Association of Community College Trustees

Association of Community College Trustees is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that supports the work of community college trustees across the United States. The organization was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with a membership of over 6,500 community college trustees, including those from Miami Dade College, Northern Virginia Community College, and Houston Community College. The Association of Community College Trustees works closely with other organizations, such as the American Association of Community Colleges and the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, to advance the interests of community colleges and their students, including those attending Columbia University, University of California, Berkeley, and Harvard University.

● History

The Association of Community College Trustees was established in 1972 to provide support and resources to community college trustees, who play a critical role in governing community colleges such as Santa Monica College, Bunker Hill Community College, and Oakton Community College. The organization's early years were marked by collaboration with other higher education organizations, including the National Education Association and the American Council on Education, as well as institutions like Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and University of Michigan. Over time, the Association of Community College Trustees has grown to become a leading voice on issues related to community college governance, including No Child Left Behind Act and the Higher Education Act of 1965, which have impacted institutions like University of Texas at Austin, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Georgia Institute of Technology. The organization has also worked closely with federal agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Education and the National Science Foundation, to advance the interests of community colleges and their students, including those at California Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, and University of Washington.

● Mission_and_Objectives

The mission of the Association of Community College Trustees is to support the work of community college trustees and promote the interests of community colleges, such as San Jose City College, Pima Community College, and Tarrant County College. The organization's objectives include providing professional development opportunities for trustees, advocating for policies that support community colleges, and fostering collaboration among community college leaders, including those from University of Southern California, Duke University, and Northwestern University. The Association of Community College Trustees also seeks to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in community college governance, as reflected in the work of organizations like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, which have partnerships with institutions like University of California, Los Angeles, New York University, and University of Pennsylvania. Additionally, the organization works to support the development of community college leaders, including those who have attended Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, University of Chicago's Harris School of Public Policy, and Columbia University's Teachers College.

● Membership_and_Leadership

The Association of Community College Trustees has a diverse membership of over 6,500 community college trustees, representing institutions such as Community College of Philadelphia, Seattle Central College, and El Paso Community College. The organization's leadership includes a board of directors, which is composed of community college trustees and leaders from institutions like University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. The Association of Community College Trustees is led by a president and CEO, J. Noah Brown, who has worked closely with other higher education leaders, including Arne Duncan, former U.S. Secretary of Education, and Martha Kanter, former Under Secretary of Education, as well as institutions like Yale University, Brown University, and Dartmouth College. The organization also has a staff of professionals who provide support and resources to members, including those from Purdue University, University of Georgia, and Ohio State University.

● Advocacy_and_Policy

The Association of Community College Trustees is a leading advocate for community colleges and their students, working to influence federal and state policies that impact institutions like University of Florida, University of Arizona, and Michigan State University. The organization has taken positions on a range of issues, including Pell Grant funding, student loan reform, and workforce development initiatives, which have been supported by organizations like the National Association of Manufacturers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as well as institutions like Cornell University, University of Virginia, and University of California, San Diego. The Association of Community College Trustees has also worked to promote the importance of community colleges in addressing national challenges, such as workforce development and economic mobility, which have been highlighted by reports from the Brookings Institution and the Center for American Progress, as well as institutions like Princeton University, University of Notre Dame, and Vanderbilt University.

● Programs_and_Services

The Association of Community College Trustees offers a range of programs and services to support the work of community college trustees, including those from Cuyahoga Community College, Portland Community College, and Austin Community College. The organization provides professional development opportunities, such as conferences and workshops, which have featured speakers from institutions like Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Carnegie Mellon University. The Association of Community College Trustees also offers resources and tools to help trustees govern their institutions effectively, including those related to accreditation, financial management, and strategic planning, which have been developed in partnership with organizations like the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and the National Association of College and University Business Officers, as well as institutions like University of California, Berkeley, Harvard University, and Yale University. Additionally, the organization provides advocacy and policy support to help community colleges navigate the complex higher education landscape, which has been shaped by laws like the Higher Education Act of 1965 and the No Child Left Behind Act, as well as institutions like University of Texas at Austin, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Georgia Institute of Technology.

● Awards_and_Recognition

The Association of Community College Trustees presents several awards to recognize the achievements of community college trustees and leaders, including the ACCT Leadership Award and the ACCT Trustee Leadership Award, which have been awarded to individuals from institutions like Miami Dade College, Northern Virginia Community College, and Houston Community College. The organization also recognizes community colleges that have demonstrated excellence in governance, student success, and community engagement, such as Santa Monica College, Bunker Hill Community College, and Oakton Community College. The Association of Community College Trustees has received recognition for its own work, including awards from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and the American Association of Community Colleges, as well as institutions like University of Southern California, Duke University, and Northwestern University. The organization's leadership has also been recognized for their contributions to higher education, including J. Noah Brown, who has received awards from the National Education Association and the American Council on Education, as well as institutions like Stanford University, University of California, Berkeley, and Harvard University.

Category:Education organizations