June 26, 2025
Governor Ron DeSantis Announces First-of-its-Kind Alternative University Accreditor
A consortium of six states established the Commission for Public Higher Education
BOCA RATON, FLORIDA — Today, Governor DeSantis celebrated the unveiling of a new accreditor, the Commission for Public Higher Education, that will offer an alternative to the out-of-touch accreditation system. The Commission for Public Higher Education is comprised of a consortium of six state public university systems that are committed to ensuring higher education prioritizes student achievement without ideological capture.
“Florida has set an example for the country in reclaiming higher education—and we’re working to make that success permanent. That means breaking the activist-controlled accreditation monopoly,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Today, I announced that a new accreditor, the Commission for Public Higher Education, will offer an alternative that will break the ideological stronghold. With transparent, rigorous, outcomes-based standards, this accreditor will help ensure the Free State of Florida leads the way in higher education for decades to come.”
The Commission for Public Higher Education is a consortium of higher education systems from several states offering a new accreditation model that will focus on student outcomes, process efficiency, and the pursuit of excellence for public postsecondary education. By establishing rigorous, transparent, and adaptable outcomes-based accreditation standards and practices, CPHE will ensure that colleges and universities meet and maintain academic quality and operational excellence on behalf of their students.
“I am proud to be joined by leaders of five other public university systems to establish an accreditor that will focus on ensuring institutions provide high-quality, high-value programs, use student data to drive decisions, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the process,” said Chancellor Ray Rodrigues, State University System of Florida.
“The University of South Carolina (USC) System accepted the invitation to join five other excellent U.S. university systems to form the Commission for Public Higher Education because innovating accreditation provides great benefits for universities, colleges, and our nation,” said Thad H. Westbrook, Chair of the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees. “The innovations we expect to implement will benefit students while making accreditation more efficient and more focused on outcomes, quality, and success.” |
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