December 2025 News from CEA 

Message from Elizabeth Gould, 2025 Commission Chair 

Greetings on behalf of CEA. As 2025 comes to a close, and as my term of service as Commission Chair concludes, I am happy to summarize the Commission’s work over the past year. 

This year, the Commission worked diligently to uphold CEA’s mission to promote excellence in the field of English language teaching and administration, including focus on strategic priorities for research and expansion along with other aspects of the current strategic plan. The Commission closely follows developments in the higher education landscape, including changes to accreditor recognition and international student enrollment in the United States. As CEA’s non-profit governance board, the Commission participated in governance work and conducted its annual self-evaluation. Throughout 2025, the Commission made 54 accreditation decisions and approved more than 300 compliance reports reviewed by the Standards Compliance Committee, including a record number of Interim Reports. 

The December Commission meeting was recently held in Alexandria, VA. The Commission accomplished its planned work, including an accreditation decision-making session in addition to committee meetings and the range of reports and updates that are delivered in each meeting. 

In closing, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to serve as Chair on this Commission. The dedication and professionalism of my fellow commissioners, the Executive Director, and the CEA staff is unparalleled. This experience has been one of the most rewarding and enriching professional experiences in my career.  

Elizabeth Gould
2025 Commission Chair

Recent accreditation decisions
The Commission met December 5-7, 2025, to make accreditation decisions and conduct other CEA business. Accreditation decisions are announced on the CEA website under “Recent Decisions” within 30 days of each meeting. Please direct any questions about CEA or its accredited programs and language institutions to staff at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Nominating Committee and Ballot
An independent Nominating Committee reviews commissioner applications, conducts interviews, and selects candidates for Commission service. CEA conducts an election for new commissioners between September 15 and November 1 each year. The election of Sarah Grosik, Fabiana Esteves de Lima, Mariam Mostafa and Patricia Szasz was ratified by the Commission at its December meeting.

Annual Report
The CEA Annual Report Portal is live for 2026 submissions. The primary contact from each accredited program or institution should already have received information about how to complete the mandatory annual report, which consists of three parts: sustaining fees, financial reporting, and annual review form. Please see the CEA Resources page for more information about how to file an annual report, and how to create an account on the portal. 

Please contact staff at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions about this News from CEA, or to update contact information for your program or institution. 

Message from Elizabeth Gould, Commission Chair

Greetings on behalf of CEA. I am pleased to provide you with this update on the Commission’s activities, including our recent August meeting in Alexandria, VA. The Commission accomplished its planned work, including an accreditation decision-making session, subcommittee meetings, and a professional development session focused on the governance role of the Commission. Commissioners have important responsibilities not only as relates to accreditation decisions and compliance monitoring, but also as a high-functioning non-profit board with important fiduciary responsibilities.

As a specialized accreditor with commissioners representing the diverse field of postsecondary English language education, the Commission continues to actively monitor the higher education landscape in the United States and globally. I can assure you that the Commission stands ready to support its accredited and applicant sites in the pursuit of excellence in English language teaching and administration, and ensuring that students are well served by the programs and institutions accredited by CEA.

Elizabeth Gould,
2025 Commission Chair

Recent accreditation decisions
The Commission met August 1-2, 2025, to make accreditation decisions and conduct other CEA business. Accreditation decisions are announced on the CEA website under “Recent Decisions” within 30 days of each meeting. Please direct any questions about CEA or its accredited programs and language institutions to staff at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

2025 Annual Report Summary
The Standards Compliance Committee and the Commission reviewed and approved the Annual Report Summary for release following the August Commission meeting. Each year, CEA provides the Constituent Council with a summary of the annual reports submitted by accredited sites. This report is disseminated to Constituent Council members and is not intended for public release.

2026 Fee Schedule
Each year in August, the Finance Committee reviews the CEA Fee Schedule to approve all fees for the following year. There are no increases to sustaining fees. The new fee schedule is effective January 1, 2026.

2025 Policies and Procedures Committee
The 2025 Policies and Procedures Committee recommended several non-substantive editorial revisions to the CEA Policies and Procedures. Changes were accepted by the Commission at its August meeting, and Updates will be posted to the CEA website within 30 days of approval per CEA policy.

Turkish Higher Education Quality Council (YÖKAK) Recognition
CEA has been officially recognized for five years by the Turkish Higher Education Quality Council (THEQC/YÖKAK) as an authorized international accrediting agency for English language programs within Turkish higher education institutions. THEQC is the sole governmental authority responsible for reviewing and authorizing national and international accreditation agencies in Turkey. For more information about THEQC and its recognition of international accrediting agencies, please visit: https://www.yokak.gov.tr/en/.

This initiative is aligned with CEA’s current strategic plan priorities and permits postsecondary language training programs at Turkish universities to use CEA accreditation to comply with national regulations. CEA joins a small number of US-based and international accrediting agencies recognized by THEQC.