Episode #298: How Accreditors Can Be Catalysts for Innovation in Higher Ed

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Sep 24, 2025

Dr. Maria Toyoda, the new president & CEO of the WASC Senior College and University Commission, dives into the transformative potential of accreditation in higher education. She discusses the importance of prioritizing student success over compliance and how accreditors can act as partners in institutional change. Maria sheds light on recent federal actions impacting accreditation and predicts the role of AI in education's future. Her insights offer a roadmap for navigating the complexities of educational innovation.

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INSIGHT

Accreditation Is Continuous Partnership

Accreditation is an ongoing, collaborative process focused on continuous improvement, not a one-time compliance inspection.\n- Good accreditors center their work on institutional mission and student success rather than punitive enforcement.

ADVICE

Work With Accreditors, Don’t Fear Them

Treat accreditors as partners and engage in continuous dialogue rather than fearing punitive oversight.\n- Use accreditor resources for training, data tools, and ongoing improvement support.

INSIGHT

Federal Guidance Creates More Noise Than Clarity

Federal signals around accreditation create noise but not always clear operational guidance for institutions and accreditors.\n- Accreditors must interpret shifting federal directives while continuing their data-informed oversight.

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Dr. Maria Toyoda, newly appointed president of the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), joins Dustin for a refreshingly candid conversation about the current and future state of accreditation in higher ed. She shares how accreditors can be powerful partners for institutional change, why student success—not compliance—is the true north, and what’s actually happening behind all the policy noise. From clarifying federal guidance to preparing for AI disruption, this episode offers a masterclass in leading with mission, metrics, and momentum.

This episode includes a sponsored question in partnership with Brian LeDuc, founder of Learning, Designed — a consulting practice and newsletter focused on helping higher ed institutions design more student-centered systems and strategies.

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Guest Name: Dr. Maria Toyoda - President & CEO of WASC Senior College and University Commission

Guest Social: LinkedIn

Guest Bio: Maria Toyoda is president & CEO of WASC Senior College and University Commission, one of the seven formerly regional accreditors of institutions recognized by the US Department of Education. Previously, she served as executive vice president and provost at Western New England University; dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at Suffolk University; and professor of political science and associate dean at Villanova University. She was a research scholar and associate director at Stanford University’s Institute for International Studies and the Asia-Pacific Research Center. She received her AB from Stanford University and her PhD from Georgetown University. Maria has held numerous fellowships and visiting appointments in the United States and Japan.

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Connect With Our Host:
Dustin Ramsdell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell/

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