ACG Strategic Plan

ACG 150 | Advancing the Legacy, Growing Greece
A plan to leverage education for economic and social impact

Mission

To add distinctive and sustainable value to our students, Greece, American education, Hellenic heritage, and the global community through transformative teaching, scholarship and service

Goals and Objectives

To develop the American University of Greece (when the constitution allows) as Greece’s premier, independent, non-profit university

Core Values

ACG and AUG are dedicated to integrating creatively:

American education best practices
Greece’s unique intellectual and cultural heritage
An institutional ethos of mutual respect
Inclusion and responsible action
High achievement and service

Historical Perspective

1875

American Collegiate Institute founded as a school for girls in Smyrna, Asia Minor by Congregational women from Massachusetts

1923

At the invitation of Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos relocated to Athens, Greece following the Asia Minor catastrophe

1927

First post-secondary courses

1932

Relocated to Helleniko campus

1936

Renamed Orlinda Childs Pierce College

1941-44

Operation in various Athens locations during Nazi occupation

1961

Governing authority granted by United Church of Christ to independent Board of Trustees

1963

Recognized by the Greek state as equivalent to public schools

1965

Relocation from Helleniko to Aghia Paraskevi campus

1969

First bachelor’s degrees awarded

1971

Opening of Downtown Campus

1973

Undergraduate division named Deree College in honor of Greek American, William S. Deree

1979

Renamed The American College of Greece

1981

Deree College accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

1984

Pierce College transitions to co-education, complying with Greek government mandate

1992

ALBA Association founded by Federation of Greek Industries and Hellenic Management Association as sponsoring organization of Alba Graduate Business School

1994

Junior College launched at Downtown Campus

1995

Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry becomes third institutional member of ALBA Association

2004

Deree College offers first graduate programs

2007

Association of MBAs (AMBA) accredits Alba MBA

2008

Institute of Global Affairs

2009

Junior College teach-out; two Alba MSc programs receive EPAS accreditation

2011

Deree College begins dual degree system through validation agreement with Open University (UK)

2012

ACG and ALBA form strategic alliance, transferring Deree graduate business programs to ALBA

2014

Naming of Frances Rich School of Fine and Performing Arts for American sculptor, Frances I. Rich

2015

Center of Excellence in Sustainability; AMBA accredits Alba Executive MBA

2016

Pierce International Baccalaureate Diploma Program; Institute of Public Health Greece Youth Anti-Tobacco initiative funded by Behrakis Foundation

2017

Alba Graduate Business School integrated into ACG

2020

Institute for Hellenic Culture and the Liberal Arts; Institute for Hellenic Growth and Prosperity (Centers of Excellence; Research, Technology, Innovation Network)

2022

East Campus acquired and renovated; Pierce P-K / Kindergarten and Elementary School on East Campus; Pierce is first Greek national curriculum school with US accreditation (Middle States Association); ACG – Research Center; The American University of Greece approved by MA Board of Higher Education

SWOT Analysis

ACG and AUG value proposition: affordable,
American, quality education
Greece/Athens destination appeal
Link to US educational system
Entrepreneurial institutional culture
Pierce, Deree, Alba premier brand position in Greece
Link to Greek business community
10-year enrollment trend: quantity, quality, diversity
Accreditations: NECHE, MSA, AMBA, EPAS
Campuses/facilities quality
Financial position – unrestricted endowment
Alumni size, placement, prominence
High overall faculty/staff satisfaction

Brand awareness, especially US
Leadership succession depth
US education best practice experience gaps
Early stage culture of philanthropy

AUG: academic, enrollment, fundraising
Development of campuses
Development of organizational culture
Academic and co-curricular program
evolution/expansion (Schools; majors; online;
Executive Education; impact)
Alumni and major donor engagement
US/EU partnerships and funding (ACG-RC)\
Accreditations: AACSB (Alba/Deree), Other
Faculty development: teaching/research;
collegial governance

Article 16: current limitations, future uncertainty
Underdeveloped non-profit educational context
Political change
Demographic trends
Traditional and non-traditional competition:
enrollment, employment

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2019 Annual Report

As the material contained in the following pages of this Annual Report makes clear, 2019 was another year of progress for The American College of Greece. Each of the College’s three divisions – Pierce, Deree, Alba – participated in and contributed to this progress. As we look to 2020, the College’s strategic plan, ACG 150 | Advancing the Legacy, Growing Greece, will continue to be our guiding light with its dual, complementary emphases on institutional and national development." President David G. Horner

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