Aspiring Accreditor Approves First Institution

The Commission for Public Higher Education—an aspiring college accreditor—announced Thursday that it has voted to give Florida Polytechnic University its stamp of approval, marking the group’s first accrediting decision since it was established in 2025. 

“We set out to build a new approach to accreditation specifically designed to meet the needs of public higher education,” Mark Becker, chair of the commission’s board, said in a news release about the vote. “This decision represents the realization of that vision and an important milestone in the Commission’s development.” 

CPHE has not yet earned federal recognition. That means the institutions it approves won’t be able to depend on CPHE alone to qualify for federal student aid. But the group is working through the yearslong process to obtain that recognition. 

The commission was announced by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at a press conference where he railed against the existing “cartel” of accreditation agencies, calling them proponents of “woke bias” and DEI. The governor specifically targeted the Commission on Colleges and Universities, formerly known as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

CPHE has since received letters of intent from at least 10 institutions, including Florida Polytechnic. All 10 are currently accredited by CCU and located in Southern states—Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Texas—where conservative lawmakers have criticized accreditation.

Florida Polytechnic and other institutions seeking CPHE accreditation will maintain their current accreditation at least until CPHE gains federal recognition. 

The university, located in Lakeland, Fla., specializes in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. Its choice to be part of CPHE, according to the news release, reflects its commitment to “institutional innovation” and “preparing students for success in a rapidly evolving workforce.”

“Earning accreditation from CPHE as its first institution is a tremendous honor and a historic achievement for Florida Polytechnic University,” President Devin Stephenson said. “This milestone reflects the dedication of our faculty, staff, and leadership … and we look forward to continuing our commitment to innovation, accountability, and student success.”