Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) Announces President’s Retirement

Dr. Cynthia Jackson Hammond has announced her decision to retire from the presidency of CHEA effective August 1, 2025. Dr. Jackson Hammond assumed the CHEA presidency in 2020 after her retirement as president of Central State University (CSU) of the same year. Jackson Hammond, at the time of her acceptance of the CHEA position, indicated she would commit to five years as CHEA’s president.

Dr. Gena Glickman PhD, immediate past Chair of the Board of Directors, reflects on her work with Dr. Jackson Hammond over the past three years, saying, “Dr. Jackson Hammond assumed the position amid the COVID pandemic and quickly began to assess the opportunities and challenges related to institutional stability, recognition of accrediting organizations and the connectedness to global partners as represented by the CIQG-CHEA International Quality Group.?Within a critical span of time, she was able to implement her vision to move the organization forward. Four of her notable accomplishments include leading the redesigning of the Recognition Procedures and Policies to better align with contemporary utility as well as expanding recognition to the international community; adopting a value statement of support for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and developing a non-binding Arbitration Plan for use by accrediting organizations and institutions. Dr. Jackson Hammond is an outstanding leader for CHEA and is recognized globally for her expertise.”

“The ongoing work of CHEA is grounded in a firm commitment to quality assurance and autonomy of institutions. Dr. Cynthia Jackson Hammond has kept this mission at the forefront of her work and has moved CHEA forward in great strides! We have been blessed by her leadership and she will be greatly missed. She leaves a sound legacy for us to build upon,” states Dr. Dottie King, CHEA Board Chair for 2024-25.

Dr. King adds, “Additional opportunities include a more global outreach to CIQG members, including active presentations at the annual CHEA conferences and in global webinars that highlight topics of great interest to the U.S. and the international community. The international recognition effort, as Dr. Jackson Hammond shared, is “truly an indication by the inquiries that CHEA is acknowledged globally for its commitment to academic quality and institutional quality review processes. We are pleased to be a part of this collective vision to ensure academic success for students, families, and greater communities across the globe.”

Dr. Jackson Hammond states, “It has been my sincere honor to serve CHEA and continue its work to serve its member institutions.?The work of higher education is challenging and complex and requires collaborative effort.?Being able to support institutions in quality assurance work with CHEA-recognized accrediting organizations sends a message of collaborative public good and significant confidence in higher education.”???

During her CHEA tenure, Dr. Jackson Hammond has served on many boards including the Fulbright Scholar Advisory Board (CIES) and President Joseph Biden’s Commission on Presidential Scholars.

Academic Search was selected as CHEA's search consultant. Their deep experience with high-level national searches and work with accrediting agencies will result in a robust search and will bring CHEA the leader who will continue the momentum that Cynthia brought.

The entire Council for Higher Education Accreditation community is grateful to Dr. Jackson Hammond for her outstanding service and wishes her the absolute best in her retirement.

Join us in Washington, DC for the 2025 CHEA/CIQG Annual Conference as we celebrate Dr. Jackson Hammond’s retirement. Conference registration will open on October 2.