ACT's Mission

Guiding every learner, along every pathway, every time.

We Help Learners Succeed

ACT’s Center for Impact and Learning works to bridge opportunity gaps and advance learner-centered solutions for people of all backgrounds, regardless of zip code or circumstance. The Center builds on ACT’s commitment to help every learner succeed by addressing systemic barriers to education and workplace advancement. Through strategic investments, cross-sector partnerships, and targeted resources, we elevate proven strategies and scale what works.

Many learners face unique challenges on their journeys. We collaborate directly with visionary leaders and community organizations to build clearer pathways to postsecondary and career success guided by authentic partnerships, continuous learning, and measurable outcomes.

Past, Present, Progress

More than 65 years ago, ACT’s co-founder E.F. Lindquist envisioned college entrance exams as tools to motivate learners, not rank them, and as tools to help learners stay on track for wherever their postsecondary path may lead. No matter the circumstances or challenges, we are committed to advancing this vision by opening doors and keeping learners engaged, encouraged, and inspired to succeed.

Today, the Center for Impact and Learning specifically advances Lindquist’s vision by serving as a catalyst for positive academic and workforce outcomes for all learners. We empower every learner striving for personal and professional success with dedicated support and resources to reach their goals.

We are proud to advance ACT’s mission, contributing to our shared commitment to public good, learner impact, and access-centered outcomes.

Opening Doors, Together

We serve learners and those who champion their success. We learn from these vital allies, partners, and learners, elevating their voices to inform our programs and solutions. We create tools and build bridges to brighter futures, steadfast in our belief that talent is universal and flourishes with dedicated support. Some of the Center’s current and past collaborative stakeholders include:

  • American Council on Education (ACE)
  • Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents;
  • Better Make Room and Reach Higher;
  • Civic Nation;
  • College Advising Corps;
  • College Horizons;
  • College Promise Campaign;
  • Council for Opportunity in Education;
  • Excelencia in Education;
  • Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce;
  • National College Attainment Network;
  • NCCEP;
  • Phi Beta Sigma;
  • Scholarship Academy;
  • Students of African American Brotherhood;
  • Univision; and
  • 48 state college application campaigns

How We Create Impact

We lead and support ACT by:

  • Creating learning and networking opportunities to uplift promising strategies that support learner success.
  • Advancing inclusive research and data practices to better understand and respond to diverse lived experiences.
  • Building alliances with high-impact organizations that support learners of all backgrounds and abilities.
  • Promoting ACT’s mission via free programs and resources like the American College Application Campaign, ACT’s Fee Waiver program, the ACT Scholars program, ACT Giving Program, and many other programs and services designed to broaden access, opportunity, and success.
  • Engaging with learner voices to gather insights and lived experiences to inform ACT programs, research, and outreach through a National Learner Advisory Council.

Whether through national programs or local partnerships, we connect learners with the tools to prepare, apply, and succeed.

Our Commitment

We’re All in for Every Learner. Everywhere.

Fairness in education and the workforce demands more than belief. It requires creative, ongoing action. That’s why we strive to champion positive outcomes for learners in every facet of our work. We amplify the voices and strengths of today’s learners, use disaggregated data to uncover opportunities and spark solutions, and move swiftly and collaboratively to turn insight into impact. The Center for Impact and Learning connects with learners and supports them to become connected and credentialed, because high-quality credentials open doors. Through continuous learning, shared innovations, and relentless commitment, we advance real progress for aspiring learners everywhere.

Meet The Team