​Jon Riskind serves as executive director of public affairs and policy communications at the American Council on Education (ACE). He oversees ACE’s Office of Public Affairs, spearheads the media outreach strategy for the Council and its leaders, and helps shape ACE’s policy communications effort. In this role, Riskind works to maintain and enhance the Council’s presence as a top source for the media and policymakers on higher education issues and policy. He also directs efforts to promote the importance and visibility of ACE programs, research, and events through the press and ACE’s communications channels, such as the Higher Education and National Affairs newsletter and dotEDU Live.

Riskind works in partnership with ACE Government Relations and National Engagement staff on the development and implementation of advocacy communications to the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. As part of that work, he helps plan and execute regional and national strategies highlighting ACE advocacy stands and programs.

Riskind arrived at ACE in April 2012 after a career in journalism. He was a longtime reporter and Washington bureau chief for The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio), where he covered Congress, the White House, federal agencies, and state and national political campaigns and was the recipient of numerous journalism awards. Prior to joining ACE, he served as Washington bureau chief for a group of papers in Maine, including The Portland Press Herald. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Macalester College (MN) and is a native of Chicago.