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 Staff Present First-Destination Survey Processes, Results at 2016 AIR Forum

    NACE staff members Edwin Koc and Matthew Brink presented on the NACE First-Destination Survey initiative to members of the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) at the AIR Forum 2016 in May. Processes for collecting and reporting data, implementation, and preliminary outcomes for the Class of 2015 are among the items shared at the presentations. The forum draws approximately 2,000 AIR members.

  2. NACE Staff Discuss Career ReadinessWith Higher Ed Association Leaders

    NACE staff members Matthew Brink and Ed Koc discussed career readiness with leaders from two higher education associations in April 2016.

  3. NACE Comments on Higher Education Act

    In August 2013, in response to the request for comments about the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA), NACE provided its observations and perspectives to the Education and Workforce Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives.

  4. NACE Provides Senate HELP Committee With Comments on Higher Education Affordability Act

    In August 2014, NACE Executive Director Marilyn Mackes provided comments to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions regarding the Higher Education Affordability Act.

  5. NACE Response to DOE on New System of College Ratings

    In February 2015, NACE responded the Department of Education’s call for comments on the DOE’s new system of college ratings.

  6. NACE Provides Comments on Reauthorization of America COMPETES Act

    In August, NACE Executive Director Marilyn Mackes provided the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with comments on the Reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act on behalf of the association.

  7. Fall 2017: NACE Staff Meet With Public Policy and Higher Ed Leaders

    In September 2017, NACE staff met with public policy leaders in Washington, DC, to discuss higher education and work-related issues.

  8. Winter/Spring 2018: NACE Representatives Meet With Public Policy and Higher Ed Leaders

    In spring 2018, NACE staff and leaders met with a variety of public policy and higher education leaders in Washington, D.C.

  9. Fall 2018: NACE Discussions With Association, Public Policy Leaders

    NACE staff met with association and public policy leaders in Washington, D.C., in fall 2018 to discuss a range of topics.

  10. Spring 2019 Advocacy Meetings Focus on College Transparency Act, HEA Reauthorization, Proposed Legislation

    In spring 2019, NACE representatives met legislative staff and public policy leaders in Washington, D.C., to discuss a range of issues affecting higher education and employment, including reauthorization of the HEA, College Transparency Act, and Classroom to Careers Act.