Lead: Governing boards face an intensifying federal agenda and political scrutiny of accreditation practices. AGB’s federal policy update urged boards to prepare for sweeping changes—ranging from the Administration’s Compact to new accountability expectations—while CHEA reiterated the need to protect accreditation processes from politicization. What happened: AGB recommended board engagement, advocacy training and readiness for Compact‑style settlements; CHEA issued guidance defending core accreditation norms and warning against improper use of accreditation language. Who’s involved: AGB, CHEA, institutional boards, accrediting bodies and federal policymakers. Why it matters: Trustees must strengthen oversight, legal review and advocacy capabilities as federal changes could affect tuition policy, enrollment, and program approvals. Accreditation protections and clear board policies will be essential to preserve institutional autonomy and assure public trust.