Barbara Brittingham is director and president of the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. In this role, Brittingham oversees and ensures effectiveness of regional accreditation of 235 colleges and universities in six New England states and nine institutions abroad; represents the Commission to higher education institutions, organizations, government agencies, international visitors, and others; and develops policy, procedures, and materials to fulfill dual functions of quality assurance and quality enhancement among affiliated colleges and universities. Prior to NEASC, Brittingham was the founding dean of the college of Education at Zayed University, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, worked as a consultant with the World Bank National Educational Development Project in Turkey, and held several positions at the University of Rhode Island including Dean of the College of Human Science and Services and professor of education.