HLC’s Response to Executive Order Regarding Accreditation Reform

President Trump issued seven Executive Orders on April 23, 2025, all with directives for the U.S. Department of Education. One Executive Order specifically addressed Reforming Accreditation to Strengthen Higher Education. 



As an accreditor, HLC is committed to student success outcomes, academic quality, and reducing barriers to advance innovative educational models. 

A fact sheet on the Executive Order states that the U.S. Department of Education “must realign accreditation with student-focused principles by: 

• Resuming recognition of new accreditors to foster competition. 
• Requiring institutions use program-level student outcome data to improve results, without reference to race, ethnicity, or sex. 
• Requiring high-quality, high-value academic programs. 
• Prioritizing intellectual diversity among faculty in order to advance academic freedom, intellectual inquiry, and student learning. 
• Launching an experimental site to test innovative quality assurance pathways. 
• Increasing the consistency, efficiency, and effectiveness of the accreditor recognition review process. 
• Streamlining accreditor recognition and institutional transitions between accreditors.” 

HLC’s Response 


HLC, as a member of the Council of Regional Accrediting Commissions (C-RAC), notes that: 

“Accrediting agencies are instrumental to promoting quality assurance and protecting student and taxpayer investments in higher education. While we firmly reject President Trump’s mischaracterization of accreditors’ role in the nation’s postsecondary education system, we stand ready to work with the Secretary of Education on policies that will advance our shared mission of enhancing quality, innovation, integrity, and accountability. 

“The latest Executive Order directs the Secretary of Education to take actions that accrediting agencies have previously supported and encouraged, including facilitating the recognition of new accreditors and making it easier for institutions in good standing to change accreditors.”



The full response from C-RAC is available. 
Additional analysis by C-RAC of the Executive Order “Reforming Accreditation” is available.

What Does This Mean for HLC Members


HLC’s standards require that an institution “remains in compliance at all times with all applicable laws.” HLC’s requirements do not mandate decision making or preferences based on federally protected characteristics; prescribe any specific training or programming involving concepts related to diversity, equity or inclusion; nor require that an institution have elements as part of its curriculum involving concepts related to diversity, equity or inclusion.   

HLC will continue its practice of seeking member input, and we intend to do so as these accreditation reforms are being discussed and formulated. We welcome input from member institutions as we work together to serve all learners.

Next Steps


HLC will engage with the U.S. Department of Education to advance policy directives through ongoing communications and any negotiated rulemaking opportunities that consider voices and insights from the broader public. 

Keeping You Informed

HLC will monitor these issues through our contacts in the Triad and at higher ed organizations. As details emerge, we will keep you informed. See HLC’s Relationship within the Triad for how we provide value to members by working with states and federal agencies. See HLC’s 2025 Advocacy Agenda for information about HLC’s advocacy priorities.