» Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


,

 
AEC History and Mission
Our History

The history of AEC and CUAC goes back to 1962 when its predecessor, The Fund for Episcopal Colleges, was established at the Episcopal Church Center in New York. At that point membership was limited to the Presiding Bishop and the presidents of "independent, four year accredited colleges or universities, associated by history or tradition with the Protestant Episcopal Church". The purposes of the newly established organization were "to provide a framework for cooperative endeavor, to strengthen the member colleges and their programs, and to foster the intellectual and spiritual values implicit in their founding". In 1966, the act of incorporation was amended with a new name – the Association of Episcopal Colleges (AEC) - as it remains to this day.

Nine US based colleges along with Cuttington University College (Liberia) and Trinity College of Quezon City (Philippines), which have close historical links to the Episcopal Church, comprise AEC. Please check out the profile of our members here. To obtain your free catalogue of Episcopal Colleges published by AEC, please contact us.

Historically, the AEC programs evolved in two main directions: community service learning, and international college exchanges. Interest in these two areas resulted in the appointment of Dr. Linda Chisholm as AEC Director in 1985. Previously, in 1982, Dr. Chisholm founded the International Partnership for Service Learning (IPSL) that strives to "serve students, colleges, universities around the world by fostering programs that link volunteer service to the community and academic study." Both AEC and IPSL continue to work together on the development of the program of Service-Learning in both Episcopal Colleges and other American colleges, and also in colleges overseas. Please check out the list of the exchange programs here.

One of the AEC sponsored programs is the Charitable Service Scholarship Program (CSSP). CSSP recipient students receive financial support for their college tuition and fees as a reward for volunteering at a community agency near the campus. The volunteer activties may include anything from a soup kitchen to a community children’s programs. This pedagogy seeks to enhance student learning and understanding of intercultural issues and also calls institutions of higher education to use their resources and expertise in addressing human and social problems.


Our Mission
Consistent with the characteristics of our members as diverse, Episcopal Church related colleges; the Association of Episcopal Colleges seeks to:
  • develop in students and in college communities the commitment and skill to use education for the good of others as well as for themselves;
  • foster intercultural and international education and understanding;
  • encourage the examination and deepening of spiritual and ethical values while respecting the experience and beliefs of each student and teacher; and
  • support and advance the work of member institutions.

    • The Association of Episcopal Colleges supports campus ministry through conferences and publications and by working cooperatively with others in the Episcopal Church who believe that campus communities benefit from active programs of worship and spiritual reflection.

    Support for the member colleges is given through publications, news articles, promotional materials, and by serving as a liaison with the Episcopal Church. Fundraising for the overseas colleges is a special work of the Association of Episcopal Colleges.

    PRINTER FRIENDLY
    SEND TO A FRIEND