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How 1 Leader Plans to Transform 782 Institutions by Cutting Bureaucracy & Embracing Innovation - w/ Stephen Pruitt, President, Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges-SACSCOC

Stephen Pruitt, President · Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges-SACSCOC

Nov 18, 2025 54 min
How 1 Leader Plans to Transform 782 Institutions by Cutting Bureaucracy & Embracing Innovation - w/ Stephen Pruitt, President, Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges-SACSCOC

What this conversation answers

  • 01

    How does a new accreditation leader eliminate the phrase "that's the way we've always done it" & slash 52 substantive change categories by at least half while implementing a "students first always" philosophy?

  • 02

    What happens when an accreditor moves from "gotcha" accountability to a "carrots & sticks" approach with a sandbox of innovation that lets institutions negotiate around standards in exchange for measurable outcomes?

  • 03

    How does SACSCOC plan to embrace AI for firewalled tools, celebrate institutional successes with 60 categories of recognition, & create different pathways for R1 universities versus technical colleges?

Show notes

It's YOUR time to #EdUp 

In this episode, sponsored by the 2026 InsightsEDU Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, February 17-19,

YOUR guest is Stephen Pruitt, President, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

YOUR cohost is Dr. G. Devin Stephenson, President, Florida Polytechnic University

YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio

  • How does a new accreditation leader eliminate the phrase "that's the way we've always done it" & slash 52 substantive change categories by at least half while implementing a "students first always" philosophy?
  • What happens when an accreditor moves from "gotcha" accountability to a "carrots & sticks" approach with a sandbox of innovation that lets institutions negotiate around standards in exchange for measurable outcomes?
  • How does SACSCOC plan to embrace AI for firewalled tools, celebrate institutional successes with 60 categories of recognition, & create different pathways for R1 universities versus technical colleges?

Listen in to #EdUp

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