Research Guides: HIAD: Higher and Adult Education: Professional Organizations

Professional Organizations

Professional organizations exist to advance the interests and values of a particular profession. Different professional organizations represent aspects of higher and adult education, such as:

Fields of study
Identity groups
Occupations
Types of institutions

Information from professional organizations would be considered "grey literature."

site: Searching

A helpful tool for searching professional organizations is the Google site search tool. You enter your existing search words and then add "site:" and a domain or URL you want to search. You could then, for example, search the website of a professional organization you think will have reports or news on a topic of interest.

Domain example: site:.org
URL example: site:aaup.org

Major Professional Organizations

American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE) "The mission of the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE) is to provide leadership for the field of adult and continuing education by expanding opportunities for adult growth and development; unifying adult educators; fostering the development and dissemination of theory, research, information, and best practices; promoting identity and standards for the profession; and advocating relevant public policy and social change initiatives."
American Association of University Women (AAUW) "Our mission: advancing gender equity through research, education and advocacy."
America Technical Education Association (ATEA) "The America Technical Education Association (ATEA) is fundamental to the growth of postsecondary technical education. We are on the frontlines to build up the workforce and help students reimagine their futures in high-paying, high-demand advanced manufacturing careers."
Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) "The Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) is a scholarly association based in the United States, dedicated to higher education as a field of study. There are over 2,100 members of the association, of whom about 40% are full-time graduate students undertaking master’s or doctoral degrees in a range of areas including education and other social sciences. About half of ASHE members are university faculty, mostly in academic programs that focus on some aspect of higher education, such as administration, leadership, or policy. ASHE members also include researchers working in non-university settings, including government, think-tanks, and advocacy organizations."

Institution-Based Organizations

American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU) "The American Association of Colleges and Universities is a global membership organization dedicated to advancing the vitality and democratic purposes of undergraduate liberal education. Through our programs and events, publications and research, public advocacy and campus-based projects, AAC&U serves as a catalyst and facilitator for innovations that improve educational quality and equity and that support the success of all students."
American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) "The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is the primary advocacy organization for the nation’s community colleges. The association represents more than 1,000 2-year, associate degree-granting institutions and nearly 12 million students."
American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) "AASCU shapes public policy and strengthens state college and university leaders as they expand student access and success. We are the collective voice of 350 state colleges, universities, and systems united by our shared commitment to make affordable, high-quality education available to students of all backgrounds, races, and ethnicities."
American Council on Education (ACE) "The American Council on Education (ACE) is a membership organization that mobilizes the higher education community to shape effective public policy and foster innovative, high-quality practice. As the major coordinating body for the nation’s colleges and universities, our strength lies in our diverse membership of more than 1,700 colleges and universities, related associations, and other organizations in America and abroad. ACE is the only major higher education association to represent all types of U.S. accredited, degree-granting institutions: two-year and four-year, public and private."
American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) "In 1973, the first six American Indian tribally controlled colleges established the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) to provide a support network as they worked to influence federal policies on American Indian higher education. Today, AIHEC has grown to 37 Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) in the United States. Each of these institutions was created and chartered by its own tribal government or the federal government for a specific purpose: to provide higher education opportunities to American Indians through programs that are locally and culturally based, holistic, and supportive."
Association of American International Colleges and Universities (AAICU) "Founded in 1971, the Association of American International Colleges and Universities (AAICU) is a consortium of independent, non-for-profit, higher education institutions located outside the United States and based on the American liberal arts model. AAICU members adhere to the highest standards of institutional accountability and integrity. AAICU provides a distinctive forum for sharing best practices in international higher education, facilitates international and intercultural perspectives through student and faculty exchange, and promotes broader awareness of the educational, economic, social, and cultural contributions of member institutions to the regions of the world in which they are located."
Association of American Universities (AAU) "Founded in 1900, the Association of American Universities is composed of America’s leading research universities. AAU’s 65 research universities transform lives through education, research, and innovation."
Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) "The goal of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities is to strengthen and promote the Catholic mission and identity of its member campuses."
Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities (APLU) "The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) is a research, policy, and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening and advancing the work of public universities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The association’s membership consists of more than 250 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems, and affiliated organizations."
Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) "The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities is a higher education association of more than 185 Christian institutions around the world."
Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) "The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) is an association of nonprofit independent colleges and universities that has worked since 1956 to support college and university leadership; advance institutional excellence; and enhance public understanding of private higher education’s contributions to society. ... Eligibility for CIC membership is open to all small and mid-sized private liberal arts colleges and universities in the U.S., as well as those located outside the U.S. Two-year independent institutions and nonprofit organizations that support the purposes of independent higher education are also eligible to be members of CIC."
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) "Today, HACU represents more than 500 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America, Spain and U.S. school districts. Although our member institutions in the U.S. represent only 17% of all higher education institutions nationwide, together they are home to two-thirds of all Hispanic college students. HACU is the only national educational association that represents Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs)."
International Association of Universities (IAU) "The International Association of Universities, created under the auspices of UNESCO in 1950, is a membership-based organisation serving the global higher education community through: expertise & trends analysis, publications & portals, advisory services, peer-to-peer learning, events, global advocacy."
National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) "The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) is the nation’s only national membership association of all of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). Founded in 1969, by the presidents and chancellors of HBCUs and other equal educational opportunity institutions, NAFEO is a one of a kind membership association representing the presidents and chancellors of the public, private, independent, and land-grant, two-year, four-year, graduate and professional, HBCUs and PBIs."

