President

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

President and Chief Executive Officer

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

invites applications and nominations as the Commission searches for

the next President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The

Commission seeks a collaborative, forward-thinking, and innovative

President / CEO who will be a respected voice in the national and

international conversation for independent accreditation in the

rapidly changing higher education landscape.

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

provides institutional accreditation for public and private

institutions of higher education, including Tribal and Faith-Based,

throughout the United States and internationally. The overriding

purpose of NWCCU accreditation is to assure stakeholders that an

NWCCU-accredited institution has been rigorously evaluated and that

it meets or exceeds the criteria required to maintain

accreditation. In addition, NWCCU promotes a culture of data- and

evidence-informed continuous institutional improvement, validates

institutional integrity, and provides opportunities for feedback

that improve the accreditation process.

The Commission is recognized by the United States Department of

Education (USDE) as an accreditor of higher education institutions

throughout the United States. NWCCU is a Washington State nonprofit

corporation, recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization by the Internal

Revenue Service. Further details regarding NWCCU can be "https : / / nwccu.org / bylaws / ">

found in its bylaws and a full list

of institutions accredited by NWCCU can be "https : / / nwccu.org / institutional-directory / ">

found in its

directory.

The NWCCU Board consists of up to twenty-six Commissioners, serving

staggered three-year terms without compensation, with a majority

representing institutions accredited by NWCCU, at least one

representing tribal colleges, one-seventh representing the general

public, and two commissioners from non-member institutions. The

https : / / nwccu.org / commissioners / commissioner-directory / ">

NWCCU

Board currently consists of 19 commissioners and the president,

who is ex-officio.

The Position

The president is the chief executive officer of the organization,

reporting to the NWCCU Board of Commissioners and providing

strategic leadership to the Commission in matters of research and

policy development in accreditation and administrative

effectiveness. The president contributes regionally and nationally

to ongoing discussions on quality assurance in postsecondary

education.

The president will manage a

professional and administrative staff of fourteen, seven of

which are vice presidents who serve as institutional liaisons and

perform other commission work. The seven administrative staff

members support the accreditation processes and institutional

reviews, serve as staff to the Commission, and offer programs and

support to help institutions enhance their effectiveness.

Qualifications

The president will possess an earned terminal degree and extensive

experience in administration and accreditation and will have :

Passion for the support of student learning and student retention

• and completion;

Broad and deep understanding of the higher education environment

non-profit, proprietary, and online education, for example), as

well as the contemporary issues facing higher education

Experience with accreditation and a grounded sense of student,

Extensive administrative experience, including some at a senior

level, preferably at a regionally accredited academic

Appreciation of the diversity of institutions within NWCCU and a

demonstrated commitment to fostering access and belonging in higher

Familiarity with current statutes and regulations related to

accreditation and a willingness to stay current and contribute to

Proven record of success in working with engaged and active

Ability and willingness to lead and oversee changes needed in the

Commission's standards and procedures that align with the needs and

Evidence of incorporating strategic approaches to

Ability to balance the leadership and management of internal

commission operations and engagement in national issues and

Disposition and political acumen to provide leadership for

national conversations about accreditation's role in quality

Integrity, diplomacy, and presence to represent the Commission

Demonstrated leadership skills that will advance a commission-led

Demonstrated ability to attract, retain, and inspire talented

staff and volunteers in the ongoing work of institutional review

Compassion and respect for co-workers at all levels of the

Excellent written, analytic, and communication skills; and

Willingness and ability to engage in significant travel.

More information about the position and the NWCCU can be found in

the "https : / / www.academicsearch.org / wp-content / uploads / formidable / 8 / ASI-Northwest-Commission-on-Colleges-and-Universities-President-Profilep2ADA.pdf">

institutional profile linked here.

How to Apply

Applications should consist of a letter of interest, a curriculum

vitae, and a list of five professional references with full contact

information. No references will be contacted without the explicit

permission of the candidate. Confidential applications,

nominations, and expressions of interest can be submitted

electronically to :

mailto : NWCCUPresidentCEO@academicsearch.org">

NWCCUPresidentCEO@academicsearch.org

The position is open until filled but only applications received by

Monday, May 5, 2025, can be assured full consideration. The

Commission is being assisted by Academic Search. Confidential

discussions about this opportunity may be arranged by contacting

lead consultants Ann Hasselmo at "mailto : Ann.Hasselmo@academicsearch.org">

Ann.Hasselmo@academicsearch.org

and Chris Butler at "mailto : Chris.Butler@academicsearch.org">

Chris.Butler@academicsearch.org.

Further information about NWCCU is available at "https : / / nwccu.org / ">

https : / / nwccu.org / . The anticipated salary

range for this position is $425,000-475,000.

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is committed

to equal employment opportunity and makes employment decisions on

the basis of merit. It will not discriminate based on race, color,

creed, gender, religion, marital status, registered domestic

partner, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental

disability, and medical condition (including pregnancy or

childbirth), genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, gender

identity or expression or any other consideration made unlawful by

federal, state, or local laws.

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