The 7 Biggest Mistakes Institutions Make When Seeking Accreditation
We decided to stop gatekeeping and let you in on the top 7 mistakes new institutions make (it was originally 5, but we’re overachievers here). If you can avoid these, you’ll already be ahead of the curve and less likely to find yourself heading face-first into a compliance brick wall.
State Licensure: When Red Tape Makes a Safety Net
We’ve yet to meet an institution that finds state licensure regulations thrilling. But it exists for a reason—and in the wake of shifting federal policies, growing student mobility, and expanding distance education, understanding (and respecting) state licensure has never been more important.
Higher Ed in 2025: Thriving Through Strategic Adaptation
The future may be uncertain, but that doesn’t mean your institution has to face it unprepared. By focusing on foundational priorities—accreditation, state licensure, strategic planning, and institutional effectiveness—you’ll be positioned to tackle whatever challenges come your way.
Accreditation: Higher Education’s Michelin Star
You might not readily jump to this comparison, but a restaurant deciding to pursue a Michelin Star is, in many ways, similar to an institution deciding to pursue accreditation. Both are voluntary yet rigorous processes that organizations can undergo to set themselves apart. Neither process is about a single moment of brilliance; instead, they both require a comprehensive, ongoing commitment to quality and improvement. In both cases, the entire team—from chefs to educators, from service staff to administrators—must work cohesively to meet and exceed the high standards set forth by their industry and their evaluators.
The Art of Higher Education Compliance: Cultivating Buy-In
Whether you’re working on higher education accreditation, a new telecom software, or a popstar’s memoir; empathy, communication, and clarity are critical to getting your team’s support. It still may not be easy, but it’s absolutely worth the work. Because getting your team to support your compliance efforts not only allows you to achieve your goal, it creates a culture of openness, continuous improvement, and collective success.