How ACE Defines Impact in Higher Education听
番茄视频 (ACE) celebrated 20 years of higher education done differently in 2025, where half of those years we met rigorous social responsibility standards as a Certified Benefit Corporation. Our time as a B Corp has come to an end, and we鈥檙e embarking on a new chapter as an Impact Institution, where we continue to make a global impact through the power of education and business.
It’s not just a catchy phrase but a clear, measurable promise to prioritize impact in everything we do.
鈥淭he Impact Institution designation reflects who we鈥檝e always been at ACE 鈥� mission-led, community-oriented and focused on results that matter,鈥� ACE Chief Human Resources Officer KK Guess said. 鈥淭his new chapter of our social responsibility efforts demonstrates our continued commitment to making purpose-driven decisions that positively impact our employees as well as our students and the communities they serve.鈥�
What Does It Mean to Be an Impact Institution?听
Impact Institutions unwaveringly commit to their core mission and measure its execution by the impact they make. For ACE, that starts within our teams and how we hire employees who are passionate about what we do, empowering them to leverage their talents in an impactful way. This starts with a strong, positive work culture. In 2025, our employee net promoter score (eNPS) was 49, indicating a highly engaged workforce.
It continues with our founding commitment to flexible, affordable and career-centered learning that comes to life wherever our students study, work and serve.
ACE being an Impact Institution means:
- 础肠肠别蝉蝉听蹿颈谤蝉迟:听We create pathways to high-quality online education that meet听adult听learners where they are.听
- Impact over optics:听We hold ourselves听to听high standards听that听resolve challenges听in communities,听classrooms听and workplaces.听
- Service as culture:听Volunteerism, recognition and sustainability听aren鈥檛听side projects, but听they鈥檙e听embedded in how we听operate.听
Transforming Our Mission听Into听Measurable Outcomes听
Our mission calls us to deliver high-quality, affordable and accessible online programs grounded in evidence-based content and relevant application, preparing graduates to serve, lead and achieve personal and professional goals in diverse, evolving communities.
鈥淎s an Impact Institution, we close the gap between quality higher education and affordability,鈥� ACE President and CEO Geordie Hyland said. 鈥淥ur programs position students for future success with measurable outcomes and without unpayable debt. Additionally, employers benefit from our graduates, who are well-prepared, confident employees ready for influential leadership.鈥�
The numbers say it all. ACE transforms our mission into impactful outcomes for our students, employees and beyond.
- 87% of听ACE students graduate without debt1听
- For every $1 ACE students invest in their education, they receive听$19.20 in higher future earnings听
- 98% of students听feel their professional skills are听stronger听
- 96% of students听feel听they’re听prepared for their job after their听program听
- 96% of employers听are satisfied with ACE听graduates听
- 93% of ACE employees believe that ACE听operates听with strong values2听
- 91% of ACE employees believe their job makes them feel part of something meaningful2听
- 89% of ACE employees feel included2听
At ACE, our mission drives our work, and our impact is how we measure success. Through two initiatives 鈥� Torch of Responsibility and ACE Cares 鈥� we鈥檙e showing what it looks like when a college puts social responsibility, accountability and sustainability at the center of its identity.
Torch of Responsibility: Leadership and Accountability听
A torch represents a guiding light that leads the way and steps up to address critical challenges in our world while inspiring others to do the same. Torch of Responsibility is an Impact Institution initiative that recognizes the exemplary individuals 鈥� employees, students, alumni and stakeholders 鈥� and organizations who exemplify leadership grounded in accountability, sustainability and service.
Torch of Responsibility represents:
- Accountable,听responsible听and听purpose-driven听leadership听
- Intentional, thoughtful and data-based decision听making听
- Work cultures whose teams are inspired to generate impactful听results听
- Recognition听that extends beyond ACE and into the听professional听landscape听as well as across communities听nationwide听
ACE Cares: The Heartbeat of Service听
A job well done stems from the heart, where compassion, empathy and care contribute to our impact. ACE Cares is the philanthropic and environmental arm of Impact Institution, representing our commitment to generosity, stewardship and service. We encourage our employees to leverage 16 hours of civic paid time off annually to make a difference in their communities.
ACE Cares initiatives include:
- Volunteering听individually or with colleagues听
- Sponsoring听and serving听at community听events,听often in support of our nonprofit and strategic partners听
- Contributing听to sustainability initiatives like听volunteer activities, environment preservation and more听
- Spearheading听campaigns that honor educators,听nurses听and other service-oriented professionals听
Celebrating Partnerships That Multiply Impact听
Operating as an Impact Institution requires intentional collaboration. We鈥檝e joined forces with nonprofit and strategic partners, aligned programs with workforce needs and ensured students are equipped for career success.
From day one, ACE has positioned itself as a valued and trusted partner to many nonprofit organizations, school districts, healthcare systems, community colleges and more who work on the front lines of addressing today’s human capital shortages.
Collaborating with others allows us to:
- Expand听access to affordable, quality learning that leads to a robust return on investment for听students听
- Diversify听perspectives听with industry leaders and experts who share our commitment to innovation, relevance and programming that advances听careers听
- Provide meaningful solutions in critical areas like education and nursing听that听continue to face staff听shortages听
Why Being an Impact Institution Matters听
Impact doesn鈥檛 happen by accident. It鈥檚 built through thousands of consistent, caring actions that align with our strategic vision. That鈥檚 the ACE way. Being an Impact Institution is a designation we value, not because it鈥檚 a title, but because it鈥檚 a commitment we renew every day.
番茄视频 offers flexible, quality programs designed to advance your career without debt.
1Internal research completed in November 2025
22025 Employee Engagement Survey conducted by Energage