Occupation-Based Organizations

American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) "AACRAO is a non-profit, voluntary, professional association of more than 11,000 higher education professionals who represent approximately 2,600 institutions in more than 40 countries. Its mission is to provide professional development, guidelines, and voluntary standards to be used by higher education officials regarding the best practices in records management, admissions, enrollment management, administrative information technology, and student services."
American Association of University Professors (AAUP) "The AAUP is a nonprofit membership association of faculty and other academic professionals. Headquartered in Washington, DC, we have members and chapters based at colleges and universities across the country. Since our founding in 1915, the AAUP has helped to shape American higher education by developing the standards and procedures that maintain quality in education and academic freedom in this country's colleges and universities. We define fundamental professional values and standards for higher education, advance the rights of academics, particularly as those rights pertain to academic freedom and shared governance, and promote the interests of higher education teaching and research."
American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) "The American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting academic excellence, academic freedom, and accountability at America’s colleges and universities. Launched in 1995, we are the only organization that works with alumni, donors, trustees, and education leaders across the United States to support liberal arts education, uphold high academic standards, safeguard the free exchange of ideas on campus, and ensure that the next generation receives an intellectually rich, high-quality college education at an affordable price."
Association for Institutional Research (AIR) "AIR is a global association of higher education professionals. AIR exists to empower those individuals at all levels to use data, analytics, information, and evidence to make decisions that are effective, ethical, and equitable and take actions that benefit all students and institutions and improve higher education."
Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) "Representing nearly 9,000 individuals and libraries, the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), the largest division of the American Library Association, develops programs, products, and services to help those working in academic and research libraries learn, innovate, and lead within the academic community."
Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) "The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) is a non-profit educational organization of governing boards, representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern over 1,200 community, technical, and junior colleges in the United States and beyond."
Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) "The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) is the premier organization focused on empowering college, university, and foundation boards to govern with knowledge and confidence."
Association of Research Libraries (ARL) "The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit membership organization of research libraries and archives in major public and private universities, federal government agencies, and large public institutions in Canada and the US."
Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) Membership organization for disability resource professionals, student affairs personnel, ADA coordinators, diversity officers, and AT/IT staff, as well as faculty, instructors, and other higher education personnel interested in higher education experiences for disabled individuals.
NAFSA: Association of International Educators "NAFSA: Association of International Educators is the world's largest nonprofit association dedicated to international education and exchange. NAFSA serves the needs of more than 10,000 members and international educators worldwide at more than 3,500 institutions, in more than 160 countries."
NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education "NASPA is the professional home for the field of student affairs. Together, we are dedicated to fulfilling the promise of higher education through our guiding principles of Integrity, Innovation, Inclusion, and Inquiry."
National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) "The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), founded in 1937, is an organization of more than 26,000 professionals from around the world dedicated to serving students as they make choices about pursuing postsecondary education."
National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) "The National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) is the leading source of information for campus business and finance professionals. We provide you with a bold voice, collaboration, and resources to tackle higher education’s evolving challenges."
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) "The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) is the only national, nonprofit association with a primary focus on information dissemination, professional development, and legislative and regulatory analysis related to federal student aid programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. Our membership consists of more than 29,000 financial aid professionals at nearly 3,000 colleges, universities, and career schools across the country."
State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO) Represents state higher education executive officers and their staffs.
University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) "The University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) is a consortium of higher education institutions committed to advancing the preparation and practice of educational leaders for the benefit of schools and children."