Louis
Soares, a nationally recognized expert in higher education policy and
innovation, is assuming a new role at ACE overseeing organizational
strategy and advancement initiatives.
Nationally renowned for his work on post-traditional learners and
higher education innovation, Soares joined ACE in 2013 as a vice
president in charge of the Council’s Center for Policy Research and Strategy.
With his promotion to Vice President for Strategy, Research and
Advancement, Soares will explore new approaches to working with
investing partners to advance the resilience and future of the higher
education sector.
“In his new role, Louis leverages decades of experience in forging
partnerships with the corporate and philanthropic communities,” said ACE
President Molly Corbett Broad. “Louis is one of the most innovative and
insightful leaders in higher education. His passion is infectious and
ACE is fortunate to have him lead us in these new directions.”
Soares has more than 20 years of experience in postsecondary
education policy and practice and is responsible for further positioning
ACE as a thought leader on emerging trends in higher education. While
at ACE, he has spearheaded several initiatives and published two
landmark papers, Post-traditional Learners and the Transformation of Postsecondary Education (142 KB PDF), and Evolving Higher Education Business Models (2 MB PDF).
Soares has also developed and successfully implemented projects with
support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lumina Foundation,
Russell Sage Foundation, TIAA Institute, ACT, Verizon Foundation, Fleet
Bank, CVS, Bank of America, the U.S. Department of Education and the
U.S. Department of Labor.
Reflecting ACE’s core commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion,
Soares’ expanded body of work will include a focus on promoting new and
innovative ways to ensure postsecondary access and success for racial,
ethnic and minority students in particular, employing coordinated
efforts of business, philanthropic and other stakeholders working in
tandem with college and university leaders.
As part of his work overseeing all of ACE’s strategic alliances, he
will also play a major role as the Council pursues new, innovative
directions leading up to ACE's centennial celebration in 2018.
“Nearing its 100th anniversary, ACE is looking toward a future of
mission-driven, innovative and financially resilient colleges and
universities that provide quality and affordable higher education
serving diverse learners, regional communities, a thriving nation and a
globalizing world,” Soares said. “It is an honor to work in service of
this vision with all interested stakeholders and partners."
Prior to coming to ACE, Soares served as the director of the
postsecondary education program and fellow at the Center for American
Progress (CAP), a premier Washington, DC-based think tank. Prior to CAP,
he served as director of business/workforce development under Rhode
Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri and as director of education
partnerships for the Rhode Island Technology Council. Soares was
appointed by then Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to serve on the
National Board of the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary
Education from 2011-14.