National Association of Colleges and Employers
NACE advocates on behalf of its membership and the profession on issues related to the career development and employment of the college educated work force. Through its efforts, the association works to educate members regarding legislative and regulatory matters that may impact the profession, and advocates before governmental officials and the public for outcomes that best support the interests of NACE members and the profession.
Failure to engage maintains the status quo and can even result in a loss of resources (budget cuts) or the creation of federal policies that negatively impact your work.
Policymakers are not experts on every issue. They depend on the experience and expertise of their constituents to help them make informed decisions and create positive change.
See our advocacy and policy phliosophy and assessment tool.
Lobbying is one form of advocacy, comprising efforts to influence specific legislation with legislators and their staff.
Advocacy covers a much broader range of activities such as influencing executive branch actions to implement the laws and public education.
One way of differentiating between the two terms is to understand that lobbying always involves advocacy but advocacy does not necessarily involve lobbying.
Provide resources, toolkits, and trainings for members
Research-based content submission
Campaign, e.g., write op-eds, run social media campaigns
Write position and policy statements
Participate in coalitions (ACE; WHES)
Meet with government officials
Participate in and organize public sessions
Letter and position statement sign-ons
Lobby and work to pass legislation
Set up meetings with government officials for members
Organize and lead coalitions
The Advocacy Advisory Committee takes the lead in identifying core issues for the profession; educates members regarding legislative and/or regulatory matters that may impact the profession; and advocates before governmental officials and the public for outcomes that best support the interests of NACE members and the profession. This includes issues of equity and inclusion in higher education, the workplace, and workforce development.
The Advocacy Advisory Committee considers issues of importance and advises on such issues to the membership. The committee ensures the association is appropriately representing the membership in legislative affairs and determines appropriate ways to communicate on behalf of and to the membership. Where needed, the committee will evaluate, and if appropriate, recommend positions and/or action on significant unanticipated issues brought by the membership.
Learn more about NACE's advocacy priorities for higher ed and employment policies, legislation, and regulations.
Pell Grants
Increased support for two-year colleges
Internships
Classroom to Careers Act
College Transparency Act
DACA Legislative Solution
International Student Status and Processing
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
Pay Equity
NACE and other higher education associations have asked the U.S. Department of Education to further extend the deadline for FVT and GE reporting requirements.
In light of the delays with the FAFSA process, NACE and other higher education associations have asked the U.S. Department of Education to delay some reporting requirements.
NACE joined with the American Council on Education and other higher education associations in providing comments to the Department of Homeland Security on a proposed rule aimed at modernizing the H-1B visa process.
NACE joined with the American Council on Education and other higher education associations in supporting the Federal Communications Commissions’ Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for securing and safeguarding the open internet.
More than 25 higher education associations, including the National Association of Colleges and Employers, urged U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to make permanent the authority to waive the in-person interview requirements for certain nonimmigrant visa applicants.
NACE joined with the CUPA-HR and nearly 50 other higher education associations in providing comments to the Department of Labor (DOL) about the proposed overtime rules. The letter notes that many campus employees are currently exempt from the overtime pay requirements of Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which DOL proposes to change.
NACE joined with the American Council on Education and other higher education associations in requesting an extension to the comment period for proposed changes in overtime pay exemptions for executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, and computer employees.
As a member of the Student Aid Alliance, The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) joined other associations and organizations in asking for robust budget support for federal student aid in FY2025.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), as part of the Washington Higher Education Secretariat, expressed support for increased access to online platforms for those with a disability.
In a letter to the chair and ranking members of U.S. House Committee on Appropriations, NACE joined with other higher ed associations to express concern about proposed funding levels for FY2024 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies funding bill.
