Commission on Accreditation Staff

Lisa L. Beatty, Ph.D.

Executive Director
Commission on Accreditation

Dr. Lisa L. Beatty serves as Executive Director of the ABHE Commission on Accreditation. Dr. Beatty holds a Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Leadership Studies from the University of Iowa, where her doctoral research focused on institutional outcomes of the accreditation process.

Dr. Beatty brings 29 years of leadership experience at Emmaus University as a faculty member, department chair, chief academic officer, and regional accreditation liaison and self-study coordinator. She previously served ABHE as a team evaluator and chair, Commission member and chair, Board member and officer, and conference presenter.

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M. Shane Wood, Ph.D.

Senior Associate Director
Commission on Accreditation

Dr. M. Shane Wood serves as the Associate Director for the Commission on Accreditation. Dr. Wood holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Regent University.

Dr. Wood served at three ABHE-member institutions over a period of 15 years—as program director and dean at Lincoln Christian University, division chair at Florida Christian College, and chief academic officer at Nebraska Christian College. He has also served as an interim college chief financial officer. Dr. Wood brings extensive experience as a team evaluator and chair.

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Kim Latsa

Accreditation Services Assistant

Kim joined the ABHE team in April 2015.  Kim served with Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) from 1987 to 2010–Campus Director, Regional Director, Chief of Staff for National Campus Director, and Leadership Placement Coordinator.  She is a mother of two and was a Women’s Ministry Coordinator at LifeSong Church in East Orlando since leaving Cru to raise a family.  Kim has a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Bowling Green State University and a certificate from CCC’s International School of Theology.

Sheri Popp, Ed.D.

Associate Director, Research Analyst 

Dr. Sheri Popp joined Team ABHE in June 2026. Dr. Popp has extensive experience in higher education, institutional effectiveness, and accreditation. She holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Missouri Baptist University, St. Louis, Missouri, where her doctoral research focused on the impact of faculty development on teacher attitudes and approaches to teaching. Dr. Popp last served as Director of Academic Effectiveness at Columbia International University (SC). She previously served eight years at Emmaus University (IA) in various roles including teacher education faculty, secondary education program director, and associate dean for institutional effectiveness. Dr. Popp also served five years at WEAVE Education, ending her tenure at WEAVE as Senior Director, Professional Development and Accreditor Strategy. She has been an active team evaluator and chair for ABHE evaluation visits since 2014.