What is the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)?
AACC is a national, nonprofit organization that represents close to 1,200, two-year, associate degree–granting institutions and their more than 11 million students. Since 1920, AACC has been the leading proponent and the national voice for community colleges. AACC is located in the National Center for Higher Education (NCHE) in Washington, D.C.
What is the Corporate Program?
The Program offers an avenue for private-sector executives and the AACC Board leadership to network, exchange ideas and explore potential partnerships. Through in-person, in-print and online vehicles, the program seeks to enhance your company's visibility with the community college sector. We offer four levels of corporate participation Leader, Partner, Advocate and Associate.
What is the Corporate Council?
The Corporate Council is the advisory arm of the Corporate Program. Council sessions offer a unique opportunity for direct, open dialogue between AACC Board members and corporate leaders representing diverse industries. Sessions provide opportunities to identify collaborative initiatives, recognize emerging sector trends and strengthen existing partnerships. The Corporate Council meetings coincide with AACC Board sessions and take place in April (at AACC's annual convention site) and November (in Washington, D.C.).
Is my contribution tax deductible?
Yes, AACC is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization; all contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
How is my contribution used?
AACC represents 90 percent of public, two-year U.S. community colleges and their almost 12 million students. The largest, fastest growing and most diverse sector of higher education, community colleges serve communities and the nation through a broad and critical mission that focuses on lifelong learning, career education and preparation for transfer. Because they typically receive most of their operating funding from state and local sources, community colleges are particularly susceptible to the volatility of economic downturns. By supporting AACC’s advocacy, you help to advance efforts to increase access to stimulus and competitive job grant funding, as well as a wide range of other opportunities through federal agencies. You also help expand Association efforts to provide essential leadership development programs, engage the philanthropic community to support innovative programs, and raise the visibility of community colleges among policymakers, news media and other key constituencies.
When is the next AACC Annual Convention?
April 21-24, 2012, Marriott World Center, Orlando, FL
Who attends the AACC Convention?
Convention attendees include senior community college administrators (chancellors, presidents, vice presidents, deans, and department chairs), trustees, faculty, business and industry representatives who work with or have an interest in community colleges. Federal or state agency representatives, graduate students and international educators also attend.
What kind of visibility will my company get at the AACC Convention?
AACC works closely with corporate donors to identify optimal in-person, online and in-print presence at the convention and at other AACC major conferences throughout the year.
Your convention in-person presence may be as an exhibitor, as an event sponsor, as a participant in the AACC's Corporate Council meeting*, as a participant in educational and social events.
Your online presence is established by displaying your company name and logo on AACC’s main and convention Web sites.
Your in-print presence is apparent through a prominent ad in the convention program book, which spotlights all of AACC's corporate donors. A recognition banner listing Corporate Program donors is also prominently displayed in the convention main hall. If you are a donor and an exhibitor, your company's name is highlighted in the exhibit hall guide book and in the Web list of exhibitors. You may also take advantage of complimentary ads to advertise in the convention editions of the Community College Journal and the Community College Times.
Finally, you may consider inserting your company's brochure in the convention tote bag. This option is free for corporate Leaders and Partners. It is accessible, for a modest fee, to corporate Advocates and Associates. It is available to all on a first-come, first-served basis.
What other AACC major conferences offer sponsorship opportunities?
During the year, AACC also promotes annual meetings of the Workforce Development Institute (WDI), Presidents Academy Summer Institute (PASI), Future Leaders Institute (FLI) and Washington Institute (WI).
If I join the Corporate Program and want to sponsor an event, do I pay extra?
You do not have to pay extra. As a donor you are eligible to sponsor an event at no cost, as long as the event totals the amount of your donation.
Does AACC help me sell products and services?
AACC does not endorse or recommend the purchase or use of any company's products or services. We also advise corporate donors to avoid soliciting or making an explicit promotion of a company’s products and services at social events.
May I display AACC's logo on my Web site or in promotional materials?
AACC's names, trademarks, logos or copyrights may be used with the association's prior written approval. Also, AACC retains editorial control of publications produced in cooperation with corporate sponsors.
How does my company join?
Please contact Carolina Zumarán-Jones, AACC's Corporate Program Manager, at 202-728-0200, ext. 270 or czjones@aacc.nche.edu.
* Corporate Council participation is restricted to Leader, Partner and Advocate donor levels.