We will be working quickly to provide institutions additional guidance, but for now there are two categories institutions can select to submit those substantive changes under: 

1. Substantially Changing the Number of Clock or Credit Hours – This category would be selected if your institution is seeking to modify the credit hours of an existing degree program or add a reduced-credit degree program parallel to an existing program of traditional length that will remain in the Program Inventory. 
2. Adding Program Content or Academic Program(s) that Represent a Significant Departure (25% or more aggregate change) from Program(s) or Related Programs Approved Previously – This category would be selected if your institution is seeking to add a new degree program with reduced credit hours that is not currently offered by the institution.

Page 17 of the Substantive Change Manual, under item 4, outlines the key areas that an institution will currently need to address when submitting a substantive change proposal for a bachelor’s degree seeking to offer less than the historical 120 semester or 180 quarter units/credits.    

At this time, we have not designated a name for these degrees, but it is essential that the institution include an identifier of the accelerated nature of these degrees within the program name. We recognize that some institutions and/or systems are referring to them as Accelerated Bachelor’s, Three-Year Bachelor’s, Reduced Credit Bachelor’s, and/or Bachelor’s of Applied Studies. We want to ensure that states and institutions have the necessary flexibility regarding naming conventions at this time. We may determine, at some point, that there is general consensus on a degree name, but for now we are providing institutional flexibility. 

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NWCCU is pleased to announce that, per the Commission’s Bylaws, the Board of Commissioners endorsed the election by the institutional members of several commissioners during the Summer Commission Meeting, held July 8-11, 2025 in Seattle, WA.  

Sean Chandler, President, Aaniiih Nakoda College, will serve his first three-year term, after completing the one-year unexpired term of Commissioner David Yarlott, former president of Little Big Horn College.
Matt Freeman, Executive Director of Relations, Idaho State University, will complete the second term of Past Chair Marlene Tromp, former president of Boise State University.
Shari Peterson, Director – Institutional Effectiveness, Accreditation, and Strategic Planning, College of Southern Nevada, will serve her first three-year term.
Laurie Sharp, Senior Associate Provost for Academic Programs, Assessment, and Accreditation, Utah Valley University, will serve her first three-year term.

The Board expresses its gratitude to the members of the Nominations Committee; NWCCU staff; and the presidents, chancellors, and CEOs of NWCCU member institutions for their valuable contributions to this important process.

Commission Updates

The Board of Commissioners also approved second three-year terms for Commissioners Kevin Melcher and Joseph Schaffer.  

Additionally, the Board of Commissioners voted to extend the term of Commission Chair Scott Finnie for one year and voted Commissioner Stefani Hicswa as Vice Chair.  

The current members of the Executive Committee are: 

• Dr. Scott Finnie, Chair 
• Dr. Stefani Hicswa, Vice Chair 
• Dr. Isiaah Crawford, Secretary 
• Dr. Marie A. Chisholm-Burns, Treasurer and Chair of Finance Committee  
• Dr. Sean Chandler, Chair of Nominations Committee 
• Mr. Kevin Melcher, Chair of Audit Committee  
• Dr. Brad Mortenson, Chair of Bylaws, Standards, and Policies Committee 

The Board of Commissioners warmly congratulates and welcomes both new and returning commissioners. The Board extends its sincere appreciation for their dedication to accreditation and their commitment to promoting excellence in higher education. 

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The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) has updated five policies to reflect NWCCU’s practice and its compliance with the U.S. Department of Education’s Accreditation Handbook. Information on these revisions will be provided to the institutional Accreditation Liaison Officers (ALO) during the Townhall conversation on July 23, 2025.  

The revised documents are linked below with a summary of changes to each and the impact on NWCCU member institutions. 

Accreditation Criteria Policy 

Reason for review and revision: Regular review. Last revised in December 2020.  

Summary of changes: 

1. Added a sentence at the beginning that says, Member or Candidate institutions must commit to following these Processes and Procedures, NWCCU Standards and ERs, and NWCCU Policies as a condition of accreditation.
2. In the section on international institutions, added “also” to ensure that these conditions are in addition to the requirements in the opening paragraph that apply to all NWCCU Member and Candidate institutions.   

