Dr. Geoffrey Klein Named Chief of Staff at The Commission on Colleges and Universities
The Commission on Colleges and Universities announced the promotion of Dr. Geoffrey C. Klein to Chief of Staff and Vice President, effective September 1.
Klein, who has served as a vice president with the Commission since December 2021, succeeds Dr. Sandra Jordan, who retired after a distinguished career in higher education leadership and accreditation.
“Geoffrey has demonstrated exceptional leadership since joining the Commission,” said Dr. Stephen L. Pruitt, President of The Commission on Colleges and Universities. “He understands accreditation from every perspective—as a faculty member, administrator, institutional liaison, peer evaluator, trustee, and Commission vice president. That breadth of experience, along with his commitment to serving our institutions, makes him exceptionally well suited for this role as we begin an exciting new chapter for the Commission.”
As Chief of Staff, Klein will work closely with Pruitt and the Commission’s senior leadership team to advance organizational priorities, coordinate strategic initiatives, and support the Commission’s work with its more than 780 accredited institutions.
“Higher education is experiencing unprecedented transformation, and accreditation plays an important role in ensuring quality and accountability in educational offerings to students, institutions, policymakers, and the public,” Klein said. “Accreditation is a catalyst for innovation, encouraging institutions to explore new approaches and accreditors to build flexibility within their policies and procedures to improve student success while maintaining the highest standards of quality. I look forward to working with Dr. Pruitt, Commission Staff, and our member institutions toward this goal.”
Before joining the Commission, Klein served as Vice Provost for Research, Graduate Studies, and Assessment at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia. He also served as CNU’s SACSCOC Liaison and successfully led the institution through its 2017 Reaffirmation process.
Klein’s experience with the Commission extends well beyond his time on staff. He previously served on the SACSCOC Board of Trustees, including the Executive Council, worked as an accreditation consultant, and served as a peer evaluator on Substantive Change and Reaffirmation Committees. He also co-led multiple SACSCOC Reaffirmation Bootcamps and presented on the development and sustainability of state accreditation networks.
Prior to moving into higher education administration, Klein was an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Christopher Newport University. He received the institution’s inaugural Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching and secured more than $2.6 million in grants to support his research and students. He also participated in the Harvard Institute for Management and Leadership in Higher Education and the Project Kaleidoscope Summer Leadership Institute for early-career STEM faculty.
Klein earned his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Florida State University and his B.S. in Chemistry from the College of William & Mary.
His promotion comes as SACSCOC officially becomes The Commission on Colleges and Universities on September 1. The new name and identity reflect the Commission’s evolving role as a national accreditor and trusted partner to institutions while maintaining the same rigorous accreditation standards and commitment to educational quality and student success.
About The Commission on Colleges and Universities
The Commission on Colleges and Universities (The Commission) is an institutional accreditor committed to advancing educational quality and strengthening the effectiveness of its member institutions. Through a process grounded in peer review, accountability, and continuous improvement, the Commission supports institutions in their efforts to serve students and communities while maintaining public confidence in higher education.
Media Contact:
Eric Mann
Director of Public Information
The Commission on Colleges and Universities
emann@sacscoc.org | 404-994-6576