CHEA named Antoinette Flores as vice president for federal policy and government relations, placing a new federal-policy lead at the center of how accreditation and quality assurance interface with U.S. regulation. Flores will lead CHEA’s federal policy strategy and engagement, including analysis on emerging issues affecting accreditation and higher education policy. CHEA President Nasser H. Paydar described the appointment as strengthening CHEA’s ability to engage policymakers and support member institutions amid shifting accountability frameworks. Flores succeeds Jan Friis, who retired after 20 years at CHEA. CHEA said Flores most recently served as Director of Higher Education Accountability and Quality at New America and previously held senior roles in the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education, including oversight work related to the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.