American Council on Education

American Council on Education. The American Council on Education is a non-profit organization that plays a significant role in higher education in the United States, working closely with Harvard University, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It was established in 1918 with the support of Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Ford Foundation, and Rockefeller Foundation. The organization's efforts are often aligned with those of the National Science Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, and Institute of International Education.

● History

The American Council on Education has a rich history, dating back to World War I, when it was founded to facilitate the transition of World War I veterans into higher education. The organization's early work was influenced by Woodrow Wilson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, and it has since worked with numerous U.S. Presidents, including Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon B. Johnson. The organization has also collaborated with prominent universities, such as University of California, Berkeley, University of Michigan, and Columbia University, as well as research institutions like National Institutes of Health and National Academy of Sciences. Additionally, the American Council on Education has partnered with organizations like American Association of Community Colleges, Association of American Universities, and Council for Higher Education Accreditation to advance its mission.

● Organization

The American Council on Education is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and is led by a board of directors comprising prominent higher education leaders, including chancellors from University of Texas at Austin, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and University of Washington. The organization's structure includes various committees and task forces focused on issues like academic affairs, student affairs, and diversity and inclusion, often working in conjunction with organizations like National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and American College Personnel Association. The American Council on Education also has a strong relationship with federal agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Education, National Science Foundation, and National Endowment for the Arts, as well as international organizations like United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

● Membership

The American Council on Education has a diverse membership base, comprising over 1,700 colleges and universities, including community colleges like Miami Dade College and Northern Virginia Community College, as well as private universities like Yale University and Princeton University. The organization's members also include higher education systems, such as the University of California and State University of New York, and organizations like American Council on Education, National Association of College and University Business Officers, and College Board. Additionally, the American Council on Education has partnerships with professional associations, such as American Psychological Association, American Sociological Association, and Modern Language Association, as well as foundations like Gates Foundation and Lumina Foundation.

● Programs_and_Initiatives

The American Council on Education offers a range of programs and initiatives aimed at promoting access and equity in higher education, often in collaboration with organizations like National Center for Education Statistics and Institute for Higher Education Policy. These initiatives include the ACE Fellows Program, which provides leadership development opportunities for higher education administrators, as well as the ACE Women's Network, which supports women in higher education leadership. The organization also offers research and analysis on key issues in higher education, such as student debt and college affordability, often working with think tanks like Brookings Institution and Center for American Progress. Furthermore, the American Council on Education has launched initiatives like ACE's Center for Education Attainment and Innovation and ACE's College and University Partnerships, which focus on innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education, in partnership with organizations like Kauffman Foundation and National Association of Colleges and Employers.

● Policy_and_Advocacy

The American Council on Education plays an active role in higher education policy and advocacy, working closely with Congress, the White House, and federal agencies like the U.S. Department of Education and National Science Foundation. The organization's policy efforts focus on issues like federal funding for higher education, student financial aid, and immigration policy, often in collaboration with organizations like National Association of College and University Business Officers and American Association of Community Colleges. The American Council on Education also provides testimony and comments on key higher education legislation, such as the Higher Education Act and the Every Student Succeeds Act, and works with coalitions like the Higher Education Coalition for Immigration Reform and National Coalition for College Completion to advance its policy agenda.

● Accreditation

The American Council on Education is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency, and it plays a critical role in the accreditation process for institutions of higher education. The organization works closely with regional accrediting agencies, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, as well as specialized accrediting agencies like the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. The American Council on Education also provides guidance and resources on accreditation and quality assurance in higher education, often in partnership with organizations like Council for Higher Education Accreditation and National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity. Additionally, the organization collaborates with international accrediting agencies, such as the European University Association and the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education, to promote global quality assurance in higher education.

Category:Higher education in the United States