Molly C. Broad
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Molly Broad Becomes First Woman to Lead American Council
on Education
College Board Commission on Access, Admissions, and Success in Higher Education member Molly Corbett Broad has been named the twelfth president of the American Council on Education, marking the first time a woman has led the Washington, D.C.-based higher education organization since its founding in 1918. She succeeds outgoing ACE President David Ward, who has served since 2001.
Before joining ACE, Broad served as president of the University of North Carolina from 1997 to 2006. While at Carolina, she presided over unprecedented growth in enrollment. Under the Focused Growth Initiative, minority enrollment at the university grew at more than double the rate of the overall student body during her tenure. She also spearheaded the creation of a need-based financial aid program for in-state undergraduates and the creation of the College Foundation of North Carolina.
Broad assumes her responsibilities at ACE during a critical time for higher education. On the legislative front, ACE is in the midst of making recommendations as the House and Senate prepare to reconcile two bills that will reauthorize the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), while also working on measures to ensure unimpeded access to student loans and other concerns. In light of the current economic situation in the United States, access and affordability have become ever more urgent in our efforts to gain an edge in global competitiveness.
“In Washington, I think there are a number of national policy issues that are in the final stages of refinement,” Broad stated in an interview with the Associated Press. “The reauthorization of the Higher Education Act is in its final stages. But there are important national issues about the future of higher education that will be part of the responsibility of ACE to advance
and explain.”
Broad has been a member of the College Board throughout her tenure at several universities, while serving in various positions of administration. She currently serves as member of College Board’s Commission on Access, Admissions and Success in Higher Education, where she contributes her wealth of expertise in finance, information technology, government relations, capital planning, leadership development and strategy. At the California State University system, she served as senior vice chancellor for administration and finance from 1992 to 1993, and as executive vice chancellor and chief operating officer from 1993 until her election as UNC president.
