), shares insights on how accreditation has transformed from a compliance exercise into a partnership that helps institutions navigate contemporary challenges while maintaining academic quality and institutional accountability.
Transformative Trends in Institutional Consolidation
Demographic challenges are driving unprecedented changes in higher education structure. According to Schall, New England's unfavorable demographics have accelerated institutional mergers and consolidations, with public systems leading transformative change:
- 12 Connecticut community colleges have consolidated into a single college with multiple campuses
- Five Vermont state colleges merged to create Vermont State University.
- Maine pioneered the country's first system-wide consolidated accreditation.
This seismic shift in institutional organization signals a fundamental change in how accrediting bodies must approach quality assurance and institutional oversight.
Pioneering Approaches to Accreditation Innovation
The conversation around accreditation has moved beyond traditional compliance to encompass comprehensive institutional transformation. NECHE exemplifies this evolution through:
- Implementation of accelerated degree programs
- Authorization of Spanish-language graduate programs within the U.S.
- Expansion of international accreditation
- Support for innovative educational delivery models
Meeting Modern Higher Education Challenges
NECHE's approach demonstrates how accreditors can maintain rigorous standards while supporting institutional innovation:
- Trust-based relationships with member institutions
- Regular presidential appearances before the commission
- Proactive communication about institutional challenges
- Flexible standards that encourage innovation while ensuring quality
Three Takeaways for University Presidents and Boards
- Leadership stability and board-president alignment are critical for institutional success. With presidential tenure averaging less than five years, institutions struggle to implement meaningful change. Strong alignment between boards and presidents is essential for effective governance and institutional advancement.
- Traditional educational models are becoming outdated, with more innovation happening internationally than domestically. Institutions that proactively develop new models of education delivery are more likely to succeed in the next 25 years. Higher education leaders should look beyond conventional approaches to prepare for future disruption.
- The independence of higher education from government control is increasingly at risk. Political intervention in curriculum, governance, and accreditation threatens the fundamental strength of the American higher education system. Institutions must work to maintain their autonomy while demonstrating accountability and quality.
Navigating accreditation challenges, merger discussions, or innovative program implementation can feel overwhelming. Your institution's mission and values matter. The Change Leader partners with you to tackle these complex challenges head-on, helping you stay true to who you are while meeting accreditation standards. We get it - you're not just another merger statistic. Your institution's unique identity and future matter.
These are just some of the key insights and opportunities you will hear in this podcast—listen to the full episode for more.
Read the transcript on our website: https://changinghighered.com/accreditation-neche-style-from-prescriptive-to-nuanced/
#HigherEducation #HigherEducationAccreditation #HigherEdChallenges
About Our Podcast Guest
Dr. Lawrence Schall joined the Commission staff as President in 2020. Previously, he served as President of Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia, for 15 years. During his tenure, Dr. Schall led the transformation of Oglethorpe from an at-risk institution to a university boasting a doubled class size and rigorous spending safeguards, raised over one hundred million dollars, and secured a solid financial outlook for the institution. Schall currently serves on the Board of Spelman College, the highly-ranked historically Black women’s college also in Atlanta.
President Schall received his undergraduate degree from Swarthmore College and his J.D. and Ed. D. from the University of Pennsylvania. After practicing law as a civil rights attorney in Philadelphia for a decade, he served as Vice President of Administration at Swarthmore for 15 years before assuming the Presidency of Oglethorpe.
Visit President Schall's blog, NECHE On The Road, to learn more about him and his work at the Commission.
About the Host
Dr. Drumm McNaughton is Principal Consultant and CEO of The Change Leader, Inc. A highly sought-after higher education consultant with 20+ years of experience. Dr. McNaughton works with leadership, management, and boards of both U.S. and international institutions. His expertise spans key areas, including accreditation, governance, strategic planning, presidential onboarding, mergers, acquisitions, and strategic alliances.
Dr. McNaughton’s approach combines a holistic methodology with a deep understanding of the contemporary and evolving challenges facing higher education institutions worldwide to ensure his clients succeed in their mission.