Learner Success Laboratory

About the Lab

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ACE’s Learner Success Lab is an inclusive​ learning community that integrates evidence-based practices for persistence and completion, life design and career exploration, and workforce skills development to assist participating institutions in developing a comprehensive strategy for learner success.

Vision

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, pressures from new economic realities, disruptive technologies, changing student populations, and a broader educational paradigm shift were already mounting. The pandemic has exposed existing inequities and created new challenges that demand resilient institutions that can adapt and innovate.

Institutional Transformation

The Learner Success Lab is a comprehensive change management process that facilitates continuous improvement through intentional transformation of institutional systems, processes, programs, and culture around learner success. This process is illustrated in the ACE Model for Comprehensive Learner Success.


Process
  • Lab engagement lasts about 18 months, with the following milestones during that time:
    • Fall Year 1: Cohort Introductory and Milestone 1 Meetings
    • Winter Year 1: Site visits with participating institutions
    • Spring Year 2: Cohort Milestone 2 Meeting
    • Fall Year 2: Cohort Milestone 3 Meeting
    • Winter Year 2: Peer reviewers visit participating institutions
    • Spring Year 3: ACE final report submitted to institution leadership
  • Institutions form a campus-wide learner success committee to:
    • Facilitate a review of existing activities and capacities related to learner success.
    • Analyze findings of the review through the lens of institutional mission. 
    • Draft a plan to integrate and focus activities, and build capacity for learner success.
  • ACE staff and expert ACE Lab advisors guide committee leaders through on-campus work:
    • Initial site visits with each institution to help prepare campuses for self-assessment and begin to outline key questions and issues.
    • A peer review visit, conducted toward the end of the process, allows for reflection and dialogue w​ith senior administrators and other campus leaders.
    • ​Regular contact throughout the Lab process, including monthly calls with committee leadership.
  • Committee leaders attend informal Lab Chat sessions (approximately monthly) and 4 synchronous cohort ​meetings.
    • Committee leaders also have access to asynchronous LSL learning modules and other exclusive resources.
Cohorts and Impact

The inaugural Learner Success Lab cohort launched in Fall 2020. New cohorts launch each fall. Expand the sections below to see our current and past LSL participants.

Elon University (NC)

Iowa State University

Labouré College (MA)

Massasoit Community College (MA)

Richard Bland College of William & Mary (VA)

Southeast Missouri State University

Union Institute & University (OH)

University of Hawaii-West Oahu

Western Oregon University

Windward Community College (HI)

Clarke University (IA)

​Southern University at Shreveport (LA)​

Rowan College at Burlington County (NJ)​

CETYS University (Mexicali, Mexico)

New Jersey City University​

Florida International University​

Western Illinois University​

Washington State University-Tri Cities​

Lewis University (IL)

​Impact Testimonials

Read more about the wide-ranging impact the Learner Success Laboratory continues to have on college and university campuses.

Experts

Lab Advisors

Gerardo L. Blanco
Associate Professor, Higher Education, and Academic Director, Center for International Higher Education, Boston College
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Gerardo L. Blanco - Associate Professor, Higher Education, and Academic Director, Center for International Higher Education, Boston College -
Gerardo L. Blanco
Associate Professor, Higher Education, and Academic Director, Center for International Higher Education, Boston College
Adam Bush
Provost, College Unbound
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Adam Bush - Provost, College Unbound -
Adam Bush
Provost, College Unbound
Mary Churchill
Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Community Engagement and Adjunct Professor, Wheelock College of Education and Human Development, Boston University, and Northeast Regional Liaison Coordinator, ACE Women’s Network Executive Council
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Mary Churchill - Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Community Engagement and Adjunct Professor, Wheelock College of Education and Human Development, Boston University, and Northeast Regional Liaison Coordinator, ACE Women’s Network Executive Council -
Mary Churchill
Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Community Engagement and Adjunct Professor, Wheelock College of Education and Human Development, Boston University, and Northeast Regional Liaison Coordinator, ACE Women’s Network Executive Council
Susan Lane
President Emerita, The New England Institute of Art
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Susan Lane - President Emerita, The New England Institute of Art -
Susan Lane
President Emerita, The New England Institute of Art
Elaine Maimon
President Emerita, Governors State University
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Elaine Maimon - President Emerita, Governors State University -
Elaine Maimon
President Emerita, Governors State University
Lyssa Palu-ay
Dean, Office of Justice, Equity and Transformation, Massachusetts College of Art and Design
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Lyssa Palu-ay - Dean, Office of Justice, Equity and Transformation, Massachusetts College of Art and Design -
Lyssa Palu-ay
Dean, Office of Justice, Equity and Transformation, Massachusetts College of Art and Design
Annette Parker
President, South Central College
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Annette Parker - President, South Central College -
Annette Parker
President, South Central College

