Dozens of college presidents, representing the full spectrum of higher education, braved an impending snowstorm Tuesday to gather in Washington for ACE’s inaugural Hill Day, where they met with policymakers to advocate for higher education.
ACE President Ted Mitchell kicked off the event, welcoming presidents, outlining the current policy landscape—including the lawsuit ACE and others filed to halt the National Institutes of Health’s proposed cuts to research—and emphasizing the urgent need for institutions to advocate for their priorities.
“Congress needs to hear from us now and they need to hear from us vigorously,” Mitchell said.
Stepping back from the current moment, Mitchell underscored longstanding priorities such as strengthening the Pell Grant, supporting Minority-Serving Institutions, and fostering research and innovation.
“Let’s remember, higher education builds America,” he added. “Let’s talk about how.”
The first panel featured congressional staff discussing critical issues impacting higher education. Members on the opening panel, which included Republican and Democratic staff from the Senate and House appropriations committees, discussed the state of federal appropriations, the status of federal appropriations ahead of the March 14 deadline, and the reconciliation process, before fielding questions from presidents.
Panel moderated by ACE's Emmanual Guillory (at podium) at ACE on the Hill 2025.
Between panels, ACE's Jon Fansmith, senior vice president of Government Relations and National Engagement, updated attendees on the federal policy landscape and what to expect in the coming weeks and months. He encouraged presidents to stay engaged and advocate for higher education.
“This is the time to make your voices heard,” Fansmith told the presidents. “Your voices are very important.”
A second panel, comprised of Republican and Democratic staff on the House and Senate education committees, answered questions on a variety of issues including Congress’s higher education priorities, what college presidents should know about the policy process, and the value and perception of higher education. A lunchtime discussion specifically on tax issues and reconciliation closed out the morning’s programing.
“The morning’s sessions helped me develop a clearer understanding of the larger federal policy issues impacting higher education,” said Risa Dickson, University of La Verne president. “They left me with a stronger sense of what I need to do and how we in higher education can collaborate in our advocacy.”
ACE member presidents at ACE on the Hill 2025.
Building on the morning’s discussion and momentum, presidents spent the afternoon meeting with members of Congress to advocate for higher education, promote their institutions, and discuss their priorities.
"ACE on the Hill Day was wonderful and timely. It allowed us, as presidents and chancellors of colleges and universities, to learn from congressional staff about the inner workings of the budget process and how it will affect the higher education landscape," said Peter O. Nwosu, president of the State University of New York at Oswego. "We are in the trenches, preparing students with the vital tools and skills necessary to advance our democracy and economy. We are also preparing these students to make a difference in their communities after earning their degrees."
ACE’s Day on the Hill transitioned immediately into ACEx2025, the premier gathering of higher education leaders and experts exploring the sector’s evolving role in society—both now and in the future.