The ACE Commission on Faith-Based Colleges and Universities

About the Commission

The ACE Commission on Faith-Based Colleges and Universities was created to increase visibility for the important contributions of religious and faith-based colleges and universities and to foster collaboration between religious and nonreligious institutions on topics such as access, affordability, and completion that benefit the whole of higher education.

To coordinate the efforts on this commission, Ted Mitchell, president of ACE, invited Shirley V. Hoogstra, then president (now president emerita) of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, and Clark G. Gilbert, commissioner of the Church Educational System of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to serve as the inaugural chairs. Hoogstra and Gilbert worked closely with ACE to establish the commission. In addition to the chairs, an initial executive committee—composed of presidents from a range of institutions—was formed to help steer the commission’s efforts.

Executive Committee

CHAIR

Clark G. Gilbert, Commissioner, Church Educational System, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

VICE CHAIR

David Hoag, President, The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities

MEMBERS

Robin Baker, President, George Fox University (OR)
Gayle D. Beebe, President, Westmont College (CA)
Ari Berman, President and Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshiva University (NY)
Donna M. Carroll, President, Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities
Robert A. Dowd, President, University of Notre Dame (IN)
Jim Gash, President and Chief Executive Officer, Pepperdine University (CA)
Peter K. Kilpatrick, President, The Catholic University of America (DC)
D. Michael Lindsay, President, Taylor University (IN)
Thayne M. McCulloh, President Emeritus, Gonzaga University (WA)
Candice McQueen, President, Lipscomb University (TN)
Deana L. Porterfield, Seattle Pacific University
C. Shane Reese, President, Brigham Young University (UT)
Philip G. Ryken, President, Wheaton College (IL)
Debra A. Schwinn, President, Palm Beach Atlantic University (FL)
Beck A. Taylor, President and Professor of Economics, Samford University (AL)
Dwaun J. Warmack, President, Claflin University (SC)

Connect with Us

Gailda Pitre Davis

Executive Director

ACE Connect

Gailda Pitre Davis serves as the executive director of ACE Connect. In this capacity, she leads ACE’s community engagement strategy with a focus on collective impact to transform higher education. Through ACE Connect, Davis helps communities to con...

Gailda Pitre Davis

Executive Director

ACE Connect

Lachone Fuquay

Senior Program Manager, Business Operations

ACE Connect

Lachone Fuquay is senior program manager of business operations for Community Strategy and Engagement, American Council on Education (ACE). During her tenure career at ACE, Fuquay has served in various capacities, including assistant director, program...

Lachone Fuquay

Senior Program Manager, Business Operations

ACE Connect

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DISCLAIMER:

*HIGHER ed: The Power of Faith-Inspired Learning is an independent production and is not produced by or affiliated with the American Council on Education (ACE). The views and content expressed within the documentary are solely those of its creators and do not necessarily reflect the positions of ACE.

Registration Now Open: 2026 Convening of Faith-Based Colleges and Universities

Join us on Monday, June 8, 2026, for a special convening hosted by ACE’s Commission on Faith-Based Colleges and Universities. We are bringing together leaders to discuss this year’s theme: Learning to Disagree Better—What Faith-Based Colleges and Universities Can Bring to the National Dialogue. 

The conversation will explore how our institutions can foster constructive national discourse. A reception will follow.

Please contact summits@acenet.edu if you have any questions.

Nominations

Nominations for the executive committee and questions about the commission can be sent to Gailda Pitre Davis, executive director, ACE Connect, at gdavis@acenet.edu.

2025 Convening and Exclusive Film Screening

The ACE Commission on Faith-Based Colleges and Universities convened on June 9, 2025 in Washington, DC. The event included invitation-only morning sessions for presidents and a public afternoon program featuring a keynote address and an exclusive documentary screening of HIGHER ed: The Power of Faith-Inspired Learning.*

Please contact summits@acenet.edu if you have any questions.

View Trailer

Important News Coverage

New Commission on Faith-Based Institutions Launched
Inside Higher Ed

The Embrace of Faith and Reason
Deseret News

How Faith-Based Colleges Are Saving a Generation in Crisis
Deseret News

Higher Education’s Enduring Strength Is Its Willingness to Change
Deseret News

School Presidents Celebrate the Value of Faith-Based Higher Education
Deseret News

Q&A: U.S. Faith-Based Colleges and Universities Grow
U.S. News & World Report

How Faith-Based Higher Education Can Best Serve Society Is Focus of Symposium
OSV News

Federal Court Protects Schools’ Freedom to Offer Faith-Based Education
Becket Fund for Religious Liberty

Faith Under Fire: How Trump’s ‘Beautiful Bill’ Targets Christian Education
Fox News