Last Updated on July 26, 2025 by Bertrand Clarke
In a bold move reshaping the landscape of higher education, seven southern states—Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina—are pioneering a new accreditation agency aimed at prioritizing merit-based achievement over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mandates. Announced in July 2025, this initiative, spearheaded by Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis and supported by Louisiana’s Governor Jeff Landry, seeks to establish the Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE), a nonprofit accreditor headquartered in Florida. With a $4 million fund from Florida’s legislature and a target to begin accrediting institutions by 2026, this effort is poised to challenge the traditional accreditation system and spark a nationwide debate on the role of ideology in higher education.
A New Vision for Accreditation
The CPHE aims to redefine how public colleges and universities are evaluated, focusing on rigorous, outcomes-based standards that emphasize academic excellence and student achievement. Governor DeSantis, in a June 2025 statement, described the initiative as a way to break the “ideological stronghold” of accreditation agencies that he claims impose DEI-driven criteria. “This accreditor will ensure that our institutions prioritize merit and prepare students for real-world success, not ideological conformity,” DeSantis said. The move comes amid growing conservative criticism that existing accreditors, such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS), have overstepped by incorporating DEI metrics into their evaluations.
The new accreditor, still seeking approval from the U.S. Department of Education by 2028, will assess institutions based on factors like curriculum quality, faculty expertise, financial stability, and student outcomes. Unlike traditional accreditors, the CPHE explicitly aims to avoid what its proponents call “DEI-driven mandates,” focusing instead on measurable academic and professional achievements. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry echoed this sentiment, stating, “Our universities should be centers of learning, not platforms for social engineering. This task force will ensure Louisiana’s institutions align with merit-based principles.”
The Context: A Shifting Higher Education Landscape
This initiative emerges against a backdrop of significant changes in higher education policy. In April 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the U.S. Secretary of Education to rescind approval of accreditors that enforce DEI standards, labeling them as “unlawful discrimination.” The order also encouraged the creation of new accreditors to foster competition and accountability. This federal push aligns with state-level efforts in the South, where Republican-led legislatures have scaled back DEI programs. For example, Florida and Texas have banned campus DEI offices, while North Carolina and South Carolina have restricted funding for such initiatives.
The CPHE’s formation also responds to concerns from conservative stakeholders who argue that DEI standards compromise academic integrity. University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd praised the initiative, stating, “This commission will create a competitive marketplace in higher education, where institutions are judged on their ability to educate, not on their adherence to ideological trends.” Critics of traditional accreditation, like Andrew Gillen from the Cato Institute, argue that accreditors have abused their gatekeeping power over federal financial aid by pushing DEI agendas.
Implications for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
One of the most significant aspects of the CPHE’s mission is its focus on strengthening partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The seven states involved host a significant number of HBCUs, including institutions like Howard University, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Xavier University of Louisiana. The CPHE plans to foster apprenticeships and workforce development programs with these institutions, aiming to enhance opportunities for Black students while maintaining a merit-based focus. This approach has sparked mixed reactions.
Proponents argue that this could empower HBCUs by aligning them with industry needs and reducing bureaucratic oversight. For instance, the CPHE’s emphasis on reporting foreign gifts and contracts aims to ensure transparency and protect institutional autonomy. However, critics, including some Black educators, express concern that moving away from DEI frameworks could undermine efforts to address systemic inequities. Dr. Osose Obeh, a Johns Hopkins-trained physician, noted, “Diversity in education isn’t about lowering standards; it’s about ensuring qualified individuals from all backgrounds have access. Removing these frameworks risks sidelining underrepresented groups.”
Data from the Association of American Medical Colleges highlights the stakes: while Black doctors increased from 2.6% of the workforce in 2019 to 5.2% in 2022, they still represent only 13.7% of the U.S. population. HBCU medical schools, such as Morehouse and Meharry, outperform many predominantly white institutions in producing Black physicians, underscoring their critical role. Critics worry that a merit-only focus might overlook structural barriers that DEI programs aim to address.
The Accreditation Debate: Merit vs. Ideology
The creation of the CPHE has reignited debates about the role of accreditation in higher education. Nonprofit accreditors, recognized by the federal government, evaluate institutions to ensure quality and eligibility for federal aid. Traditionally, they assess finances, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes, but some, like the WASC Senior College and University Commission, explicitly include DEI metrics. SACS, which accredits many southern institutions, does not, but critics argue it still encourages DEI indirectly.
Opponents of the CPHE, including the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, argue that accreditation should remain ideologically neutral. President Heather Perfetti warned that politicizing accreditation could lead to legal challenges, stating, “The proper way to change accreditation policies is through inclusive rulemaking, not executive orders.” John Przypyszny, a higher education attorney, cautioned that viewing accreditation through an ideological lens risks undermining its objectivity. “Accreditation should focus on quality, not culture wars,” he said.
Meanwhile, conservative voices, including Scott Yenor of the Claremont Institute, argue that DEI and merit are incompatible. At a 2025 Higher Learning Commission meeting, Yenor claimed that DEI standards prioritize identity over competence, a view echoed by some CPHE supporters. This perspective aligns with sentiments trending on X, where users have expressed support for protecting conservative students from perceived ideological bias on campuses.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
The CPHE faces significant hurdles. Gaining U.S. Department of Education approval, a process that typically takes two years, is a critical step. Until then, its ability to accredit institutions and ensure their eligibility for federal aid remains uncertain. Additionally, the initiative must navigate a polarized political climate, with critics warning that it could deepen divisions in higher education. The Chronicle of Higher Education noted that legal challenges may arise if the CPHE is seen as circumventing established accreditation processes.
Yet, the initiative also presents opportunities. By fostering competition among accreditors, the CPHE could drive innovation in how institutions are evaluated. Its emphasis on transparency, such as requiring colleges to report foreign funding, aligns with growing concerns about external influence in academia. Moreover, its focus on workforce-aligned programs could strengthen ties between universities and industries, particularly in the South’s growing tech and manufacturing sectors. In 2024, for example, Texas saw a 6.2% increase in tech job postings, while Georgia’s advanced manufacturing sector grew by 4.8%, signaling demand for skilled graduates.
A National Conversation
The CPHE’s launch marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over higher education’s purpose and priorities. For its supporters, it represents a return to meritocracy and a rejection of what they see as ideological overreach. For critics, it risks dismantling progress toward equity and inclusion, particularly for marginalized students. As the initiative moves toward its 2026 launch, its success will depend on its ability to balance these competing visions while maintaining academic rigor.
The seven southern states are betting that the CPHE will set a new standard for accreditation, one that prioritizes measurable outcomes over ideological mandates. Whether this gamble pays off remains to be seen, but it has already sparked a national conversation about the future of higher education. As one X user put it, “This is about giving students a fair shot based on their work, not their identity. Let’s see if it delivers.”
