Accrediting with 2050 in Mind

As new delivery models, credentials, and learning pathways emerge, long-standing accreditation frameworks are being tested In both policy and practice—raising fundamental questions about quality, accountability, and the pace of innovation.This session brings together institutional leaders, accreditation innovators, and higher education policy advocates to examine where current accreditation models are constraining progress and what must evolve. Panelists will explore the shift toward outcomes-focused accreditation, the role of evidence and transparency in assuring quality, and how oversight practices and policy can better support responsible experimentation without lowering standards.The conversation moves beyond whether accreditation should change to how it can: aligning accountability with real learning outcomes, enabling innovation that expands access and affordability, and ensuring accreditation remains a safeguard for students while adapting to a rapidly changing postsecondary landscape.