What is Advocacy?

Advocacy is the process of educating and persuading people to support an issue or cause.

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.

Why is Advocacy important?

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. 

How Does NACE Determine Issues for Advocacy?

See our advocacy and policy phliosophy and assessment tool.

The U.S. Capitol.

Lobbying vs Advocacy

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.

How we currently advocate

Our Focus

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

Not Our Focus

Lobby and work to pass legislation

Set up meetings with government officials for members

Organize and lead coalitions

NACE Advocacy Committee 

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.

Process & Proceedings

  • Monthly meetings
  • Written and oral public policy updates are provided during each meeting
  • Deep dive discussions related to public policy issues
  • Advocacy Action Team to deliberate and weigh in on NACE's response to sign-ons

NACE Policy Priorities

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 Position Statements

  1. NACE Joins Other Associations to Call for Reform, Simplification of Higher Ed Tax Credits

    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. 

  2. NACE, Higher Ed Associations Ask DOE for Additional Time for Reporting on FVT and GE

    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. 

  3. NACE, Higher Ed Associations Ask DOE for Delay in Reporting Related to FVT and GE

    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. 

  4. NACE Joins With Higher Ed Associations to Provide Comments on Proposed H-1B Rule

    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. 

  5. NACE, ACE, and Other Higher Ed Associations Support FCC’s Proposed Rulemaking for Safeguarding Open Internet

    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.

  6. Higher Ed Associations Urge State Department to Make Waiver Authority Permanent for Certain Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants

    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. 

  7. NACE Joins CUPA-HR, Other Higher Ed Associations in Comments to DOL About Overtime Rules

    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.  

  8. NACE, ACE, and Other Higher Ed Associations Request Extension to Comment Period for Overtime Rules

    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.

  9. NACE Joins Other Higher Ed Associations in Asking OMB, Department of Education to Support Student Federal Aid

    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.

  10. NACE, Higher Ed Associations Support Increased Access to Online Platforms for Those With Disabilities

    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.