Dear Members, Colleagues, and Friends of ACCET,

As the holiday lights still shine and the year draws to a close, we at ACCET are filled with gratitude and accomplishment for the journey we shared with you in 2023.

This year, we’re happy to announce that our membership has grown to 194 accredited institutions. We welcomed eight new institutions to our diverse community in 2023. Each new member institution brings fresh perspectives and strengths and enriches our membership.

We returned to in-person visits, allowing us to renew the personal connections that are a hallmark of our community. This shift marked a significant milestone back to normalcy. As a result, 2023 saw the ACCET team complete a record 302 site visits, including 188 verification visits mandated by the Department of Education. This tremendous effort is a testament to our team’s commitment and the support we received from the membership.

Our heartfelt gratitude goes to all the volunteers who joined us on visits in 2023. Their dedication and expertise are the backbone of our accreditation process. We extend the same gratitude to the presenters and panelists who represented our diverse membership at the Annual Conference, Professional Development Day, and Leadership Summit.

As many of you know, ACCET is currently undergoing re-recognition with the Department of Education. We are pleased to report that our petition is progressing well and is scheduled to be reviewed at the summer 2024 NACIQI meeting. This review is a crucial step in our ongoing journey to ensure that ACCET continues to meet and exceed the expectations set by the educational community and regulatory bodies.

The Annual Conference in Seattle in May was one of our highlights, with over 300 attendees, 45 presenters, and 26 sessions. Each conversation, presentation, and interaction added valuable insights to our collective wisdom. Similarly, our Leadership Summits in 2022 and 2023 brought together leaders from the membership, commissioners, and staff, forging pathways for future growth and innovation. We look forward to continuing to build these connections during our 2024 events.

In 2023, we also launched the virtual Professional Development Days, specifically designed to cater to faculty, administrators, and leaders’ unique needs. This initiative received an overwhelming response, with nearly 500 members registering for our August event. Encouraged by this success, we are now dedicated to making these professional development opportunities a consistent part of our ongoing events and offerings.

Speaking at the reception before the Leadership Summit in November, Commission Chair Dr. Donnell Bayot reflected on the unique bond between our diverse members, the ACCET staff, and Commissioners. He noted that the “ACCET Family” represents the strength and backbone of a strong agency about to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024.

As Dr. Timothy Mott, Commission Treasurer, reported during the 2023 Annual Business Meeting, ACCET is in good financial health. Recognizing the recovery phase many institutions are undergoing, the Commission decided to keep the fee structure unchanged for 2024, reflecting our commitment to shared growth and support.

A highlight of our annual holiday dinner for staff and Commissioners was Roger Williams, former Executive Director, sharing stories from yesteryears, setting the stage for ACCET’s 50th golden anniversary in 2024. His narratives reminded us of our rich legacy and the exciting future ahead.

As we bid farewell to 2023, the entire ACCET staff extends our heartfelt wishes for a Happy New Year to you and your loved ones. May 2024 be a year filled with joy, excellent health, and abundant opportunities, bringing forth many memorable and enriching moments in your professional and personal lives.

Happy New Year!

Res Helfer, Executive Director

In 2023, our membership grew to 194 accredited institutions, with a total of 453 sites (main campuses, branches, auxiliary classrooms).

ACCET's diverse membership now consists of 92 Vocational Institutions (47%), 63 Intensive English Programs (33%), and 39 Avocational Institutions (20%).

The Commission granted initial accreditation to eight new institutions.

The ACCET team completed a record 302 site visits in 2023, including 188 verification visits mandated by the Department of Education. This tremendous effort is a testament to our team's commitment and the support we receive from the membership.

The Annual Conference in Renton/Seattle in May was one of our highlights, with over 300 attendees, 45 presenters, and 26 sessions.

The panelists representing our diverse membership at the Annual Conference and the Leadership Summit deserve another round of applause.

• LeeAnn Rohmann, CEO, Legacy Education
• Kris Johnson, CEO & President , Phoenix East Aviation
• Sasha Zilovic, Executive Vice President of Operations/Business Affairs, ELS Educational Services, Inc
• Brigette Douglass, President , NTT Training
• Dr. Rascha Ragheb, Executive Director, National Training Academy of Egypt
• Dr. Beata Schmid, Senior Academic Advisor, EF International Language Campuses

Nearly 500 faculty, administrators, and leaders participated in this year’s Professional Development Day.

Encouraged by this success, we are now dedicated to making these virtual professional development opportunities a consistent part of our ongoing events and offerings.

This year's Leadership Summit saw an impressive turnout of 70 participants, including leaders from our membership, ACCET staff, and commissioners. It was an opportunity for collaborative planning sessions with all stakeholders, where we brought together a range of perspectives and ideas.

On behalf of the entire ACCET Staff, our heartfelt gratitude goes to all the volunteers who joined us on visits in 2023.

Your dedication and expertise are the backbone of our accreditation process.

Speaking at this year's reception prior to the Leadership Summit, the Commission Chair, Dr. Donnell Bayot, reflected on the unique bond that exists between our diverse members, the ACCET staff, and commissioners. He said that the "ACCET Family" represents the strength and backbone of a strong agency that is about the celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024.

At the traditional holiday dinner for staff and commissioners, former Executive Director Roger William's stories from yesteryears set the stage for a year full of reflection and celebration. His narratives reminded us of our rich legacy and the exciting future ahead as we prepare for the 50th golden anniversary of ACCET in 2024.

ACCET - A Partnership for Quality^®