CHEA Hosts Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow Abby-Gail Blanchard, to Focus on Higher Education Quality

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                

The Council for Higher Education Accreditation to host Abby-Gail Blanchard,
2022-2023 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow at Penn State University (PSU), for a six-week post.

Washington, D.C. – The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) announces that it will host Ms. Abby-Gail Blanchard, a 2022-2023 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow at PSU. As a Fellow, she will focus on a CHEA International Quality Group (CIQG) initiative. The CIQG is a member affiliation that focuses on quality assurance and international matters in higher education.

“We are thrilled that Ms. Blanchard will join CHEA and explore global initiatives that support higher education institutions,” said Cynthia Jackson Hammond, President of CHEA. “Ms. Blanchard is a researcher and scholar with extensive educational experiences and will work with CHEA to expand other research activities.”

The Humphrey Fellowship, a Fulbright Exchange, is offered to mid-career professionals with a proven record of leadership, a public service commitment, and the capacity to take full advantage of a self-defined program of independent non-degree study. The program builds connections between U.S. and foreign leaders to advance solutions to the most pressing global challenges, from combatting climate change, to protecting human rights, increasing access to education, and building global health security. Founded in 1978, the program honors the late Senator and Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, and it is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Institute of International Education.

Ms. Blanchard will examine international higher education, focusing her efforts on quality assurance and accreditation issues. She plans to develop a practical guide for designing, implementing, and assessing quality assurance frameworks and systems. Based on her practical guide, a capacity-building program will be developed for quality assurance personnel working in private and public educational institutions in Suriname.

Ms. Blanchard is CEO, Co-founder, Director and Consultant at Blanchard Institute for Educational Development and Research based in Paramaribo, Suriname. She earned her Master of Science in Education and Research for Sustainable Development from the Anton de Kom University of Suriname.

Ms. Blanchard will begin her work with CHEA on May 1, 2023.

Photo: Abby-Gail Blanchard.  Photo credit: Courtesy of Penn State University.

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About the Council for Higher Education Accreditation: The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) serves its members, students and society through advocacy for the value and independence of accreditation, recognition of accrediting organizations, and commitment to quality in higher education.

Contact: Jeanne Hamrick, Director of Communications, 202-372-9258, [email protected]