Annual Conference
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 | 4pm
Centennial Gala
Washington, DC
Diamond Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
For nearly a century, distance education has embodied a revolutionary promise: that learning should transcend the boundaries of place, circumstance, and convention.
When visionary educators founded the non-profit that would become DEAC in 1926, they recognized that quality education could—and should—reach beyond traditional classroom walls to meet learners where they are. This “Freedom to Learn” has been our north star through decades of transformation, from correspondence courses delivered by mail to today’s sophisticated digital platforms.
DEAC’s 100th Annual Conference brings DEAC-accredited institutions and applicants for accreditation together to advance the enduring legacy of distance education and to equip practitioners to enhance educational quality and outcomes in the century ahead.
Monday night’s Centennial Gala, a separately-ticketed formal event, features a cocktail reception, dinner, dancing, and inspiring reflections on DEAC’s legacy and the future of distance education. Together we’ll commemorate the enduring impact of visionary institutional founders whose work has made possible these 100 years of innovation, leadership, and opportunity.
Featured Speakers
Opening Keynote
Stephen M.R. Covey
How can innovative institutions break the cycle of public skepticism toward higher education?
Tuesday Morning Keynote
Dr. Jen Mott
What will tomorrow’s learners expect from distance education?
Closing Keynote
Dr. C. Edward Watson
What will distance education look like in the next several decades—or even century?
Other Program Highlights
Future Ready: The Next Era for Accreditation
With unprecedented changes to federal oversight of higher education likely, leaders of several major institutional accreditors join DEAC’s Executive Director, Dr. Leah Matthews, to consider how accreditors and their institutions can work together to build trust, accountability, and credibility for the next century.
Breakout Sessions
Six hours of breakout session options led by peers with practical experience applying DEAC standards as well as specialized learning tracks on technology, policy and strategy, workforce and ROI, academic excellence, and leadership and mission.
Centennial Awards Luncheon
Tuesday’s luncheon honors newly-accredited institutions as well the outstanding graduates, alumni, and volunteers whose dedication and accomplishments exemplify the very best of DEAC’s century-long tradition of quality education and innovation.
Through the Years
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The Foundation
The organization is founded as the National Home Study Council (NHSC) on October 29, 1926.
The GI Bill
The Servicemen's Readjustment Act (GI Bill) is signed into law, making higher education accessible for returning veterans and allowing them to enroll in private correspondence schools.
Federal Recognition
The Accrediting Commission is approved by the U.S. Commissioner of Education as a "nationally recognized accrediting agency," establishing distance education as a legitimate learning path.
National Academic Recognition
The NHSC is accepted as an affiliate member of the American Council on Education (ACE), integrating the Council into the broader higher education community.
The Higher Education Act
The Higher Education Act is signed into law, making college attainable for working adults and first-generation students.
Rebranding as DETC
The NHSC officially changes its name to the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) to reflect the shift from "correspondence" to "distance education".
CHEA Recognition
The DETC Accrediting Commission receives formal recognition from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), acknowledging the academic quality of distance learning.
Higher Education Opportunity Act
The Higher Education Opportunity Act updates federal standards to specifically recognize and regulate online learning.
Renamed to DEAC
The Accrediting Commission is officially renamed the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).
The Centennial
DEAC celebrates 100 years of advancing educational quality and access.
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