Dr. Peggy Pelonis has been appointed Chair-Elect of the Middle States Association Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools, a distinguished role that reflects her longstanding commitment to educational excellence and global school improvement.

Her appointment was announced during the Commission’s recent gathering in Hershey, Pennsylvania—a conference that brought together commissioners from across the globe, each dedicated to helping schools become stronger, more thoughtful, and more innovative. 

One of the defining moments of the meeting was the Commission’s decision to move forward with the Next Generation Accreditation Standards. For Dr. Pelonis, this wasn’t simply a procedural update; it felt like a shift toward a more future-focused vision of what schools can become. She views these new standards as a chance to raise expectations in ways that actually matter—encouraging meaningful growth, inspiring new ideas, and giving schools a clearer path toward excellence.

Responsibilities as Chair-Elect

In her new role, Dr. Pelonis will assume several key responsibilities designed to support the governance and strategic leadership of the Commission. As Chair-Elect, she will:

• Act in place of the Chair in the event of the Chair’s absence or inability to fulfill designated duties
• Serve as a member of the Executive Committee
• Serve as an ex-officio member, with voting rights, on both the Finance Committee and the Policy and Planning Committees
• Serve on the Middle States Association Board of Trustees at the first available vacancy

These responsibilities place Dr. Pelonis at the center of key decision-making and policy development for one of the world’s most respected accrediting bodies. Her leadership as Chair-Elect marks not only a significant personal milestone, but also a meaningful contribution to the ongoing global advancement of education.

About MSA-CESS

MSA-CESS accredits preK-12 public, private, parochial, charter, non-degree granting career and technical post-secondary institutions, systems of schools, and learning services providers. Historically, MSA-CESS accredited schools only in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia) however, over time membership has grown to include schools in 39 U.S. States and 112 countries around the world.

Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the organization works closely with dedicated volunteers throughout the nation and around the world to support school improvement through accreditation.