Regional Accreditors and DEI: An Exploratory Study

• In Event: Higher Educaton Pathways: From High School to College and Beyond

Abstract

Accreditors and their influence on policy in higher education is understudied, and this comparative case study makes important contributions by examining the extent to which DEI is represented in the policies and practices of the seven historically regional accreditors. The study draws on organizational theory to understand accreditor influence in DEI policy. Findings highlight the substantial differences between accreditors and their standards. The study also uncovers the misinformed politization of accreditor influence on DEI in the southern region. Implications of these findings within the context of recent political attacks on accreditors are discussed along with future research directions.

Author

• Charity Lewallen, Southern Methodist University