American Council of Trustees and Alumni

Dear ACTA friend, Last week, the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) launched its National Commission on American History and Civic Education. For too long, colleges and universities have been derelict in their duty to prepare students to be engaged and informed citizens, with only one in five institutions requiring a course in U.S. history and government for graduation. ACTA’s recent survey, Losing America’s Memory 2.0, revealed startling gaps in college students’ civic knowledge, highlighting the urgent need for a course correction. The National Commission, comprised of 22 distinguished historians, political scientists, and education leaders, will take steps to remedy the long-standing failure of colleges and universities to require a foundational course in U.S. history and government. By the time of the 250th anniversary of our nation in 2026, the commission will issue a white paper analyzing the crisis and providing crucial guidance on the essential elements of such a course and how to implement these recommendations in higher education. For additional information, visit this link: https://lnkd.in/eYFGCusH. The rising generation deserves a rigorous liberal arts education that equips them to make meaningful contributions to civic life. The National Commission is one of the many ways ACTA is working to reinvigorate our engagement with the American story and safeguard the future of our nation. If you wish to support our efforts, please use the donate button below. Warm Regards, Michael Poliakoff President

Over the years we've learned the best time to help students develop an appetite for healthy civil discourse is during the very first days of their college journey. I was honored to lead a Braver Angels debate for the incoming class of 300 freshmen at Juniata College. This small liberal arts college in rural Pennsylvania is a gem. The students' debate -- on the topic "Does Artificial Intelligence do more harm than good?" -- was bult into their freshman orientation. Young people who have just graduated from high school are so open and thoughtful.... this is a great way to introduce them to vital skills of dialogue, listening and open inquiry that will benefit them in college and life. If you're a friend, follow the new College Debates & Discourse Alliance page, representing the remarkable joint initiative between BridgeUSA American Council of Trustees and Alumni and Braver Angels.

Conversations on academic freedom: At the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) in Washington D.C., DAAD Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst Vice President Muriel Helbig and #DWIHNY Head of Programs Jan Lüdert, Ph.D. met with ACTA representatives to explore possible synergies and collaborations in a transatlantic context. In this initial meeting, they discussed academic freedom, academic excellence, and accountability in higher education with Michael B. Poliakoff, President of ACTA, Armand Alacbay, Chief of Staff & Senior Vice President Strategy at ACTA, Bradley Jackson, Vice President of Policy at ACTA, and Steve McGuire, Paul & Karen Levy Fellow in Campus Freedom at ACTA, they talked academic freedom, academic excellence, and accountability in higher education. Thank you to everyone for the valuable insights on #AcademicFreedom!

With fewer than one in five colleges requiring a course in U.S. government and history, many students are leaving higher education without a clear grasp of their own system of government. ACTA is addressing this urgent situation through the formation of the National Commission on American History and Civic Education. Working with leading historians, political scientists, and educators, the Commission is tasked with crafting a white paper that will tackle the current crisis and offer recommendations. This pivotal document will outline the essential components of a foundational course in U.S. history and government and provide strategies for integrating these elements into higher education. In conjunction with the white paper, several commission members will contribute to an anthology titled "What Every College Student Needs to Know About American History". Edited by Dr. Joshua Dunn of the Institute of American Civics and Dr. Michael Poliakoff, President of ACTA, this anthology will aim to elevate the standards of civic education in our colleges and universities. Stay tuned for updates as we work towards ensuring that every graduate leaves college with a solid understanding of our nation's history and government—a foundation essential for informed citizenship and a healthier democracy. Read more about the Commission here: https://lnkd.in/eYFGCusH Commission Members: Dr. Jed Atkins, The Honorable Hank Brown, Dr. Jane Calvert, The Honorable Mitch Daniels, Dr. Joshua Dunn, Dr. Allen Guelzo, Dr. Richard Haass, The Honorable John Hillen, Dr. Robert Kc Johnson, Dr. Wilfred McClay, Dr. Louise Mirrer, Dr. Roosevelt Montas, Dr. Lucas Morel, Anne D. Neal Petri, Dr. Colleen Sheehan, Dr. Lawrence H. Summers, Dr. Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, Dr. Jean Yarbrough, Dr. Gordon Wood, Dr. Jonathan Zimmerman, Dr. Vincent Phillip Muñoz.

🌟 You're Invited to the Athena Roundtable Event! 🌟 📅 Date: October 18, 2024 📍 Location: Washington, DC Join us for a thought-provoking day at the Athena Roundtable as we explore "The Challenge of a Free Society" and honor the esteemed Nadine Strossen at the Merrill Award Gala. This event promises engaging discussions and insights into the complexities of freedom and society. Don't miss out on the opportunity to be part of this enlightening conversation and to network with like-minded professionals. Register Here: https://lnkd.in/ew4QV5Z7 We look forward to seeing you there! #AthenaRoundtable #Freedom #NadineStrossen #WashingtonDC #Networking #Event

Coming across this visual, I say to myself, "This honestly reflects how I try to lead my team." Looking back on a long career, it is sad to admit that several managers I worked under were the ghastly opposite of this. One or two came close to living up to what is represented in this chart. The good news is our current leadership at American Council of Trustees and Alumni is constituted this way.

Emily Jae is making it a priority to bond and connect with her team, and we couldn’t be more grateful! Here’s a snapshot of the Development team—Emily Jae, Nancy Phillips, Jimmy Lewis, Tracy Pang, and Grant Vargo-Willeford—enjoying their quarterly lunch in the ACTA café. At ACTA, we believe that Teamwork isn’t just a strategy—it’s the key to our success. Each team member pictured here exemplifies kindness, respect, and camaraderie, showcasing the power of collaboration in action. The team’s dedication to fostering strong friendships brings great benefits to our workplace: Improved Morale: Thanks to the team, our work environment is both positive and enjoyable, significantly boosting job satisfaction. Better Communication: Friendships within the team, nurtured by Emily, lead to honest and constructive feedback, minimizing misunderstandings and enhancing clarity. Increased Creativity: The friendly atmosphere Emily helps create sparks creativity and the free exchange of ideas, leading to innovative solutions. Thank you, Emily, for making our workplace a fantastic place to be! Your friendly and supportive nature has truly been transformative🌟🙌 #TeamSpirit #WorkplaceWellness #GreatLeadership #ThankYouEmily