The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) elected eight new members to its 2026–2027 Board of Directors and named a new slate of officers, effective with three-year terms beginning July 1, 2026. The new directors include provosts and chancellors from across the higher-education landscape, including the University of the Virgin Islands, Oklahoma State Regents, Baruch College (CUNY), and Lone Star College-Online. CHEA also confirmed leadership roles including Catherine Wehlburg as Chair and David Schmidt as Vice Chair, with additional officer appointments for Secretary and Treasurer. CHEA President Nasser H. Paydar said the board’s experience will support CHEA’s role in advancing academic quality, institutional excellence, and public confidence in accreditation. For colleges and universities, board appointments can influence how CHEA prioritizes accreditation quality initiatives, governance expectations, and public-facing accountability work across accrediting organizations.