Higher Education Builds America

Our nation faces numerous challenges, such as growing economic and military competition abroad and a rapidly evolving economy that requires new ways of learning and working. The key to unlocking America’s potential lies in strengthening and utilizing our world-leading colleges and universities. This is because of one simple truth: Higher education builds America.

However, to make effective change at the local and national level, we need your help. Join ACE in this campaign by becoming a member, sharing the #higheredbuildsamerica message, or attending the ACE Experience 2025 and have change-inducing conversations in person.

 
Policy Options

ACE leads the higher education community to advance the fundamental principles of higher education. These principles emphasize access and success; the pursuit of knowledge; and the enrichment of the civic, democratic, and economic vibrancy of the United States.

ACE 2025 Legislative and Regulatory Agenda
ACE 2025 Legislative and Regulatory Agenda
ACE's division of Government Relations and National Engagement's federal legislative and regulatory agenda for FY 2025 focuses on four key areas.
SAA Urges Administration to Boost Student Aid in FY 2026
September 30, 2024
SAA Urges Administration to Boost Student Aid in FY 2026
The Student Aid Alliance is asking the administration to provide robust increases for federal student aid in its FY 2026 budget proposal.
Listen to dotEDU

dotEDU Live: What Trump’s Win and a New Congress Mean for Higher Education

In this special post-election episode recorded on November 6, ACE President Ted Mitchell joined hosts Jon Fansmith, Sarah Spreitzer, and Mushtaq Gunja to discuss the 2024 election results and their implications for higher education. With Donald Trump returning to the White House, the conversation explores critical issues facing colleges and universities, including efforts to abolish the Department of Education, the potential reissuance of the Trump travel ban and immigration policies affecting international students, the future of the latest Title IX rule and other federal regulations, DEI initiatives, and more. (​​​​​​​​​​​Aired November 7, 2024)

Webinars

In response to an increasingly complicated environment for higher education, ACE's Office on National Engagement developed a webinar series aimed at strengthening critical engagement between higher education and its state governments, communities, and residents. Each webinar brings together a panel of experts to explore ways that higher education institutions build America by contributing in their communities and discuss why fostering local connections is critical to the future of postsecondary education.

Advancing Higher Education in Our States: The Case for Engagement
April 8, 2024
Advancing Higher Education in Our States: The Case for Engagement
This is the first webinar in the Advancing Higher Education in Our States series, which is designed to strengthen engagement between higher education and its community. Local connections are critical to the future of postsecondary education.
Growing Business Leaders and Societal Problem-Solvers
May 22, 2024
Growing Business Leaders and Societal Problem-Solvers
This is the second webinar in the Advancing Higher Education in Our States series. A panel will discuss the state of business education; state-based policy challenges to diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education; and more.

In The News​ACE's Nick Anderson spoke with Marjorie Malpiede of LearningWell on working with the incoming administration and why "higher education isn’t going anywhere."

Read the full conversation between Nick Anderson and Sara Weissman of Inside Higher Ed about why ACE ran a full-page open letter in The New York Times to make this point: Higher education builds America.


Higher Education & National Affairs

To learn more about how ACE’s work helps higher education build America, sign up to receive the weekly Higher Education & National Affairs email newsletter.​​​

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