The Department of Education and new NACIQI appointees signaled a clear shift in federal oversight of campus quality and compliance. Under Secretary Nicholas Kent publicly criticized accreditors for permitting what he called "divisive ideology" and promoted metrics tied to graduation rates, earnings and debt reduction. Jay Greene, a long-time critic of prevailing campus practices, was selected as NACIQI chair after a tied vote among board members. Kent and the administration framed the move as an effort to strengthen academic rigor and curb diversity, equity and inclusion programs; the department has floated pathways for new accreditors and renewed emphasis on outcomes-based recognition. For colleges, the shift raises immediate compliance and financial questions: accreditors determine eligibility for federal aid, and any policy changes could reshape program offerings, institutional risk assessments and long-term access to Title IV funds. Institutions should expect expedited rulemaking and more aggressive review cycles; university legal and accreditation teams will be key in negotiating recognition reviews and defending programmatic decisions under heightened scrutiny.