Impact of changes: None. These requirements already exist, but this clarifies the expectations in this policy.  

Accreditation Liaison Officer Policy 

Reason for review and revision: Regular review. Last reviewed and updated in June 2020.   

Summary of changes: 

1. In the selection of ALO section, added: (1) Role commensurate with confidential communications regarding the institution and (2) Access to programmatic changes at the institution and other substantive change matters.  
2. Added a primary duty of communicating matters of importance, particularly related to accreditation at the institution.  

Impact of changes: Institutions must review the responsibilities to ensure that the ALO at the institution is involved in matters of importance for accreditation at the institution in order to effectively conduct the ALO’s primary duties.  

Administrative Procedures for Institutional Visits and Board of Commissioner Meetings Policy 

Reason for review and revision: Adjusting reporting and communication dates to reflect current NWCCU practice and make critical notification and report dates predictable for institutions.  Last reviewed March 2023. 

Summary of changes: 

1. The institutional notification for upcoming evaluation by NWCCU was changed from 120 calendar days to four (4) months.
2. The 45 or 60-day timeline for report submission by institutions, depending on report type, was changed to six (6) and eight (8) weeks, respectively.    

Impact of changes: No change to current agency or institutional practice; updated policy language accurately reflects other agency communications with institutions.  

Arbitration Policy 

Reason for review and revision: Making minor changes to reflect updates with arbitration practices. Last reviewed and revised in 2024.  

Summary of changes: 

1. Specifies the arbitrator is the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (JAMS) representative.   

Impact of changes: None. Reflects intended practice.  

Related Entities Policy 

Reason for review and revision: Regular review. Last reviewed in June 2019.  

Summary of changes: 

1. Clarified throughout the document the references to the NWCCU Candidate or Member Institution and Related Entities.
2. Added language requiring notification to NWCCU upon any material change in the relationship between the Institution and the Related Entity. 
3. Added language recommending participation by a representative of the Related Entity during a comprehensive accreditation visit.  
4. Removed the Exhibit with the Certification example because these cases are each unique and the Certification example did not necessarily provide the required specific information in the event NWCCU requested confirmation of the relationship with the Related Entity.  

Impact of changes: None, other than the recommended participation of a Related Entity representative during comprehensive accreditation visits.  

NWCCU Bylaws

(updated version to be posted soon) 

Reason for review and revision: To address the following: 

1. Clarify Commissioner officer roles and term lengths.
2. Clarify replacement processes for Chair and Vice Chair roles, in the event those positions are vacated prior to the end of the term. 
3. Clarify items that may be addressed by the Executive Committee of the Commission on behalf of the Commission between regular or special meetings. 
4. Clarify composition of the Executive Committee of the Commission resulting from changes to officer positions. 

Summary of changes:  

1. Removed Immediate Past Chair role from the Commission. Chair and Vice Chair remain as two-year terms with automatic succession from the Vice Chair to Chair role.  
2. Changed references to January and June Commission meetings to Winter and Summer. 
3. Clarified that the Executive Committee could act on behalf of the Commission to confirm the appointment of officers or committee members made by the Chair.  
4. Clarified that the Vice Chair automatically becomes Chair if the Chair vacates their role prior to the end of their two-year term. A subsequent vacancy in the Vice Chair role would be filled by the processes described in the Bylaws.  
5. Changed the composition of the Executive Committee to include the Chair; Vice Chair; Secretary; Treasurer; Chair of Nominations Committee; Chair of Audit Committee; and Chair of Bylaws, Standards, and Policies Committee. This composition must still represent both academic and administrative ranks and at least one member shall be a public representative. 

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NWCCU is pleased to announce that, per the Commission’s Bylaws, the Board of Commissioners endorsed the election by the institutional members of Jacqueline Summers during the January Commission Meeting. Summers is the CEO of Paxaro Solutions, a business providing development workshops, program design, project management, facilitation, grant research, and grant writing services.  

