My Reflections
As a first-generation college student with more than three decades of higher education leadership experience, I have always understood the importance of access to higher education. I have always understood higher education to be a powerful equalizer, providing one of the most direct paths to social and economic mobility. I have always understood that the dedication of so many professionals are key to the unique and amazing higher education ecosystem. What I didn’t fully understand was that within this ecosystem there is a dedicated, brilliant group of individuals with a global brain trust beyond measure that together creates the organization so many know and love - Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE).
Each day of my first few months as ECE’s third president (following in the never-to-be-filled shoes of ECE’s founder, Jim Frey, and longtime president, Margit Schatzman) I am reminded that the depth of knowledge, dedication, and diligence of our amazing ECE team is second to none. Their passion and commitment to our work is beyond measure and the far-reaching impact their work has on individuals, families, and communities is commendable. Additionally, I am uncovering a web of associations, organizations, local networks, and leaders that support the intricate and extensive world of international education and global mobility. I continue to be impressed by every interaction, newsletter, and webinar and realize I have barely cracked open the door to this vast world.
As a higher education leader, I knew ECE’s work was critically important and that they were a trusted partner. I am now beginning to understand the true critical nature of ECE’s commitment in ensuring individuals’ educational qualifications are fairly and accurately recognized. By approaching credential evaluation with fairness and diligence, ECE plays a vital role in bridging gaps between countries and cultures, ensuring that talented individuals are not overlooked or undervalued due to differences in educational systems. One of ECE’s senior leaders shared with me how Jim Frey would explain our work in this way, “ECE’s credential evaluation work helps make sure doctors don’t end up as taxi drivers and taxi drivers don’t end up as doctors”. Our work is critical to global mobility and contributes to building more inclusive, diverse, and competitive societies.
Beyond the Day-to-Day
Beyond the important day-to-day work of credential evaluations, I’ve learned about the incredible depth of knowledge and commitment ECE has towards thought leadership within our industry. Our teams share their expertise globally through presentations, workshops, training, and collaborative relationships. Our online collection of resources through ECE® Connection is beyond words – everything from credit and grade conversion practices, country-specific insights, to over 6,000 sample documents from over 170 countries, and education system charts and keys. Every higher education institution should be using our FREE ECE® Connection resource and accessing expanded resources through ECE® Connection Advantage. And, if that isn’t enough, I am beginning to understand the reach and blessing of our philanthropic work. ECE® Aid offers free credential evaluation reports for refugees and other displaced populations. Since 2016 ECE’s philanthropic commitment has been going strong and has positively impacted countless individuals and families like Muhumure who shared, “My family and I say thanks to ECE. Now I can see the future of my family [has] changed.”
We all know the higher education landscape, which ECE is deeply connected to, is marked by significant transformation. Nonetheless, the desire to support global mobility remains a focus, and ECE is well-positioned to support institutions in building pathways for individuals. Our work is centered around fairness, equity, and rigorous professional standards, and I see ECE continuing to be a critical partner in this space by ensuring all educational experiences are fully recognized by higher educational institutions and employers, thereby facilitating broader access and success.
ECE is also navigating shifting landscapes; challenges will inevitably arise. What is certain is that ECE will continue to distinguish itself by highlighting the long-term benefits of our mission-driven approach and our commitment to high-quality, unbiased evaluation of diverse credentials while supporting the well-being of our dedicated, amazing team and investing in a future that is human-centered and technology-supported.
Excited About the Future
My background in higher education leadership has instilled in me a strong appreciation for work that champions accessibility, inclusivity, and social mobility. Thus, I was drawn to ECE because of its mission-driven, nonprofit approach which emphasizes fairness, equity, and commitment to serving the public good. ECE’s focus on delivering unbiased, high-quality evaluations aligns with my own passion for ensuring that individuals, regardless of background, have the opportunity to succeed. My heart has always been with organizations that transform lives, and what I have come to understand in my very brief tenure with ECE is the true honor it is to contribute to an organization that plays a pivotal role in serving a global, diverse community helping individuals navigate their educational and professional journeys across borders, and I am excited to continue to drive and expand our reach.
By Stacy Riley
ECE President