UWS President Joseph Brimhall appointed to Council for Higher Education Accreditation

PORTLAND, Ore. — University of Western States (UWS) President Joseph Brimhall, DC, has been elected to the Board of Directors for the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Brimhall began his three-year term to the board on July 1, 2019.

He is the first chiropractic physician to be elected to the CHEA board. He previously served on the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the Council on Chiropractic Education United States, the Council on Chiropractic Education Canada and the Councils on Chiropractic Education International.

The CHEA Board of Directors works closely with CHEA’s president to establish organizational goals addressing a range of issues including government affairs, international activities, recognition and member services. CHEA is an association of 3,000 degree-granting colleges and universities and recognizes 60 institutional and programmatic accrediting organizations. The council is a national advocate and institutional voice for self-regulation of academic quality through accreditation; recognition by CHEA affirms that the standards, structures and practices of accrediting organizations promote academic quality, improvement, accountability, and needed flexibility and innovation in the institutions or programs they accredit. 

Brimhall’s appointment begins as he closes his time on the Board of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). He served on the NWCCU board for 12 years, including six years as chair of the Board of Commissioners. Commissioners are responsible for reviewing recommendations from peer-evaluation teams and making decisions about the accreditation status of colleges and universities within a seven-state Northwest region.

“I am honored to be appointed to CHEA. The opportunity will build upon the knowledge gained serving on the NWCCU board,” said Brimhall. “I look forward to my tenure and working to ensure the highest level of integrity in higher education.”

About University of Western States

University of Western States offers a world-class, integrated health care education and provides an evidence-informed approach to health and wellness. Our graduates deliver high-quality health care based on science, the professional’s skill and knowledge, and the preferences and experiences of the patient or client.

The university is in the forefront of an emerging, whole-person philosophy of health care by offering a variety of health and wellness educational programs. As a leader in health sciences education since 1904, University of Western States provides integrated, evidence-informed curricula grounded in our dedication to current research and practices. The commitment spans all of our graduate and professional programs: doctor of chiropractic degree program, master’s degrees in human nutrition and functional medicine, diagnostic imaging, sport and performance psychology, clinical mental health counseling and sports medicine. The university also provides clinic services in Portland-area UWS Health Centers. To learn more about University of Western States and its academic programs, go to uws.edu.