FAU Hosts Launch of the Commission for Public Higher Education

This morning, Florida Atlantic hosted a joint press conference to help announce the newly established Commission for Public Higher Education, a first-of-its-kind accreditor formed by six public university systems, including the State University System of Florida. We had the honor of being joined by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis; Ray Rodrigues, chancellor of the State University System of Florida; Shonda Gibson, senior associate vice chancellor of the Texas A&M University System; and Thad Westbrook, chair of the Board of Trustees for the University of South Carolina System.

The Commission for Public Higher Education is an accreditor built by public universities and which understands the needs and requirements of public universities. The consortium of higher education systems that spearheaded this effort includes the State University System of Florida, the University of North Carolina System, the University of South Carolina System, the University System of Georgia, the Texas A&M University System, and the University of Tennessee System. It will offer high-quality, efficient accreditation services that prioritize academic excellence, student outcomes and achievement, while streamlining processes and giving universities more meaningful options.

This new accreditation model represents a bold step forward in how excellence is defined, and how public universities are evaluated. As Florida Atlantic continues to rapidly expand and ascend as a top-tier public research university, this framework will position us to grow, innovate and deliver life-changing opportunities for the students and communities we serve. I am thankful to the leaders of all six public university systems — especially Chancellor Ray Rodrigues — for working to establish the Commission for Public Higher Education for us all. I look forward to the positive impact this new model will have on public universities nationwide.