Ted Mitchell

Ted Mitchell is the President of the American Council on Education (ACE), a prominent organization that serves as the major coordinating body for higher education institutions in the United States. He has held this position since September 1, 2017, succeeding Molly Corbett Broad.

Background and Experience

Education and Early Career::

• Ted Mitchell earned his bachelor's, master's, and PhD degrees from Stanford University.
• He served as president of Occidental College from 1999 to 2005 and has held various academic roles, including vice chancellor and dean at UCLA's Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, and professor at Dartmouth College.

Federal Service::

• Mitchell was appointed as the U.S. Under Secretary of Education during the Obama administration from 2014 to 2017. In this role, he oversaw significant policies related to postsecondary education, including initiatives for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and federal student aid programs.

K-12 Education Leadership::

• Before his tenure at ACE, he was the CEO of the NewSchools Venture Fund from 2005 to 2014, focusing on K-12 education innovation. He also served as president of the California State Board of Education.

Leadership at ACE

At ACE, Mitchell's leadership is characterized by a commitment to increasing access to high-quality education and improving outcomes for all students. He actively collaborates with Congress, the executive branch, and private sectors to develop policies that support postsecondary learners. His initiatives have included restoring Pell Grants for incarcerated individuals and creating tools like the College Scorecard to enhance transparency in higher education.

Mitchell is also involved with several boards, including Coursera and Khan Academy, further emphasizing his dedication to educational equity and innovation.

In summary, Ted Mitchell's extensive background in both higher education administration and federal policymaking positions him as a significant leader in advocating for improvements in the U.S. education system.