Higher Education
Welcome to ACSI Higher Education
Institutions of Christian higher education have a crucial role in training future leaders, educators, and workers for service worldwide. They commendably fill this role and continue to meet the critical need for well-trained, biblically sound teachers, administrators, leaders, and others.
As colleges and universities seek to be effective in preparing young hearts and minds for their vocations, ACSI desires to assist in that process and partner with higher education institutions worldwide. ACSI membership offers Christian colleges and universities
the opportunity to engage their EE–12 colleagues in a variety of settings. ACSI member colleges cooperate in the Distinguished Christian High School Student Program and the Higher Education Accreditation Program.
Higher Education Accreditation Program (HEAP)
The Higher Education Accreditation Program (HEAP) is offered to currently accredited ACSI member Christian liberal arts colleges, universities, and Bible colleges. Colleges and universities seeking to participate in the program must give evidence of a commitment to preparing teachers and administrators to serve in Christian schools and must show they are encouraging their graduates to prayerfully consider serving in Christian schools around the world.
Resources
ACSI Welcomes New Director for Public Policy
Colorado Springs, CO– The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Claire Nance Klakring as the Director for Public Policy. In this vital role, Klakring will join the Public Policy and Legal Affairs team to advocate for public policies that advance and protect Christian schools and their communities at national and state levels.
ACSI’s Vice President for Public Policy and Legal Affairs, George Tryfiates, shared his excitement for Klakring joining the team.
“I am delighted to welcome Claire to ACSI’s Public Policy team,” he said. “She has shown she has the enthusiasm, capacity, and vision to take Christian education issues to the next level in Washington. She’ll play an important role in maximizing ACSI’s impact and I, for one, can’t wait to get started!”
Key responsibilities of her role include advocating for policies that align with ACSI’s mission and values, building and maintaining strategic relationships with key stakeholders, policymakers, and government officials, and serving as a communication liaison for the Public Policy and Legal Affairs team.
In her new role, Klakring will monitor relevant legislation, regulations, and educational trends to provide strategic recommendations, and will collaborate with the National Director for State Advocacy on legislative priorities.
Klakring shared her anticipation as she steps into her new role.
"I am thrilled to join the dedicated team at ACSI to advocate to expand school choice and protect our freedom of religion in the halls of our nation’s Capitol,” she said. “Our country is at a crossroads, and it is vital that we speak truth to power now more than ever. Together, we can ensure a Christ-centered education is available to all for generations to come."
Klakring previously served as Vice President for Firehouse Strategies, Communications Director for Reps. Michelle Steel (R-CA) and Bruce Westerman (R-AR), and Government Communications Advisor in the first Trump White House.
Her extensive experience and strategic vision will further ACSI’s commitment to providing support and resources for Christian schools across the nation.
This hiring underscores ACSI’s dedication to shaping a policy environment that upholds the values of Christian education.
For more information about ACSI’s Public Policy and Legal Affairs initiatives or to learn how you can support Christian education, visit https://www.acsi.org/public-policy-legal-affairs.