The Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) and the National Association of System Heads (NASH) are pleased to announce a new collaboration that will deliver unprecedented support to faculty, strengthen their command of evidence-based teaching practices, and in doing so, help many more students succeed succeed in college and beyond. Over 1,500 faculty at four prominent public systems of higher education will have the opportunity to develop proven approaches relevant to both in-person and online teaching, to the benefit of nearly 300,000 students. The initiative is made possible through 2.4M dollars in generous support from the Charles Koch Foundation.

ACUE, NASH, and the Foundation came together around a shared vision that recognizes the singular importance of faculty members in a college student’s life. ACUE courses in effective teaching practices for in-person and online instruction have been embraced by thousands of faculty and hundreds of institutions nationwide; efficacy studies show that students learn more—more equitably with their peers—when taught by ACUE-credentialed faculty. NASH also has a proven track record of leading major national initiatives, through its member systems, to improve student achievement and equity. In recognition of ACUE and NASH’s unique capabilities, the Foundation has provided the necessary resources to scale this proven work and meet the needs of faculty. This support is particularly relevant during this unprecedented time of change across all of higher education.

“ACUE is thrilled to partner with NASH and the Charles Koch Foundation to launch an initiative that will benefit faculty and hundreds of thousands of students across the country,” said Susan Cates, ACUE’s CEO. “The collaboration could not come at a more important time to support the public university systems that are such a powerful force in the economic and civic life of the country. Our missions are strongly aligned, as we share a core conviction in the importance of faculty and effective instruction.”

“We know quality learning experiences lead to better and more equitable outcomes for students,” said Rebecca Martin, executive director of NASH. “We are grateful for this collaboration’s alignment on the importance of supporting faculty to deliver quality instruction including ACUE’s expertise in pedagogically-sound, evidence-based teaching practices and the Charles Koch Foundation’s support of innovative educational programs that lead to student success.”

The four initial systems selected to participate in this initiative are the California State University System, the City University of New York, The Texas A&M University System, and the University System of Missouri. More information about this initiative can be found here and at this Q&A document.

More information about this collaboration can be found here and at this Q&A.

About ACUE: The Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) is on a mission to ensure student success through quality instruction. In partnership with colleges, universities, higher education systems and associations, ACUE prepares and credentials faculty in the evidence-based teaching practices that improve student achievement and close equity gaps. Numerous and independently validated efficacy studies confirm that students are more engaged, learn more, and complete courses in greater numbers—more equitably with their peers—when taught by ACUE-credentialed faculty. ACUE’s online, cohort-based credentialing programs are delivered through institutional partnerships and open enrollment courses endorsed by the American Council on Education. To learn more, visit acue.org.

About Charles Koch Foundation: For four decades, Charles Koch’s philanthropy has inspired bold new ideas to help people improve their lives. Inspired by a recognition that free people are capable of extraordinary things, the Charles Koch Foundation supports research, educational programs, and dialogue to advance an understanding of how people can best live together in peace, prosperity and challenge convention. The Charles Koch Foundation provides grants to support a wide range of inquiry including criminal justice and policing reform, free speech and open inquiry, foreign policy, economic opportunity, and innovation. To learn more visit charleskochfoundation.org.

About NASH: The National Association of System Heads (NASH) is the association of the chief executives of 40 colleges and university systems of public higher education in the United States. Formed in 1979 for the purpose of seeking improvement in the organization and governance of public higher education systems, NASH serves as a forum for the exchange of views and information among its members and on leveraging the power of systems to advance innovation and change in public higher education. To learn more, visit: nashonline.org