For many associations, publishing an annual report is an opportunity to demonstrate transparency. Inviting your constituents to discuss it — live, with leadership, in real time — is something more.
ABET’s 2025 Annual Impact Report is a comprehensive look at a year of advancing quality in higher education. But if you want more than the written record, if you want the context, the candid answers and the direct access to organizational leadership that a document alone cannot provide, the 2025 Annual Impact Report Leadership Update was made for you. The first-of-its-kind webinar that gave interest holders across the ABET community a direct line to organizational leadership, an opportunity to ask questions and a chance to go deeper than any written report alone can take them.
A New Kind of Conversation
ABET’s Annual Impact Report serves as the record of the organization’s accomplishments, partnerships, financial position and strategic direction. But a report, by its nature, is a one-way document — it tells you what happened. It cannot answer follow-up questions, highlight progress or address what is actually on a constituent’s mind.
The 2025 Leadership Update changed that.
“This is quite different than in the past where we developed our report, delivered it via our website, but had no opportunity to discuss what might be on people’s minds or answer any potential questions they might have,” said Dr. Michael K. J. Milligan, ABET’s Chief Executive Officer. “It’s a sign of a progressive, forward-thinking organization that really wants to understand our constituents’ concerns, issues and questions and how we might be able to serve them better, and more efficiently.”
What the Reading Covers
The Leadership Update recording gives viewers a focused look at three areas at the heart of the 2025 Annual Impact Report:
The theme of lifelong learning. The 2025 report centers on the idea that education does not end at graduation — and the Leadership Update explores what that means for accreditation standards, curriculum design and the expectations placed on STEM programs worldwide.
How ABET supports evolving education pathways. As higher education continues to shift — with new credential types, changing workforce demands and growing global enrollment — the update examines how ABET’s accreditation framework is designed to keep pace.
Strategic priorities for the future. Viewers hear directly from ABET leadership on where the organization is headed, including its goals for broadening global engagement, growing membership and expanding its professional programs.
The Value of Real-Time Access to Leadership
The live session included a Q&A portion, where attendees raised questions addressed by ABET’s senior leadership, including the CFO, in real time. Those answers went beyond the language of the report — providing specific, factual context on matters that clearly resonated with a broader audience.
“I did hear a couple of questions that I’m sure several others were thinking,” Dr. Milligan said, “and we had an opportunity for our experts in leadership to provide detailed answers that weren’t in the report itself. I think that really strengthens the message that we want to be as transparent as possible.”
That exchange is one of the clearest demonstrations of what ABET means when it talks about transparency.
A Step Towards Ongoing Dialogue
The 2025 Leadership Update drew a strong audience — a sign, Dr. Milligan noted, of significant interest across ABET’s global community. While it was the first event of its kind at ABET, it won’t be the last.
“I’m sure next year we’ll have even more attendees, as word spreads about this new communication channel,” he said. “I look forward to doing the same for the 2026 Impact Report as we continue our impact on quality assurance and building a better world.”
Whether you attended the live session or are just now learning about it, the 2025 Annual Impact Report Leadership Update recording is available to view now.
Watch the Leadership Update recording and explore the complete 2025 Annual Impact Report.