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.

Career Development and Readiness

Ensuring career services and career development programs across education and workforce systems.  This includes the integration of career readiness in educational curricula, co-curricular activities and through workforce development and talent management programs.

Skills-Based Education and Hiring

Building educational experiences, training programs, and hiring practices that emphasize skills building and knowledge acquisition that are practical and transferable, including competency development, articulation and assessment.

Experiential Education and Learning

Promoting and expanding experiential learning opportunities to provide for career exploration and to meet the demands of the labor market. This includes expanded work-based learning programs, paid internships, practicums, apprenticeships, project-based learning, credential obtainment, and continued education.

Global Talent

Expanding pathways and opportunities for global talent to participate in and contribute to our education-to-work pipelines.

Affordable Education

Ensuring that post-secondary education and training is accessible and affordable for all learners.

NACE Position Statements

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. NACE, Higher Ed Associations Express Concern Over Proposed Cuts in Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill

    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.

  5. NACE Joins Higher Ed Associations in Asking Congressional Committees to Streamline SNAP Requirements for College Students Facing Food Insecurity

    In a letter to the chairs and ranking members of U.S. House and U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, NACE and other higher ed urged the officials to streamline SNAP requirements to make benefits more accessible to college students struggling with food insecurity.

  6. NACE Joins Other Higher Ed Associations in Comments to DOE About Third Party Servicers and Institutions

    NACE joined other higher ed associations to provide comments to the U.S. Department of Education regarding the department’s Dear Colleague Letter about third-party servicers and institutions.

  7. Position Statement: The Critical Importance of Institutional First-Destination/Post-Graduation Surveys

    NACE expects that all higher education institutions will assess the career and employment outcomes for their graduates though a first-destination/post-graduation survey.

  8. Unpaid Internships And The Need For Federal Action

    This paper examines the characteristics of a legitimate internship and the conditions under which such an experience can be engaged on an unpaid basis.

  9. NACE Position Statement: Tax Reform

    In this position statement sent to Congressional leadership, NACE explains its opposition to the elimination of Section 117(d) of the tax code.

  10. NACE Joins HE Associations in Supporting the Dream and Promise Act of 2019

    NACE joined with more than 35 other higher education associations in March 2019 to support H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act of 2019.