Cynthia Jackson Hammond, president of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), has been a member of the higher education community for over 30 years. Her professional career has included tenured and administrative positions in universities throughout various regions of the United States: University of Louisiana Monroe, California State University Dominguez Hills; Delaware State University; University of North Carolina Charlotte, Winston-Salem State University; and Coppin State University. Most recently, Dr. Jackson Hammond completed her tenure as president of Central State University in Ohio.

She is a sought-after thought leader on accreditation, multicultural diversity and inclusion. Her academic discipline is Education and Higher Education Administration. Dr. Jackson Hammond spent the majority of her career in administration serving as director of TRIO programs, academic dean, provost and president. Jackson Hammond has served on many national boards including Thurgood Marshall College Fund; NCAA Division II Presidents Council; American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education; and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. She has appeared several times on Capitol Hill providing testimony regarding the status of 1890 Land-Grant institutions.

Jackson Hammond is an ardent advocate for quality assurances and transparency in higher education and is committed to the advancement of college success, equity and integrity in higher education.