Five Independent Colleges Join New Accreditor, National Association for Academic Excellence (NAAE)

Five independent colleges—Bellevue University, Benedictine College, Houston Christian University, Merrimack College, and the University of Mount Saint Vincent—have announced their decision to join the National Association for Academic Excellence (NAAE) as founding members. These institutions will help shape NAAE's accreditation standards, which are designed for independent colleges and universities with a focus on student achievement, education value, and the 'formation of the whole person.' NAAE, launched in 2024, aims to respect institutional autonomy while strengthening accountability. The founding members will maintain their current accreditation until NAAE receives federal recognition.