CCME GRAPEVINE
ACME–What is it? The October 2011 issue of MAE provided great background information regarding the Council on Colleges and Military Educators (CCME) and its relationship with state ACMEs (Thank you Gary Woods!). However, with the growing interest in ACMEs and CCME, I felt a more colloquial version of what ACMEs are and their benefit would be appropriate. Attendance at the 2012 CCME conference in Orlando had record-setting numbers of first-time attendees, who brought questions not only about CCME but about ACMEs. Additionally, a number of the ACME organizations held meetings and presentations during the CCME conference. ACME, as the name suggests, is an advisory council on military education at the state level. Currently, there are 14 active state ACMEs: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas and the South (COMETS), Virginia and Washington. There are also a number of states not listed that have institutions interested in pursuing ACMEs for their state. Even though this focus began primarily for active duty personnel, there has been a steady migration to supporting veterans and their families as well, and deservedly so. As a growing number of veterans exit the military and pursue a degree, the need for educational assistance is greater than ever. ACMEs typically consist of leaders from institutions in their respective states who simply have a sincere and dedicated concern for our military members and their families. These leaders, while representing different institutions around the country, all share an authentic desire and drive to contribute resources in an effort to resolve challenges experienced by military families as they navigate their educational journey. Bringing these organizations together in a collaborative effort creates a more powerful and knowledgeable resource than if each operated independently. Additionally, within the ACME organizations there are often active duty and retired military members as well as base educational services officers (ESOs) from within the state. Having military members and ESOs participate with the ACMEs provides the direct connection the institutions need to fully understand the issues that are subjective www.MAE-kmi.com
to their state and particular locations around the state. Membership numbers in state ACMEs vary by each organization, ranging from around 20 or 30 up to over 100. Members in the ACMEs are all connected to the military in some fashion. Many members operate directly with the military programs within their institutions, while others are faculty and administrators who work with military students. These many different connections provide a variety of conduits to the military and their families during their educational experience. Connecting these conduits with the base ESOs can often help solve a problem and also effect institutional change in support of military students. Some institutions are able to waive application fees, provide discounted tuition rates and dedicate counselors for military students. A large part of what ACMEs do is to liaison with state legislative leaders to affect change at the state level as needed to support military members. One example now taken for granted is in-state residency: Providing in-state residency status to active duty servicemembers under orders and their families is a significant accomplishment that was driven by ACME organizations. This legislative liaison function is the primary reason ACMEs were formed in the 1970s. In this sense, working with state legislature and the decision-makers for state policy that directly affect military personnel and their families is one of the most important aspects of an ACME. Most ACMEs have an annual get-together, such as a conference, symposium or workshop, which provides members the opportunity to interact directly. The agenda is driven by each ACME’s planning committee and goals and features professional training topics on military support. Additionally, legislative representatives attend for direct communication with the educational institutions, ESOs and military personnel who are experiencing specific issues as a result of state as well as federal policy. An advantage that state ACMEs have over the national organization CCME is their smaller size—ACME meetings are typically a more intimate gathering, which fosters very intense and productive discussion along with sharing of information and ideas.
However, the partnerships ACMEs have with CCME are vital to the growth and strength of the ACME organizations, as CCME embraces the ACMEs at the annual conferences and provides a strong professional development forum. Why should you join your state ACME? The answer is simple if you have a sincere concern for and are supportive of our military members and their families: Your state ACME can provide strong resources for this deserving cause. Participating with your state ACME will provide a network with a variety of individuals who, even though they work for different institutions and organizations, all share a common goal of support for our military personnel. As the ACME liaison for CCME, I have personally met most of the ACME presidents and many of the members of the different state ACMEs. While many of these folks are veterans, many are not, yet they are no less committed. I am confident the state ACMEs’ leadership teams are clearly focused on what is best for our military personnel and their families. In a recent discussion on this very topic with the Virginia and Georgia ACME presidents, it became very clear to me that the dedication permeating these organizations is pure. I am proud to be part of this ACME and CCME network and am excited to see what this powerful collaboration of patriots accomplishes next. O
Joycelyn Groot
Note from Joycelyn Groot, president of CCME: For this month’s CCME Grapevine, I’d like to thank Marc Churchwell from the University of West Florida for his informative article on ACMEs. Make sure you plan on attending the 2013 CCME Symposium at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel, February 25-28, 2013. MAE 7.3 | 25