The Associated Colleges of the Midwest: A Consortium of Excellence
The Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM) stands as a consortium of 14 nationally-recognized, highly-selective, private small liberal arts colleges primarily located in the American Midwestern states. These institutions, deeply rooted in American history and often connected to religious communities, have cultivated close relationships with peer institutions across the nation.
A Legacy of Collaboration and Shared Vision
Founded in 1958, the Associated Colleges of the Midwest emerged from a shared vision of member institutions seeking collective impact in undergraduate liberal arts education. Its original members-Beloit, Lawrence, Ripon, Coe, Cornell, Grinnell, Carleton, St. The ACM's establishment reflects a commitment to enriching residential liberal arts education through collaboration, professional development, research, and shared resources.
Membership and Affiliations
The majority of the ACM member schools are also members of the Annapolis Group alongside various other prestigious colleges from across the country. Many are also members of similar groups, including the Oberlin Group, the Consortium of Liberal Arts Colleges (CLAC), the Selective Liberal Arts Consortium (SLAC) or the Small College Consortium (SCC).
The 14 colleges are located in five states: Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Governance and Structure
ACM is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization under Illinois law and relies on its own governance rather than legislative mandate. ACM is governed by a Board of Directors composed of presidents from each member college. The Board rotates leadership through roles such as Chair and Vice Chair-often held by presidents from Macalester College, Lawrence University or similar members. An Executive Committee of college leaders manages budget and operational priorities.
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The ACM Secretariat, based in Chicago, executes plans under the direction of a President (currently Lisa Jasinski) and a professional staff responsible for programming, partnerships and day‑to-day coordination. The ACM secretariat also supports the colleges with marketing and promotion efforts, strategic management and recruitment needs, diversity and inclusion programmes and administrative functions.
Key Initiatives and Programs
The Associated Colleges of the Midwest is an essential aspect of life at its member colleges with various common schemes and initiatives being championed and a broad range of training and networking events being scheduled.
One of the ACM's largest initiatives is coordination of several off-campus study programs, which are available to students at any college or university, though many participants come from the ACM member institutions. ACM off-campus study programs have been offered since 1960. Study programs include both domestic programs and international programs (study abroad). ACM promotes global engagement primarily through its international study away programs, which allow students from any member campus to study in Botswana, Brazil, Costa Rica, India, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Tanzania and Western Europe.
Earlier this year, we put that belief into action through the inaugural ACM Athletics Academy. Athletics leaders from across the Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM) recently gathered for lunch and conversation near Washington, DC-creating space for connection, reflection, and learning as a consortium while in town for this year’s NCAA Convention. This new program brings together coaches and athletics professionals from ACM colleges to connect, learn, and reflect on their vital role as educators, mentors, and leaders in the lives of student-athletes. The learning continues with virtual sessions, and there’s still time to join us for the second in-person Athletics Academy on May 27 at Cornell College.
The Academic Leadership Fellows program reflects ACM’s deep commitment to developing and empowering academic leaders who strengthen and sustain the mission of small liberal arts colleges. Throughout their two days together, fellows reflected on their evolving identities as faculty stepping into leadership roles, applied change management frameworks to their campus projects, and exchanged project updates and feedback with their peers.
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More than 40 staff participants from Beloit College, Lawrence University, and Ripon College came together at Ripon for a day of shared learning, discussion, and skill-building focused on leading and managing change in today’s evolving higher education environment.
The day will start with the Dallas Counselor Institute for high school and independent college counselors. The institute creates space for timely conversation around topics like college selection, the application process, financial aid, enrollment, and student success-along with opportunities to connect directly with representatives from all participating campuses. That evening, the Midwest College Showcase will host the Dallas College Fair for prospective students and families. This convening created valuable space for connection and shared learning among colleagues who play a pivotal role on their campuses.
Impact and Future Directions
As we wrap up 2025, we’re reflecting on a year shaped by collaboration and shared purpose. This year, the Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM) advanced our collective work by launching a new strategic framework, convening 18 in-person consortial group meetings, welcoming a new cohort of Academic Leadership Fellows, and hosting a retreat to strengthen grant-seeking capacity across our campuses. These initiatives underscore how collaboration across the consortium cultivates strong academic and administrative leadership, aligns efforts around member priorities, and deepens the difference liberal arts colleges make for students and communities.
Today, ACM continues to multiply the impact of its members through coordinated initiatives that expand reach and deepen quality at scale. ACM remains a nimble and independent force for collective innovation.
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