The Higher Education Partnership Network (HEPN) recently convened in Miami, bringing together leaders and innovators from across the higher education landscape. Held annually, HEPN is designed to foster collaboration, innovation and strategic thinking in higher education, and the 2025 event focused on themes such as artificial intelligence, enrollment strategy, student mental health, change leadership and financial sustainability. 

Among the standout voices was American College of Education (ACE) President and CEO, Geordie Hyland, who delivered a compelling message during the event’s closing keynote panel, “Redefining Value Through Partnership and Innovation.”  

Championing ROI and Measurable Student Value  

In his keynote remarks, Hyland addressed one of the most pressing questions facing higher education today: How can institutions deliver real, measurable value for students? His answer was both visionary and grounded in practice.  

Drawing from ACE’s strategic initiatives, Hyland outlined how our institution is redefining the value of higher education through career-aligned degree programs, innovative partnerships and a relentless focus on student outcomes. He emphasized the importance of transparency, affordability and adaptability in ensuring that students not only earn college degrees but also gain the skills, confidence and connections to thrive in their careers and communities. 

Indeed, ACE has been committed to creating low-cost advanced education opportunities since our founding. We understand that college graduates can only truly experience the advantages of higher education if they don’t have student debt to hold them back. With the costs of college rising, ACE has kept tuition low and continued to provide our students with a positive return on investment (ROI): A 2023 study showed that for every $1 ACE students invested in their education, they saw a return of $19.20 in future higher earnings. 

Hyland’s insights resonated deeply with attendees, sparking dialogue around how institutions can evolve to amplify the benefits of college education and meet the needs of today’s students.  

ACE’s Broader Engagement at HEPN  

In addition to Hyland’s keynote, I had the honor of serving on the HEPN steering committee and leading two sessions that complemented the themes of innovation and student success.   

The first was an interactive workshop titled “Building a Culture of Well-Being,” where we explored how institutions can foster environments that support holistic student development. The session explored strategic approaches to embedding well-being into institutional practices, including leadership modeling, cross-departmental collaboration and data-informed decision-making. 

Participants shared innovative programs and policies ranging from mental health initiatives to inclusive community-building efforts that have shown measurable impact. Key themes that emerged included the importance of intentionality and sustainability in well-being efforts. A major takeaway was the need to align well-being with institutional mission and student success goals, ensuring it is not an add-on but a core component of the academic experience.  

The second was a keynote panel discussion titled “Building a Community of Success Around Enrollment and Retention,” which brought together leaders to share strategies for supporting students from enrollment through graduation. The conversation highlighted innovative, student-centered strategies that institutions are using to improve student access, persistence and completion. 

Panelists shared approaches such as predictive analytics and proactive advising to support students, and a recurring theme was the importance of fostering belonging and purpose as drivers of retention. One key insight was that enrollment and retention efforts are most effective when they are collaborative, data-informed and aligned with broader institutional goals for student success.  

These sessions emphasized ACE’s commitment to student-centered transformation, with a focus on integrating well-being and belonging into the student experience while utilizing data and design thinking to drive enrollment and retention.  

Looking Ahead  

HEPN Miami was more than just another conference. It was a platform for ACE to share our story, learn from others and reaffirm our mission. For students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, this moment is a reminder that ACE is not only part of the national conversation around how colleges show value to students, but that we’re helping lead it.  

Hyland’s keynote and our broader engagement at HEPN reflect the strength of our community and the clarity of our vision. We are committed to delivering education that is transformative, measurable and deeply aligned with the needs of today’s learners. We are passionate about communicating the value of education, demonstrating that a positive financial return is possible for both higher education institutions and students to achieve. 

As we return from HEPN, we’re energized by the ideas, connections and momentum that were generated from the event. We’re bringing those insights back to ACE, where they will inform our ongoing work to enhance student outcomes, strengthen our community and deliver on our promise of value.  

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