Office of Access and Community Engagement (ACE)

The Office of Access and Community Engagement (ACE) at Michigan State University aims to increase individuals’ and organizations’ capacity to implement equitable policies, procedures, and classroom and organizational practices for meeting the academic and social needs of a diverse PreK-21 student body and workforce. Our purpose is to provide professional education that assists educators and community organizations in creating and sustaining equitable communities. Stakeholders receive instruction from Michigan State University experts who have in-depth experience connecting research and practice. The office operates to fulfill the university’s land grant mission in service to the state of Michigan.

What we do

• Provide professional education on culturally responsive leadership and instructional practices
• Partner with organizations to connect research to practice (i.e. praxis) for PreK-21 educational leaders, staff, teachers, and community members.
• Support outreach, recruitment and programming for diverse pathways to undergraduate majors and advanced degree programs. 

Who we serve

• PreK-12 administrators, practitioners, and staff
• Higher education faculty, administrators, and staff
• Community organizations 

Our definition of equity

We define equity as a measure of access and fairness by meeting the needs of everyone. Educational equity, then, is achieved through assessing needs and implementing policies, practice, and programs that eliminate barriers to success for all students.  

Points of distinction

• Educational equity
• Bridging theory and practice
• Critical self-reflection