States and institutions are moving to test alternative accreditation pathways while the Department of Education refreshed advisory appointments. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and federal outlets have emphasized accreditation as a tool for institutional strategy and student success in recent discussions. Meanwhile a Louisiana higher-education task force voted to pursue membership in the new Commission for Public Higher Education, a regional, system-backed accreditor seeking federal recognition. The department also named five new members to NACIQI, signaling a consequential period ahead for institutional eligibility reviews and accreditor oversight as new agencies seek approval and pilot cohorts are selected.