Summers is also the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Health TIE, an Alaskan healthcare innovation hub. As Executive Director, Summers has improved Alaskan healthcare through partnering with healthcare startup companies and innovators, elevating their work, making connections, and launching Alaska-based pilot projects that directly address Alaska healthcare challenges. 

Summers has a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Colorado, Bouder and a Master of Adult Education form the University of Alaska Anchorage.   

The NWCCU Board of Commissioners congratulates and welcomes the new and returning commissioners and offers its sincere appreciation to their service and support of accreditation and excellence in higher education in the Pacific Northwest. 

The NWCCU Board of Commissioners also thanks members of its Nominations Committee, NWCCU staff, and presidents, chancellors, and CEOs of NWCCU member institutions for their help with this process. 

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The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) held a fall Commission Meeting on November 20, 2024, in Seattle, Washington. 

NWCCU is pleased to announce that, per the Commission’s Bylaws, the Board of Commissioners endorsed the election by the institutional members of Dr. Staci Martin during the November Commission Meeting. Dr. Martin, faculty member of the School of Social Work at Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, will assume the unexpired term of Commissioner Rosalia Messina, former executive vice president/chief strategy and innovation officer for the University of Western States, Portland, Oregon.  

The NWCCU Board of Commissioners congratulates and welcomes the new and returning commissioners and offers its sincere appreciation to their service and support of accreditation and excellence in higher education in the Pacific Northwest. 

The NWCCU Board of Commissioners also thanks members of its Nominations Committee, NWCCU staff, and presidents, chancellors, and CEOs of NWCCU member institutions for their help with this process.

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The Commission thanked and bade farewell to Commissioners Robin Baker, Mark Calvert, Marty Cavalluzzi, Bogdan Hoanca, Amy Morrison, Rachel Solemsaas, Kevin Worthen, David Yarlott, and Jim Youde for their dedicated service to promote excellence in higher education and accreditation. These commissioners also provided yeoman service as members or chairs of the various standing committees, including Audit, Bylaws, Standards, and Policies, Executive, Finance, and Nominations. 

NWCCU is pleased to announce that, per the Commission’s Bylaws, the Board of Commissioners endorsed the election by the institutional members of several commissioners during the 2024 June Commission Meeting. 

These include: 

Mr. Boyd Baggett, Juris Doctor, faculty of religion and Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation, Brigham Young University – Idaho, Rexburg, Idaho, will serve his first three-year term replacing Commissioner Robin Baker, George Fox University, Newberg, Oregon.

Dr. Ryan Carpenter, Superintendent, Estacada (Oregon) School District, Estacada, Oregon, will serve his first three-year term as a Public Member, replacing Commissioner Mark Calvert, Cascade Capital Group, Bellevue, Washington.

Dr. Sean Chandler, President of Aaniiih Nakoda College, Harlem, Montana, will assume the one-year unexpired term of Commissioner David Yarlott, former president of Little Big Horn College, Crow Agency, Montana.

 Dr. Isaiah Crawford, President of the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington, will serve his first three-year term replacing Commissioner Thayne McCulloh, President of Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington. 

Dr. Chad Hickox, President of Walla Walla Community College, Walla Walla, Washington, will serve his first three-year term replacing Commissioner Amy Morrison, President of Lake Washington Institute of Technology, Kirkland, Washington.  

Dr. Tamara Rozhon, Provost, Southern California University of Health Sciences, Whittier, California, will serve her first three-year term as an Out-of-Region commissioner, replacing Commissioner Rachel Solemsaas, former chancellor of Hawaii Community College, Hilo, Hawaii. 

Dr. Carli Schiffner, President of Grays Harbor College, Grays Harbor, Washington, will serve her first three-year term replacing Commissioner Marty Cavalluzzi, President of Olympic College, Bremerton, Washington. 

Ms. Martha Sheehy, Billings, Montana, constitutional lawyer and former member of the Montana Board of Regents, will serve her first three-year term as a Public Member, replacing Commissioner James Youde of Vancouver, Washington. 

