Dr. Ted Mitchell

The Role of the University in a Democratic Society

Ted Mitchell is an experienced educator, innovator, and policy maker. His long career in education has included roles in academia, federal education policy, and organizational leadership, with a special focus on access to high-quality outcomes for all students. He is currently President of the American Council on Education (ACE), which advocates for the vital role of colleges and universities in advancing the public good and contributing to social and economic mobility.

Before joining ACE in 2017, Dr. Mitchell served as the Under Secretary of Education for the United States Department of Education, where he was responsible for overseeing federal higher education policy and ensuring that education programs contributed to a strong and inclusive workforce.

He has also held key leadership positions at academic institutions.  He has been vice chancellor and dean of the School of Education and Information Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles; professor and chair of the Department of Education at Dartmouth College (NH); president of the California State Board of Education; and CEO of the NewSchools Venture Fund, a nonprofit venture philanthropy funding charter schools and education technology startups at the K-12 level. This blending of a strong academic background and extensive administrative experience has shaped his thoughtful approach to improving educational systems and policies.

Throughout his career, Dr. Mitchell has been a prominent voice on issues related to equity in education, college affordability, and the role of higher education in preparing students for the future. He has served on numerous boards and advisory groups and is a current board member of Coursera, Khan Academy, Occidental College, TIAA, Education Quality Outcomes Standards Board, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, and Credential Engine. He is highly regarded for his ability to build strong relationships across various sectors of education, government, and industry.

Dr. Mitchell earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees and his Ph.D  from Stanford University, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.