Strategic planning at ACE: Guiding a venerable institution forward into a new century

Presidency, The, Winter 2003 by Ward, David

The key elements of the ACE strategic plan are:

Core Values. ACE values inclusiveness and diversity, recognizes higher education's responsibility to society, and embraces the belief that widespread access to excellent postsecondary educational opportunities is the cornerstone of a democratic society. Vision. ACE aims to foster greater collaboration and new partnerships within and outside the higher education community to help colleges and universities anticipate and address the challenges of the 21st century and contribute to a stronger nation and a better world.

Mission. ACE, the major coordinating body for all the nation's higher education institutions, seeks to provide leadership and a unifying voice on key higher education issues and influence public policy through advocacy, research, and program initiatives.

These three elements-core values, vision, and mission-are essential to any sound strategic plan. For ACE, they show that we remain committed to our historic principles of access, diversity, and quality. At the same time, we know these historic principles must now be framed within the context of the 21st century, a marketplace for higher education that is greatly influenced by new realities of demographic change, technological innovation, increased globalization, and new opportunities for lifelong learning.

Beyond the three fundamental elements, the plan also outlines specific strategic priorities for the organization:

* Representation. Serve as the principal advocate and voice for all of higher education, influencing the federal agenda, state policy, and public opinion.

* Leadership Development. Enhance the diversity and capacity of American higher education leaders.

* Service. Support colleges, universities, and other higher education and adult learner organizations in their efforts to serve students and society.

These priorities are the signposts that point the way toward fulfilling ACE's core values, mission, and vision. We will continue as one of the principal advocates for higher education in the policy arena. We will harness our wellestablished leadership initiatives to nurture excellence and diversity among the future generation of leaders. Finally, we have demonstrated the importance we place on the high-quality service we intend to provide to our member institutions by listing it among our highest priorities as an organization.

Further fleshing out the strategic priorities are specific areas of focus in which ACE will pursue new programs and initiatives:

Access, Success, Equity, and Diversity. Programs to foster greater diversity among higher education leaders, faculty, and students, and to support postsecondary educational opportunities and favorable outcomes for all.

* Institutional Effectiveness. Programs to enhance the capacity of colleges and universities in their efforts to serve students and society.

* Lifelong Learning. Programs to ensure the validity of nontraditional learning and promote adult access to and success in postsecondary education and the workforce.