Dr. Dan White, President of the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, will serve his first three-year term replacing former Commissioner Bogdan Hoanca, professor at the University of Alaska-Anchorage. 

The NWCCU Board of Commissioners congratulates and welcomes the new and returning commissioners and offers its sincere appreciation to the departing commissioners for their service and support of accreditation and excellence in higher education in the Pacific Northwest. 

The NWCCU Board of Commissioners also thanks members of its Nominations Committee, NWCCU staff, and presidents, chancellors, and CEOs of NWCCU member institutions for their help with this process. 

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Dr. Brad Mortensen serves as the president of Weber State University and will represent Utah institutions of higher education. Dr. Mortensen will serve out the remainder of Dr. Beckie Hermansen‘s unexpired term, ending June 2026.

Dr. Patricia Moy serves as the Associate Vice Provost for Academic and Student Affairs at the University of Washington and will represent Washington institutions of higher education. Dr. Moy will serve out the term of Dr. Delores “Kandee” Cleary, extending to June 2026.

The NWCCU Board of Commissioners congratulates and welcomes the new and returning commissioners and offers its sincere appreciation to the departing commissioners for their service and support of accreditation and excellence in higher education in the Pacific Northwest.

The NWCCU Board of Commissioners also thanks members of its Nominations Committee, NWCCU staff, and presidents, chancellors, and CEOs of NWCCU member institutions for their help with this process.

To learn more about the Commissioners, please visit NWCCU’s webpage, Roster of Commissioners.

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The National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) has recommended the continuation of NWCCU’s recognition as an accreditor. NWCCU has 24 months to update a few policies, in compliance with new federal regulations.

Just like its member institutions are required to undergo a peer evaluative process on a seven-year cycle for reaffirmation of their accreditation, NWCCU undergoes renewal of its recognition once every five years to serve as an institutional accreditor.

NWCCU is deeply grateful to its dedicated staff, Commissioners, and colleagues who helped with NWCCU’s petition for renewal of recognition and many of whom joined the NACIQI appearance on August 2, 2023. The appearance allowed the organization to showcase its commitment to student success and closing equity gaps and to respond to questions from the NACIQI members.

The NACIQI members were complimentary of NWCCU’s data-informed efforts focused on student success and closing equity gaps within our higher education community. They also commended the organization on its vision to ensure access, belonging, and success of every student.

Together with its member institutions, NWCCU champions transformation, embraces data-informed support tools, and fosters innovation to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.

NWCCU conveys its heartfelt thanks to its member institutions, Accreditation Liaison Officers, Peer Evaluators, Commissioners, and staff for fostering a culture of educational excellence.

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The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) is pleased to announce that, per the Commission’s Bylaws, the Board of Commissioners endorsed the election of several commissioners during the 2023 June Commission Meeting held in Seattle, Washington.

These include:

• Dr. Lisa Avery, President of Linn-Benton Community College, will begin her first three-year term replacing Commissioner Marta Yera Cronin, President of Columbia Gorge Community College.
• Dr. Marie Chisholm-Burns, Executive Vice President and Provost of Oregon Health and Science University will serve her first three-year term replacing Commissioner Susan Capalbo of Oregon State University.
• Dr. Beckie Hermansen, Director of Institutional Research of Snow College, will serve her first three-year term replacing Commissioner Brad Mortensen of Weber State University.

The NWCCU Board of Commissioners congratulates and welcomes the new and returning commissioners and offers its sincere appreciation to the departing commissioners for their service and support of accreditation and excellence in higher education in the Pacific Northwest.

The NWCCU Board of Commissioners also thanks members of its Nominations Committee, NWCCU staff, and presidents, chancellors, and CEOs of NWCCU member institutions for their help with this process.

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Dr. Thayne McCulloh’s service as Chair of the NWCCU Board of Commissioners ended on June 22, 2023. The Commission is forever indebted to him for his long, passionate, and effective service to higher education and accreditation in the Pacific Northwest. He will continue to serve the Commission as immediate past chair. Please join us in thanking Dr. McCulloh, and we wish him continued success as president of Gonzaga University.

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