The Department of Education has appointed Siri Terjesen as a new member of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI), replacing Joshua Figueira after his removal tied to the committee’s chair selection. The change lands amid continued controversy over board member independence and the Department’s influence over gatekeeping for federal student aid. Terjesen, a professor and administrator at Florida Atlantic University, described NACIQI’s role as overseeing accreditors that determine eligibility for federal financial aid, including loans and Pell Grants. Her comments also reflect renewed attention on whether accreditors and standards are being applied independently of political pressure. For institutions, these NACIQI developments reinforce that federal oversight of accreditors remains an evolving compliance landscape, with membership changes shaping the tone of committee scrutiny and formal recommendations.