Call for Nominations: ACCET Public Commissioners
April 15, 2025
ACCET is seeking nominations for Public Commissioners to serve on the Accrediting Commission of the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training. Public Commissioners bring the essential voice of the public to our accreditation decision-making process, helping to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in post-secondary education and training.
Public Commissioners are appointed to serve the public interest in accreditation decisions and must be independent of the institutions and organizations ACCET accredits. Specifically, a Public Commissioner—or any member of their immediate family—may not be an employee, governing board member, owner, shareholder, or consultant of an institution or program accredited by or seeking accreditation from ACCET. They may not be affiliated with any trade association or membership organization related to, affiliated with, or associated with ACCET.
Newly appointed Public Commissioners will begin service in late 2025 or early 2026, following confirmation by the Commission at either the August or December 2025 meeting.
Public Commissioners: A Vital Voice in Accreditation
ACCET’s Commission is composed of 11 to 15 members, including both Institutional and Public Commissioners. In accordance with ACCET bylaws, at least five members must be Public Commissioners. This balance ensures that the perspectives of educators are balanced with independent voices that represent the expectations and needs of students and the broader public—particularly in areas such as consumer protection and accountability. Public Commissioners play a key role in ensuring that accreditation decisions reflect not only institutional priorities but also the interests of those the institutions are meant to serve.
Time Commitment
Public Commissioners are expected to:
- Attend three 3-day Commission meetings each year (April, August, and December), held in person at the ACCET Office in Washington, DC.
- Participate in virtual committee meetings scheduled before Commission meetings to review reports and prepare for Commission decision-making.
Additionally, Public Commissioners are encouraged to attend ACCET’s Annual Conference in August, where they can engage with institutional members, contribute to policy discussions, and help represent the public voice in shaping the future of postsecondary education and training.
Minimum Qualifications & Ideal Candidate Background
We are looking for individuals who:
- Are committed to quality education and public accountability
- Bring strong communication and critical thinking skills
- Are collaborative, objective, and open-minded
- Can thoughtfully analyze large volumes of information
- Are mid-to senior-level professionals in fields such as public service, non-profit leadership, K–12 education, community engagement, private-sector leadership, or represent employers or practitioners in the fields accredited by ACCET.
Applicants should not be employed by or affiliated with any institution accredited by or seeking accreditation from ACCET, nor have immediate family members in such roles.
Click here to learn more about the current Public Commissioners serving on the ACCET Commission.
How to Apply
We welcome self-nominations and referrals of qualified individuals who meet the criteria for the Public Commissioner role. Interested individuals or nominators may submit an application using the link below. The call for nominations is open through May 25, 2025.
The Public Commissioner Nominating Committee will review all candidates, and appointments are confirmed by the Commission at either the August or December 2025 meeting.
Submit a Nomination or Apply Now
For questions or more information, contact us at info@accet.org.