National Engagement

About Our Office

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The American Council on Education (ACE) launched the National Engagement Office in response to the growing trend of state-based policies that impact public institutions and the national discourse on the value of higher education. This marks a significant shift in ACE's advocacy strategy, emphasizing a state-by-state approach to advancing n​ational priorities.

​As the major coordinating body for the nation’s colleges and universities, ACE established the National Engagement initiative within ACE’s hallmark Division of Government Relations to ensure seamless coordination between our federal and state efforts. The initiative focuses on building a nationwide infrastructure that empowers our member institutions with the resources, strategies, and knowledge to drive meaningful, sustainable change at the state level. This portfolio of state-focused initiatives strengthens ACE's mission to lead higher education with a united vision for the future, empowering our members to take action.

Our Partners

National Engagement engages in network building to address the most pressing state policy issues in higher education. These initiatives support coalition efforts that seek to advance solutions that address student access and success, campus health, academic freedom and institutional autonomy, and strategic state policy development. The National Engagement office fosters partnerships and alignments between member institutions as well as communities adjacent to postsecondary education with the shared mission of advancing the value of higher education in our states. These include issue-based state policy consortiums and leadership in coalitions such as the Freedom to Learn Network.​​​​​​

State News and Research

​National Engagement provides timely and up to date resources for our members and policymakers across the country. The office regularly updates resources to offer insights on student success, institutional autonomy, governance, workforce development, and financial aid.

La​st updated: April 8, 2025​

Publication/Organization:
Lumina Foundation
Resource Type:
Tools and Case Studies

​The Lumina Foundation outlines a new goal for postsecondary credentials in the United States.​

Filter by topic:
Student Access and Success, Economic and Workforce Development
Publication/Organization:
Alabama Political Reporter
Resource Type:
Media and Statements

​​Alabama leaders discuss how their state is enhancing workforce development through apprenticeship programs.​

Filter by topic:
Economic and Workforce Development
Publication/Organization:
Council on Higher Education As A Strategic Asset
Resource Type:
Tools and Case Studies, Research and Evidence

​​​​​

Filter by topic:
Economic and Workforce Development, Governance
Publication/Organization:
EdNC
Resource Type:
Media and Statements

​​​​​

Filter by topic:
Student Access and Success, Economic and Workforce Development
Publication/Organization:
Hechinger Report
Resource Type:
Media and Statements

​Community colleges are ​forming partnerships to train employees ​​

Filter by topic:
Economic and Workforce Development
Publication/Organization:
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
Resource Type:
Media and Statements

​​

Filter by topic:
Student Access and Success, Economic and Workforce Development
Publication/Organization:
Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
Resource Type:
Tools and Case Studies, Research and Evidence

​​​​

Filter by topic:
Student Access and Success, Economic and Workforce Development, Governance
Publication/Organization:
National Center for Institutional Diversity, University of Michigan
Resource Type:
Research and Evidence

​​

Filter by topic:
Institutional Autonomy and Academic Freedom
Publication/Organization:
The Institute for College Access and Success
Resource Type:
Tools and Case Studies, Research and Evidence

​Dr. Nicholas Hillman explores the availability of Broad Access Institutions across the country.​​

Filter by topic:
Student Access and Success, Governance
Publication/Organization:
The American Association of Colleges and Universities
Resource Type:
Media and Statements

​​​​

Filter by topic:
Institutional Autonomy and Academic Freedom
Publication/Organization:
Education Commission of the States
Resource Type:
Tools and Case Studies

​​

Filter by topic:
Student Access and Success
Publication/Organization:
State Higher Education Executive Officers Association
Resource Type:
Tools and Case Studies, Research and Evidence

​A review of state and system-level ​policy across the U.S. from winter 2025​

Filter by topic:
Student Access and Success, Financial Aid, Economic and Workforce Development
Publication/Organization:
Council of Graduate Schools
Resource Type:
Tools and Case Studies

​​

Filter by topic:
Student Access and Success, Institutional Autonomy and Academic Freedom
Publication/Organization:
Public News Service
Resource Type:
Media and Statements

Leadership from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission discusses state college attainment goals.

Filter by topic:
Student Access and Success, Financial Aid
Publication/Organization:
Center for Higher Education Policy and Practice
Resource Type:
Tools and Case Studies, Research and Evidence

​​

Filter by topic:
Student Access and Success
Our Work
DEI Map April 2025
DEI Map April 2025
ACE has tracked state restrictions on diversity, equity, and inclusion policy and practice in higher education. This map details proposed, failed, and enacted legislation on DEI restrictions and restrictions handed down from statewide boards of higher ...
What Is Accreditation?
February 25, 2024
What Is Accreditation?
What are the two types of higher education accreditation? This infographic breaks it down and answers frequently asked questions.
Making the Case for Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy in a Challenging Political Environment: A Resource Guide for Campus Leaders
February 23, 2023
Making the Case for Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy in a Challenging Political Environment: A Resource Guide for Campus Leaders
From ACE and PEN America, a resource guide on how campus leaders can address the rising trend of policymakers taking steps to restrict the presentation and discussion of topics such as race, gender, American history, and LGBTQ+ identities.
Latest News
Strengthening Higher Education: How States Can Lead Amidst Federal Uncertainty
May 19, 2025
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. ET
Strengthening Higher Education: How States Can Lead Amidst Federal Uncertainty
Join us for a webinar in collaboration with the Brookings Institution—part of our ongoing efforts to highlight how Higher Education Builds America. We will explore the current landscape of state higher education policy and more.
State of the States: How Higher Ed Can Build Its Future
June 27, 2024
State of the States: How Higher Ed Can Build Its Future
In this episode, Katharine Meyer of Brookings and ACE’s Heidi Tseu join Jon Fansmith to delve into the complex landscape of state higher education governance.
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.
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.
ACE Launches Office on National Engagement
September 11, 2023
ACE Launches Office on National Engagement
Responding to an increasingly complicated environment for higher education, ACE has created an Office on National Engagement to influence public debates on the role and value of postsecondary education.
 

​Beyo​nd the Culture Wars

The Real Story of State Policy and College Campuses

By Heidi Tseu and Katharine Meyer
Higher Education Today | Sept. 6, 2024

read the post

Higher Education & The Trump Transition​

This page organizes key actions under the Trump administration by topic area. Each section highlights executive orders, agency guidance, and ACE responses to help institutions track developments, assess risk, and prepare for continued disruption.​

resou​​rces

Higher Education Builds America​

The key to unlocking America’s potential is strengthening our world-leading colleges and universities because higher education builds America.​

Learn​ More​

State Mental Health T​oolkit​​​​

This toolkit provides knowledge and resources to help campus leaders, staff, and students advocate for increased state support and funding for college student mental health.

​​download toolkit (PDF)