CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: ATHEA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Join Us in Shaping the Future of Transnational Higher Education Quality Assurance 

Application Deadline: March 27, 2026

Opportunity Overview

 ATHEA is expanding its Board of Commissioners—the independent decision-making body responsible for accreditation decisions and quality assurance governance. We seek approximately 6 experienced individuals to join our Board and help advance quality in transnational higher education. This is an extraordinary opportunity to contribute to a rapidly evolving field at the intersection of internationalization, quality assurance, and higher education innovation. Position Type: Voluntary (in most institutions, this would qualify as a faculty service commitment) 

Role of the Board of Commissioners

 The Board of Commissioners is ATHEA's independent accreditation decision-making body. Commissioners: 

• Make accreditation decisions for institutions seeking ATHEA accreditation based on rigorous evaluation against ESG-aligned standards
• Oversee quality assurance processes to ensure consistency, fairness, and continuous improvement
• Develop and refine standards for institutional accreditation in transnational contexts
• Ensure independence and integrity in all ATHEA's quality assurance activities
• Contribute expertise to support institutional improvement across diverse educational systems

Board members do NOT conduct site visits or institutional reviews (these are performed by independent external experts). Instead, Commissioners review evidence, deliberate on findings, and make independent judgments about accreditation status.

Who We're Seeking

Essential Qualifications

 All candidates must possess: 

1. Demonstrated Higher Education Expertise 

• Substantial experience in academic administration, teaching, or research
• Deep understanding of higher education systems, governance, and quality assurance

 2. Quality Assurance Knowledge 

• Thorough knowledge of quality assurance principles and practices
• Prior participation in accreditation processes (as reviewers, institutional representatives, or agency staff)
• Understanding of external quality review methodologies

 3. Transnational Education Competence 

• Understanding of cross-border education challenges, cultural differences, and varied regulatory frameworks
• Experience working in or with institutions operating across national boundaries
• Appreciation for diverse educational systems and contexts

 4. Commitment to Excellence 

• Unwavering commitment to fairness, objectivity, and integrity in assessment
• Ability to evaluate evidence critically and make sound judgments
• Dedication to continuous improvement in quality assurance

Preferred Qualifications

 We give strong preference to candidates who demonstrate: Senior Academic Leadership 

• Current or recent service in senior management positions at higher education institutions (e.g., Dean, Vice-President, Rector, Provost, Director)
• Demonstrated leadership in institutional strategy, academic affairs, or quality assurance

 Research and Scholarly Achievement 

• Active or recent research record in relevant fields
• Recognized expertise in academic disciplines relevant to ATHEA's scope (business, technology, social sciences, humanities, natural sciences)

 Quality Assurance Governance Experience 

• Service on quality assurance bodies, accreditation commissions, or review panels
• Experience with external quality review processes and decision-making

 International and Multilingual Competence 

• Multilingual capabilities (English required; additional languages highly valued)
• Multicultural competencies for effective evaluation across national contexts

Commitment to Diversity

 ATHEA is committed to building a Board that reflects diverse perspectives and ensures independent, comprehensive decision-making. We particularly encourage applications from: 

Geographic Diversity

• Candidates from various regions where transnational education operates
• Those with understanding of regional educational contexts across Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa, and the Americas

Academic Diversity

• Multiple disciplines: business, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, technology, professional fields
• Various institution types: research universities, teaching-focused institutions, specialized schools, online education

Professional Diversity

• Academic administrators and institutional leaders
• Faculty members with quality assurance expertise
• Quality assurance professionals with agency or regulatory experience

Independence

 We particularly seek candidates from higher education institutions outside the current ATHEA member network to ensure Board independence from institutions under review. 

Demographic Diversity

 We are committed to gender balance and welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds who bring varied perspectives to our deliberations. 

Time Commitment and Term

 Term of Service: 3 years, renewable once (maximum of two consecutive terms) 

Meeting Schedule: 

• Monthly online meetings (typically 1-3 hours via videoconference)
• One annual in-person meeting (typically 2 days, location varies)
• Case review preparation (varies by agenda; typically 3-6 hours per meeting reviewing institutional materials)

Total time commitment: Approximately 5 hours per month Compensation: This is a volunteer position. 

Application Process

Required Materials

 Interested candidates should submit: 

1. Current Curriculum Vitae 

• Highlighting relevant higher education experience
• Emphasizing quality assurance involvement
• Noting leadership roles and achievements

 2. Letter of Interest (maximum 2 pages) Please address: 

• Your motivation for serving on the ATHEA Board of Commissioners
• How your experience and expertise align with the qualifications outlined above
• What unique perspective or expertise you would bring to the Board
• Your understanding of transnational higher education and quality assurance challenges
• Your availability for the time commitment required

 3. Two Professional References 

• Names and contact information for two individuals who can speak to your qualifications
• At least one reference should address your quality assurance or leadership experience

Evaluation Criteria

 Applications will be evaluated based on: 

• Alignment with essential and preferred qualifications
• Contribution to Board diversity (geographic, disciplinary, professional, demographic)
• Independence from current ATHEA member institutions
• Demonstrated commitment to quality in higher education
• Ability to contribute immediately and effectively to Board deliberations

Timeline

How to Apply

Submit application materials electronically to: administration@athea.org

Subject line: "BoC Commissioner Application - [Your Last Name]" 

Support Provided

 ATHEA provides comprehensive support for new Commissioners: 

• Orientation and onboarding on ATHEA standards, processes, and governance
• Administrative support from ATHEA's Executive Office
• Clear documentation of standards, procedures, and decision-making frameworks
• Collaborative environment with experienced colleagues

Equal Opportunity

 ATHEA is committed to equal opportunity and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, national origin, religion, disability, or other characteristics. We are particularly committed to achieving gender balance and geographic diversity on our Board. 

Take the Next Step

 If you are passionate about quality in higher education, have expertise in academic leadership or quality assurance, and want to contribute to advancing transnational education, we encourage you to apply. Help us build a Board that brings diverse expertise, international perspectives, and unwavering commitment to quality in transnational higher education. 

Application Deadline: March 27, 2026

Submit to: administration@athea.org

About ATHEA

The Association for Transnational Higher Education Accreditation (ATHEA) is an independent, international quality assurance agency based in Vienna, Austria. ATHEA accredits higher education institutions that operate across national boundaries, ensuring they meet rigorous quality standards and provide students with valuable, recognized educational credentials. 

ATHEA operates in accordance with the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG 2015) and is currently pursuing registration with the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR).

Please find more information on the Board of Commissioners on our website: Commissioners | ATHEA