Dr. Elizabeth Alvarez graduated from ACE with the college’s first cohort in 2007. She currently serves as a superintendent in Illinois, a published author and an adjunct professor at Aurora University. As part of ACE’s 20^th anniversary, we were thrilled to connect with her and learn more about her experience during ACE’s first two years of operation and her career since then.

ACE: Tell us about your career journey since you graduated from ACE.

Dr. Elizabeth Alvarez (EA): Soon after graduating, I served as an assistant principal for two years before transitioning to principalship, a role I held for five years. Being a principal remains one of my favorite and most rewarding roles. Following that, I became a chief of schools for five years, where I gained valuable district-level leadership experience. Currently, I am completing my fourth year as the superintendent in Forest Park, a position that continues to inspire and challenge me.

ACE: What led you to attend ACE as part of the first cohort?

EA: I was a coach at the time when we were informed about the creation of a new school and the opportunity to be part of its inaugural group. My fellow coaches and I encouraged one another to take this bold step together. The mutual support within our group made the decision to join an easy and exciting choice.

ACE: Tell us what it was like to attend ACE back in 2005. Share some of your fondest memories.

EA: Attending ACE was a unique and memorable experience. One of my first memories is attending classes at Mark Sheridan Magnet School, where we began to forge strong connections as a cohort. The quizzes at the end of each module were always a lively topic of discussion — we couldn’t wait to compare how we did! I also fondly recall collaborating in groups of four to develop projects, as we were a competitive yet supportive bunch. Lastly, I’ll never forget the day we learned that one of us was awarded a principalship. We celebrated that milestone together, a testament to the camaraderie we built during our time at ACE.

ACE: Were there any unique challenges or experiences that came with being part of the first group of graduates?

EA: One of the unique challenges we faced was that ACE wasn’t accredited yet when we started. There were moments when we worried that all our hard work might not ultimately be recognized. Thankfully, the good news of accreditation came before we graduated, which brought us a huge sense of relief. Additionally, being the first cohort came with its own set of challenges as we navigated the growing pains of a brand-new program. It felt like we were setting the foundation and paving the way for future cohorts, a responsibility we took seriously.

ACE: What are you most proud of when you think about being part of the first graduating class, and how has it impacted your personal and professional life?

EA: I’m incredibly grateful to have been part of the inaugural cohort. It was an opportunity that has profoundly shaped my career. At the time, pursuing a Type 75 certification, which was crucial for taking on leadership roles, wasn’t even on my radar. However, joining the cohort gave me the confidence to take that leap and earn the certification, which was pivotal as it set me on the path to pursue leadership. The experience also made me realize how blessed I was to be in the right place at the right time. I take pride in being part of a group that set the tone for what ACE has become today.

ACE: Tell us more about the you authored and what inspired you to write it.

EA: The inspiration for writing this book came from a deep desire to honor my family’s resilience, reflect on my experiences with identity and share lessons I’ve learned navigating challenges of exclusion and belonging. The metaphor of the rabbit on the moon — drawn from Aztec and Mayan lore — resonated with me because it represents both perseverance and transformation. Like the rabbit’s journey to the moon, my story is one of finding strength in vulnerability and light in moments of darkness.

ACE: How does it make you feel to see the college celebrating its 20^th anniversary?

EA: I feel immense happiness and pride for ACE as it continues to grow and improve year after year. Seeing how far it has come is truly inspiring.

ACE: If you could speak to current ACE students pursuing careers in education, what advice or wisdom would you share?

EA: You get out of this experience what you put into it. Don’t be afraid to put yourself in vulnerable positions, as that’s where the most growth happens. Seek out opportunities to challenge yourself and step outside of your comfort zone. Most importantly, prioritize building friendships and a strong support system. You’ll rely on it throughout your career.

Being an ·¬ÇŃĘÓƵ alumni has its perks. When you return as an alumni for another program, you can save 5% off your tuition with the Alumni Continuing Education Grant.

Emphasizing innovation and maintaining a student-first mentality are among several intentional efforts that led to our 20th anniversary, where we have grown exponentially with no loss of momentum in sight. Marked by countless milestones, ACE’s success stems from its unique ability to stand out from the global, crowded sea of institutions by breaking through the proverbial college mold and doing higher education differently.

An Origin of Serving Students

Founded by educators seeking pre-K-12 reform, ACE originated with a mission to serve those who serve. Two years after our accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), we celebrated our first graduates, equipped for career advancement and making a difference in their communities. From this inaugural cohort of 24 students, ACE now boasts more than 12,000 students and 44,000 alumni.

ACE’s commitment to serving students reached significant heights in our first decade of operation. We officially became a fully online institution in 2009, an intentional decision that would allow global access to quality degree programs. Additionally, we started building what would become an extensive, diverse program portfolio to support more student career goals.

In ACE’s second decade of operation, we reaffirmed our HLC accreditation twice (in 2014 and again in 2024). We also obtained accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

During this time, ACE became a Certified B Corporation, solidifying our dedication to social responsibility and positively contributing to society. Our operational approach prioritizes social and environmental impact, and we also empower individual members of our community to give back within their diverse communities across the country. Since our first certification, ACE has been re-certified twice – in 2019 and 2022.

