American Council on Education

American Council on Education
Name	American Council on Education
Founded	0 1918
Location	Washington, D.C.
Key people	Ted Mitchell (President)
Focus	Higher education advocacy and coordination
Website	www.acenet.edu

American Council on Education. It is a major coordinating body for the nation's colleges and universities, founded in 1918 to lead and unify the higher education community. The organization represents the interests of over 1,700 member institutions to the federal government and other national bodies. It provides leadership on key issues, conducts research, and administers programs that influence educational policy and practice.

History

The organization was established in 1918 during World War I to help coordinate the support of colleges and universities for the war effort, particularly through the Student Army Training Corps. Its founding was championed by prominent educators like Charles R. Van Hise of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In the following decades, it played a critical role in shaping the GI Bill, advocating for federal student aid, and promoting equity, notably through the 1947 report "Higher Education for American Democracy" by the President's Commission on Higher Education. Throughout the Cold War and the expansion of the University of California system, it continued to influence national policy on access and diversity.

Organization and leadership

The organization is governed by a Board of Directors composed of presidents and chancellors from its diverse member institutions, including representatives from the Association of American Universities and the American Association of Community Colleges. Its daily operations are led by a president, a position held since 2017 by Ted Mitchell, former Under Secretary of Education in the Obama administration. Key internal divisions include the Center for Policy Research and Strategy and the Center for Internationalization and Global Engagement, which guide its agenda. It maintains its headquarters in Washington, D.C., strategically located to engage with Congress and agencies like the U.S. Department of Education.

Programs and initiatives

It administers several high-impact programs, including the ACE Fellows Program, a leadership development initiative that has prepared many future university presidents since 1965. The Military Evaluations Program reviews and recommends college credit for military training and occupations. Other significant efforts include the ACE Internationalization Lab, which helps institutions like the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill develop global strategies, and the ACE Women's Network, which works to advance women into senior leadership roles across higher education.

Policy and advocacy

The organization is a primary voice for higher education in Washington, D.C., advocating on issues such as federal funding for research, Pell Grant increases, and regulations affecting accreditation. It regularly testifies before Congress and submits comments to the U.S. Department of Education on rules related to Title IV financial aid. It has been instrumental in coalitions addressing DACA and international student visa policies, working alongside groups like the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. Its advocacy also focuses on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.

Member institutions

Membership includes a vast and diverse array of over 1,700 accredited, degree-granting institutions. This encompasses major research universities like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, private liberal arts colleges such as Amherst College, public systems like the California State University, community colleges including Miami Dade College, and nonprofit organizations like the College Board. Membership is institutional, with representatives typically being the president or chancellor of the member college or university.

Publications and research

It produces influential publications, including the annual "The American College President" study and the "Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education" report. Its research arm analyzes data on topics from student debt to faculty trends, informing policy debates. It also publishes "Higher Education Today," a digital magazine, and issues briefs on pressing topics for leaders at institutions like Stanford University and the University of Texas at Austin. These resources are widely cited by media outlets, Congressional Research Service, and associations like the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.

Category:Educational organizations based in Washington, D.C. Category:Higher education associations in the United States