ACE Transformation Labs

About the Labs

ACE Transformation Labs guide colleges and universities through a structured strategic planning process to advance critical institutional priorities. Building upon ACE's strategic focus areas, deep expertise, and extensive network of practitioners and scholars, Transformation Labs are designed to effect the organizational and cultural change needed for long-term success.

Each Lab features:

  • A 12- to 18-month engagement with ACE and cohort of peer institutions.
  • On-campus work including a review of current activities, analysis of strengths and opportunities, and formulation of an action plan.
  • Three in-person meetings of the full cohort, hosted by ACE.
  • Facilitated virtual networking, web chats, and other communication among the cohort on ACE Engage®.
  • Regular contact with and guidance from ACE advisers.
  • Access to customized resources and information to inform on-campus work and analysis.
Internationalization Laboratory

The Internationalization Laboratory provides customized guidance and insight to help colleges and universities achieve their internationalization goals. To date, more than 130 institutions have participated in the program.

Working closely with ACE experts, participating institutions:

  • Assemble an internationalization leadership team on campus.
  • Analyze current internationalization activities and articulate institutional goals.
  • Formulate a strategic action plan to take internationalization efforts forward.

Participating institutions also have access to:

  • On-campus site visits by ACE staff, involving a roundtable discussion with the leadership team and key stakeholders to facilitate dialogue, define key questions and issues, clarify goals, and build support for the internationalization process.
  • Three meetings of the entire Internationalization Laboratory cohort, hosted by ACE in Washington, DC.
  • Regular contact with and guidance from ACE advisers as the campus conducts its review, analyzes findings, and develops its action plan.

​Learn More
Learner Success Laboratory

With support from Strada Education Network, ACE is developing a Learner Success Lab (LSL) program that will guide institutions through a strategic planning process to maximize student persistence and completion and ensure that learners acquire the skills necessary for success in today's workforce. The LSL will enable colleges and universities to:

  • Develop and deliver high-quality learning experiences and credentials that align with competencies and skills for today's workforce.
  • Close equity gaps in key student outcomes specifically retention, persistence, and completion.

ACE is engaging an expert advisory committee to design the LSL, which is modeled on ACE's long-standing Internationalization Laboratory. The first LSL cohort will launch in fall 2020.
​

 
 
 

​Explore More

 Related
Convening
February 15, 2020
This year's Collaborative will highlight how higher education institutions are developing and incorporating socially responsible, inclusive, and civic-minded internationalization strategies on their campuses and in their international partnerships.
Read More
ACE/AIEA Internationalization Collaborative 2020
Convening
February 15, 2020
ACE/AIEA Internationalization Collaborative 2020
Member Spotlight
January 13, 2020
In Colorado, undocumented students—who cannot apply for most financial aid—now have at least one more option as they decide how to finance their degree.
Read More
Colorado Mountain College Creates Unique Tuition Assistance Program for DACA, Other Students
Member Spotlight
January 13, 2020
Colorado Mountain College Creates Unique Tuition Assistance Program for DACA, Other Students
Podcast
January 13, 2020
Philip Rogers and Sherri Hughes talk with Freeman A. Hrabowski III, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and Peter H. Henderson, senior advisor to the president, about UMBC’s unique approach to student success in STEM and beyond.
Read More
Engage Conversations: Freeman Hrabowski and Peter Henderson on UMBC’s Innovations in Student Success
Podcast
January 13, 2020
Engage Conversations: Freeman Hrabowski and Peter Henderson on UMBC’s Innovations in Student Success
News
January 10, 2020
Members of the steering committee for ACE’s new Learner Success Lab met for the first time last month to provide insight and guidance as the program takes form leading up to its launch next fall.
Read More
Learner Success Lab Takes Shape With Steering Committee Kickoff
News
January 10, 2020
Learner Success Lab Takes Shape With Steering Committee Kickoff
News
January 6, 2020
The ACE Internationalization Laboratory’s 2018-2020 Cohort held its closing meeting before the winter holidays to tie together a year-and-a-half of work.
Read More
Internationalization Lab Cohort 16 Wraps Up as Cohort 18 Opens Applications
News
January 6, 2020
Internationalization Lab Cohort 16 Wraps Up as Cohort 18 Opens Applications
News
January 6, 2020
In recent comments to USCIS, ACE and seven other higher education associations warned warned that the Trump administration’s proposed increases in immigration fees would “reinforce a troubling message” to international students and scholars.
Read More
Proposed Visa Fee Increases Would Discourage International Students and Scholars From Coming to the United States
News
January 6, 2020
Proposed Visa Fee Increases Would Discourage International Students and Scholars From Coming to the United States
News
January 2, 2020
U.S. Higher Education: A Brief Guide, a new publication by ACE, provides important information non-U.S. institutions need to pursue and develop successful partnerships with U.S. colleges and universities.
Read More
ACE Releases Handy Resource on Understanding U.S. Higher Education
News
January 2, 2020
ACE Releases Handy Resource on Understanding U.S. Higher Education
Podcast
December 23, 2019
Former Secretary of Education John B. King, now president and CEO of The Education Trust, talks about his passion for giving all learners, particularly those in poverty and prisons, access to higher education.
Read More
dotEDU Episode 12: Giving All Learners a Chance
Podcast
December 23, 2019
dotEDU Episode 12: Giving All Learners a Chance
News
December 16, 2019
A new ACE report examines different national higher education financing policies around the world and how they impact equity and attainment.
Read More
ACE Report Compares Higher Ed Funding Policies around the World
News
December 16, 2019
ACE Report Compares Higher Ed Funding Policies around the World