Building the ACE Model

ACE’s unique approach to higher education largely rests in our ability to offer a world-class education at an affordable cost. Accessibility is in our DNA, and it started with an intentional decision not to accept Title IV student loans, even though we’re eligible. This allows ACE to keep operational and tuition costs low to focus on student returns on investment – an uncommon priority throughout traditional higher education as infrastructural costs and fees take precedence.

The ACE model is based on real-world costs so students can progress in their careers without the shadow of student debt. It’s proven successful, as 86% of students graduate without debt¹ and tuition hasn’t increased since 2016. Additionally, recent research shows that our graduates get a return of $19.20 in higher future earnings for every dollar invested in their education at ACE.

Our commitment to accessibility doesn’t end there, as ACE has fully embraced the power of partnerships over the years. From our originating collaboration with a large school district, we have developed an ingrained, one-of-a-kind ability to support human capital pipelines through customized employment solutions nationwide. Including thousands of school district partnerships in the United States, ACE partnerships help attract, retain, upskill and reskill staff in ways that reflect current employment needs.

Partnerships further close higher education affordability gaps through tuition reduction benefits and seamless credit for prior learning (CPL) transfer pathways. ACE’s CPL approach and transfer-friendliness can decrease student tuition dollars by thousands and accelerate program completion time.

Growing a Diverse Program Portfolio

An evolving workforce requires higher education institutions to stay adept at equipping graduates to meet and exceed employer expectations. ACE has focused on this from the start, which has led to today’s 95% employer satisfaction rate. We capitalized on our success with education programs and launched programs in nursing, healthcare, business and leadership – all in our first decade of operation.

This growth is projected to continue as we closely monitor workforce trends to equip current and future leaders and employees with relevant, data-driven curricula taught by industry experts.

Since our humble beginning, ACE now offers more than 60 programs for students to pursue doctoral, master’s or bachelor’s degrees, along with graduate-level certificate programs. Our programs result in more than a piece of paper, but graduates who are empowered and equipped with skills, knowledge, research and data-driven practices that elevate their careers and enhance their futures.

Progressing With Modern Student Needs

Student needs have grown alongside ACE, and an integral part of both student and institutional success is a forward-thinking mentality. ACE uses student satisfaction surveys and data-driven insights to inform protocols that positively impact future growth. In fact, 92% of our students are satisfied with their experience at ACE. We take their feedback seriously and use it as a powerful tool to understand specific needs and prioritize actively meeting those needs.

It was ingrained in ACE’s identity to meet students where they are, and we are committed to keeping it this way. As an institution serving adult learners, we know that there are life implications to consider when enrolling in a degree or certification program – marriage, children, homeownership, health management, financial commitments and more. The list of life’s demands only continues.

It’s our priority to keep attuned to student needs beyond classroom expectations and outcomes so we can support students genuinely and holistically as they work toward their career goals.

The Best is Yet to Come

ACE is committed to reaching students far and wide to offer career advancement opportunities through higher education. Twenty years of serving students undoubtedly involves commitment, passion and hard work. Every employee at ACE plays an integral role in seeing every student successfully achieve their career goals as an ACE graduate.

Building a unique model, collaborating with partners, creating robust program portfolios and meeting student needs has led ACE’s incredible growth from 2005 to 2025. We’re proud to have redefined higher education and will continue to do higher education differently.

Experience how ACE is different by finding the right program for you to continue your educational journey. Explore our fully online degrees and certificates.

¹Source: Internal Research June 2024

The world looks a lot different now than it did in 2005, the year ACE was founded. But the motivation that drove our founders is largely the same as our motivation today – create a way for working adults to access truly affordable education that can move their careers forward. 

Back in 2005, our founders asked themselves, “How can we provide teachers with master’s degrees for less than $5,000?” It seemed like an impossible proposition. And yet, through intentional program design, a practical and tailored curriculum, and a school district partnership, we were able to make it happen. 

Our first cohort was just 24 students, all of them teachers looking to advance their careers. And when they started to get leadership positions, word of ACE’s master’s degree spread. We went from 24 students to 500, all looking for the same education and opportunities that ACE could provide. 

This was the first time we proved that higher education could be done differently from traditional colleges and universities. And since then, we have proved this over and over again. 

• While other institutions bank on the money student loans provide through Title IV funding, we deliberately choose not to participate in the program.Ěý

• While other institutions raise tuition, we haven’t done so since 2016, allowing 86% of our students to graduate without debt.Ěý

• While other institutions offer online coursework that are adaptations of their in-person programs, our courses are native to the online environment, designed digitally from the ground up to take advantage of all the tools online education has to offer.Ěý

ACE in 2025 looks a lot different than ACE in 2005. We now serve upwards of 11,000 active students, 44,000 alumni and provide over 60 programs at every academic level to professionals in a wide range of fields. But our core is still the same. We still design programs intentionally, with practical and relevant curriculum, and we still partner with school districts, businesses and organizations to create affordable continuing education opportunities. 

Most importantly, we are still working every day to provide a way for working adults to access truly affordable education that can move their careers forward. It’s perhaps even more important now than it was in 2005, considering United States student loan debt sits at a . ACE has always sought to be a solution to this problem by proving that higher education can and should be done differently, and we will continue to do so, lighting the way forward for not just our students but all students who deserve the opportunity that higher education provides. 

Experience how ACE is different by finding the right program for you to continue your educational journey. Explore our fully online degrees and certificates.