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.
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.
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.