ACE Transformation Labs

About the Labs

ACE Transformation Labs guide colleges and universities through a structured strategic planning process to advance critical institutional priorities. Building upon ACE's strategic focus areas, deep expertise, and extensive network of practitioners and scholars, ACE Transformation Labs are designed to effect the organizational and cultural change needed for long-term success.

Each Lab features:

Short (three to 12 months) to long-term (12+ months) options for engagement with ACE experts and a cohort of peer institutions
On-campus work including a review of current activities, analysis of strengths and opportunities, and formulation of an action plan
Three meetings of the full cohort, hosted by ACE
Facilitated virtual networking, web chats, and other communication among the cohort
Regular contact with and guidance from ACE advisors
Access to customized resources and information to inform on-campus work and analysis

Internationalization Laboratory

The Internationalization Laboratory provides customized guidance and insight to help colleges and universities achieve their internationalization goals. To date, more than 150 institutions have participated in the program.

Working closely with ACE experts, participating institutions will:

Assemble an internationalization leadership team on campus
Analyze current internationalization activities and articulate institutional goals
Formulate a strategic action plan to take internationalization efforts forward

Participation in the Lab will also include:

Site visits by ACE staff involving a roundtable discussion with the leadership team and key stakeholders to facilitate dialogue, define key questions and issues, clarify goals, and build support for the internationalization process
Three meetings of the entire Internationalization Laboratory cohort, held in Washington, DC and hosted by ACE
Regular contact with and guidance from ACE advisors as the campus conducts its review, analyzes findings, and develops its action plan

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Learner Success Laboratory

With support from Strada Education Network, ACE has developed a Learner Success Lab (LSL) program that guides institutions through a strategic planning process. The LSL aims to maximize student persistence and completion as well as ensure that learners acquire the skills necessary for success in today's workforce.

The LSL enables colleges and universities to:

Develop and deliver high-quality learning experiences and credentials that align with competencies and skills for today's workforce
Close equity gaps in key student outcomes specifically retention, persistence, and completion

The LSL is modeled on ACE's long-standing Internationalization Laboratory. It has engaged leaders in higher education and business to develop and refine program content. The inaugural cohort launched in fall 2020, and Cohort 2 will begin work in fall 2021.

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Virtual Exchange/COIL Transformation Lab

ACE is guiding efforts to advance the digital transformation of U.S. higher education teaching and learning through virtual exchange (VE) and collaborative online international learning (COIL).

Each VE/COIL Transformation Lab incorporates two parallel online intensive training programs for U.S. and global partner institutions—one custom-designed for faculty instructors and the other for senior academic and international education administrators.

Working closely with multilingual and multicultural ACE experts, participating institutions will:

Align VE/COIL program goals and objectives with learner success, workforce development, and internationalization strategies within the institution
Ensure development and delivery of high-quality online learning experiences to foster competencies and skills for today's workforce
Innovate online pedagogical practices to be more inclusive and equitable for students
Invest more in sustainable and inclusive global partnerships that build upon shared principles, values, vision, and goals

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