On June 23, Katherine Demedis, Dan Brozovic, Taylor Dowd, and Ellyn McLaughlin will be presenting at the Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU) Career Education Convention in Cleveland, OH. Powers Law is also proud to sponsor this year’s convention.
See below information on each of their sessions.
10:45 – 11:45 AM ET | Accreditation Upheaval: How Federal Changes Will Impact Institutions and Accreditors | Room 203
Speakers: Katherine Demedis, Taylor Dowd, and Ellyn McLaughlin
Description: In April 2025, the Trump administration signaled a focus on accreditation with the Executive Order “Reforming Accreditation to Strengthen Higher Education.” Since then, the administration has taken steps to encourage the creation of new federally-recognized accreditors in an effort to increase competition and accountability and to promote high-quality, high-value academic programs focused on student outcomes. In Spring 2026, the U.S. Department of Education convened the Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization (AIM) Negotiated Rulemaking Committee to revise the regulations regarding recognition of accreditation agencies. The results of the AIM negotiations will affect all federally-recognized accreditation bodies, which serve as critical gatekeepers for career colleges and universities to access federal funds.
This presentation will explore how the proposed changes will impact the current accreditation landscape and affect the responsibilities and expectations of accreditation bodies and, in turn, impact institutions. The presenters will also discuss the process for changing accreditors.
3:30 – 4:30 PM ET | Workforce Pell: Requirements, Risks, and Readiness | Room 202
Speaker: Dan Brozovic
Description: The Department’s Workforce Pell regulations will, for the first time, extend Federal Pell Grant eligibility to certain short-term certificate programs leading to high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand occupations. The regulations introduce a complex approval and accountability framework involving Governors, state workforce boards, and the Department of Education. This session will provide a practical overview of the proposed eligible workforce program requirements, including Governor approval processes and state-determined requirements, completion and job placement rate thresholds, and the new value-added earnings limitation tying tuition to post-completion earnings. Attendees will learn what programs may qualify and what strategic and operational steps institutions should consider now to prepare for implementation.