Overview of ACEx2026: A Gathering for Higher Education's Future

The American Council on Education (ACE), a prominent organization advocating for colleges and universities across the United States, hosted its flagship event, the ACE Experience 2026 (ACEx2026), from February 25 to 28 in Washington, D.C., at the Grand Hyatt. This annual convening drew presidents, chancellors, administrators, and policymakers to address pressing challenges reshaping higher education. Themes centered on rebuilding public trust, navigating technological shifts, adapting to demographic changes, and reinforcing the sector's economic contributions amid political turbulence.

Attendees engaged in the ACE Annual Meeting, ACE on the Hill advocacy sessions, and specialized gatherings like the Women's Network Leadership Conference. Leaders reflected on how institutions can demonstrate value through innovation and resilience. As Ted Mitchell, ACE President, emphasized, the event was a call to 'seize this moment' and inspire action. Discussions highlighted the need for higher education to evolve in response to artificial intelligence (AI), stringent visa policies affecting international students, and broader sector disruptions like enrollment declines and policy uncertainties.

With over 1,000 participants, ACEx2026 provided a platform for candid exchanges. Panels and keynotes featured insights from figures like Freeman A. Hrabowski III, president emeritus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, who underscored higher education's role as a public good, and Nicholas Kent, Under Secretary of Education, who stressed accountability in student outcomes and campus climates.

🤖 Integrating AI Across Curricula: Strategies from Stanford and Elon Leaders

Artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI tools capable of creating text, code, and images, has accelerated into higher education classrooms and administrative offices. At ACEx2026, panelists warned that AI is not just a tool but a transformative force demanding curriculum redesign. Carissa Little, associate dean for global and online education at Stanford University's school of engineering, shared that computer science enrollment dropped 20% this year, attributing it to tech industry layoffs and fewer software development jobs as AI automates routine coding tasks.

Connie Book, president of Elon University, advocated embedding AI literacy throughout programs rather than isolating it in new majors. 'You wouldn’t have a major on the internet, right? But I think every curriculum is going to embed generative AI and how that impacts whatever sector they’re in,' she stated. This approach prepares students for AI-augmented workplaces by teaching ethical use, critical evaluation of AI outputs, and sector-specific applications, such as AI in healthcare diagnostics or legal research.

Liberal arts disciplines emerged as surprisingly resilient. Book noted that skills in philosophy, ethics, problem-solving, and history are revitalized in an AI era, where humans must interpret AI-generated insights and navigate biases. Institutions are piloting 'AI-infused' general education, focusing on competencies like data literacy and adaptive thinking. For faculty transitioning, actionable steps include professional development workshops on prompt engineering—the art of crafting effective AI queries—and collaborative redesign of syllabi to incorporate AI as a learning partner.

• Assess current curricula for AI vulnerabilities, such as plagiarism risks in writing courses.
• Partner with industry for real-world AI case studies, enhancing employability.
• Develop micro-credentials in AI ethics to attract nontraditional learners.

Sessions also explored AI's role in administrative efficiency, like predictive analytics for student retention, but cautioned against over-reliance without human oversight.

Addressing Visa Restrictions: Mitigating International Enrollment Declines

Tightening visa policies under recent federal directives have sparked widespread concern, with 65% of college presidents in an ACE survey expressing moderate to extreme worry over immigration restrictions and visa revocations. These measures, aimed at national security, have led to a 17% drop in new international enrollments this fall, according to the Institute of International Education's Open Doors report analyzing data from 828 institutions.

Connie Book highlighted the vulnerability: 'If you rely on international students as the primary driver of your enrollment strategy, you are vulnerable.' International students, who contribute over $40 billion annually to the U.S. economy and fill critical STEM gaps, face delays in F-1 and J-1 visas, leading to lost revenue and diversity. Christopher Hopey, president of Merrimack University, foresaw a potential 'brain drain' as talented graduates from fields like engineering opt for countries with friendlier policies, but predicted reversals: 'The government will wake up and realize, “Oh my gosh, we can’t find employees.”'

Practical responses include diversifying recruitment to domestic nontraditional students and advocating via platforms like ACE on the Hill. Universities are enhancing support services, such as immigration advising and SEVIS compliance training, to retain existing students. Long-term, leaders urged building alliances with alumni networks abroad and exploring hybrid programs to bypass travel barriers. For more on global opportunities, check international higher ed jobs.

To learn about economic impacts, explore the ACE Pulse Point survey.

Photo by sahil prajapati on Unsplash

Navigating Demographic Shifts and Nontraditional Learners

The 'enrollment cliff'—a projected downturn in traditional college-age students due to declining birth rates post-2008—looms large, with the college-going rate at 62% in 2022, down 4 points from a decade prior. Hopey challenged rigid systems: 'We’re the only business I can think of that keeps people out… Is that a public good anymore?' Panelists called for flexibility to serve working adults, caregivers, and career-switchers.

Carissa Little promoted stackable credentials and modular courses allowing pauses for life events. Merrimack and Elon are expanding online and evening options, partnering with employers for tuition reimbursement. Data shows nontraditional students (over 25, part-time) comprise 70% of undergraduates, yet many drop out due to barriers like childcare.

• Implement prior learning assessments to credit workforce experience.
• Offer competency-based education, advancing students by mastery, not seat time.
• Target marketing to underserved groups via community college pathways.

These strategies not only boost enrollment but align with workforce needs, positioning institutions for sustainability.

📊 Demonstrating Economic Value and Rebuilding Trust

A dedicated session, 'Voices on Value,' showcased ACE’s Economic Impact of Higher Education in America tool, revealing how colleges drive jobs, innovation, and resilience. Panelists like José Luis Cruz Rivera of Northern Arizona University urged leaders to quantify contributions—e.g., alumni earnings, patents filed—to sway policymakers. The reimagined Carnegie Classifications spotlighted 478 'Opportunity Institutions' excelling in access and outcomes.

Amid trust erosion from political critiques, speakers like Tom Stritikus of Occidental College emphasized gratitude and public storytelling. The #HigherEdBuildsAmerica campaign invites submissions of success stories. For policy navigation, Jon Fansmith of ACE advocated partnerships over confrontation. Details at ACEx2026 economic session summary.

Leadership Lessons and Policy Horizons

Keynotes blended inspiration with pragmatism. Hrabowski rallied for collective inspiration, while Kent focused on accountability reforms like loan caps and accreditation tweaks. Sessions on authoritarianism and AI security urged proactive ethics frameworks. Women’s Network addressed inequities, preparing for policy shifts.

Emerging trends include unbundled learning—short, targeted modules via platforms like Coursera—and lifelong learning pathways. Institutions succeeding invest in data-driven agility.

Photo by Trần Văn Sơn on Unsplash

Key Takeaways and Paths Forward

ACEx2026 affirmed higher education's pivotal role amid disruptions. Leaders must embed AI ethically, diversify beyond international reliance, embrace nontraditional students, and amplify economic narratives. Actionable advice: audit programs for AI readiness, join advocacy coalitions, and pilot flexible models.

For those in academia, rate my professor platforms offer peer insights, while higher ed jobs listings showcase adaptive roles. Aspiring leaders can access higher ed career advice, university jobs, and recruitment resources. Share your perspectives in the comments below—your voice shapes the conversation. Explore panel details in this Higher Ed Dive recap.