Additional Experts

In December 2019, ACE convened the Learner Success Lab (LSL) Steering Committee, a diverse group of higher education leaders, to assist in developing and refining ACE's Model for Comprehensive Learner Success and related program materials. The LSL Steering Committee concluded its work with the successful launch of the LSL's pilot cohort in October 2020.​

Committee Members:

Gardner Carrick
Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, National Association of Manufacturers

John Fink
Senior Research Associate, Community College Research Center

Dallas Kratzer
Regional Education Coordinator, University of Charleston

Kevin Kruger
President, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators

Dane Linn
Vice President, Business Roundtable

Spencer Niles
Dean of Education, College of William & Mary

Sophia Norcott
Student, Southern New Hampshire University

Lynn Pasquerella
President, Association of American Colleges and Universities

Anthony Pinder
AVP of Academic Affairs - Internationalization & Global Engagement, Emerson College

Jose Rodriguez
Assistant Director of Recruitment, College Unbound

Pete Rogan
Director of Product Development, SOPHIA Learning

Yves Salomon-Fernandez
President, Greenfield Community College

Jason Tyszko
Vice President - Center for Education and Workforce, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Carlos Vargas
President, Southeast Missouri State University

Following the launch of the LSL's pilot cohort, ACE convened a group of subject matter experts to serve as thought partners in the ongoing development and evaluation of the LSL program. Members of the LSL Expert Working Group continue to provide valuable feedback, insights, and expertise.​

Working Group Members:

Farouk Dey
Vice Provost for Integrative Learning and Life Design, Johns Hopkins University

Tim Hogan
Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, Roadtrip Nation

Jenifer Kautzman
Associate Director, Transcripts and Learner Services, American Council on Education

Kevin Kruger
President, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators

Penny MacCormack
Chief Academic Officer, Association of College and University Educators

Lynn Pasquerella
President, Association of American Colleges and Universities

Kathe Pelletier
Director, Teaching and Learning Program, EDUCAUSE

Ashley Safranski
Director of Marketing for Higher Education, Emsi

Melody Schopp
Director, Education Industry Consulting, SAS

Jason Tyszko
Vice President - Center for Education and Workforce, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

 

Lab Impact Profiles

​Read how LSL alumni institutions were transformed by their experience. 

Massasoit Community College Focuses on Being Data-Informed and Student-Ready

Elon University Develops Holistic Mentoring Model

Union Institute & University Supports Post-Traditional and Distant Learner Success

​Western Oregon University Targets Affordability and Adult Learners Through the ACE Learner Success Lab​

Southeast Missouri State University Shapes a Forward-Looking​ Strategic Plan Through the ACE Learner Success Lab​


Transfo​​​rmation Labs

The Learner Success Laboratory is one of ACE's Transformation Labs. These labs guide colleges and universities through a structured strategic planning process to advance critical institutional priorities.


Support

This program is generously supported by Strada Education Network.

Strada Education Network logo ​​