Five Colleges Form New Accreditation Body

Five independent colleges from across the United States have announced their formation as founding members of the National Association for Academic Excellence, Inc. (NAAE). The new organization aims to establish a selective, non-regional model of institutional accreditation focused on academic rigor, enhancing student value, and expanding choice in accreditation.

The founding institutions include Merrimack College (Massachusetts), Benedictine College (Kansas), University of Mount Saint Vincent (New York), Bellevue University (Nebraska), and Houston Christian University (Texas). These colleges will hold seats on NAAE's Board of Directors and Commission on Accreditation, where they will help refine standards, procedures, and technological requirements.

NAAE is designed specifically for independent colleges and universities. Its standards emphasize demonstrable student achievement, educational value, holistic development, and integrated accountability, while respecting each institution's autonomy to define its mission. NAAE President and CEO Dr. Rob Manzer stated that the new body allows these institutions to shape standards relevant to their operational realities.

Historically, U.S. colleges have been accredited by regional bodies covering broad ranges of institutions within geographical areas. NAAE argues that a sector-specific model, rather than the regional one, offers a more coherent and stringent approach to academic excellence. Federal regulations enacted in 2020 ended the monopoly of six regional accreditors and encouraged the formation of new bodies, thereby increasing competition and choice within the field.