What ASHE does

ASHE (Association for the Study of Higher Education) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit scholarly membership association founded in 1976 and headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon (with an executive office in Washington, DC), serving over 2,000 higher education scholars, graduate students, early-career faculty, and administrators. Its core offerings are a flagship annual conference held each November (the 51st is scheduled for San Juan, Puerto Rico in November 2026), peer-reviewed publications led by The Review of Higher Education, and a multi-tiered professional development portfolio that includes the Early Career Faculty Cohort, Mid-Career Faculty Workshop Series, Graduate Student Policy Seminar, International Scholars Workshop, and the newly introduced Public Scholarship Studio. The organization monetizes primarily through annual membership dues, tiered conference registration (in-person and complimentary Virtual Conference Day for in-person registrants), corporate and institutional sponsorships (covering roughly 20% of in-person event expenses), publication subscriptions, professional development fees, and merchandise sales.

Its technology stack is conventional association infrastructure rather than a proprietary platform: Novi AMS powers the membership portal (ASHE MemberCompass), conference proposal and registration workflows, and the merch store; Zoom is used for virtual events; podcasts are distributed via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. ASHE differentiates less through technology than through content and community: it operates nine formal entity groups (Councils, Networks, and Collectives — including CAHEP, CEP, CIHE, CPPHE, AFAN, GSN, CAHE, and CUIHE) that segment members by topic, career stage, and identity, alongside a tiered awards and recognition system (the 2025-launched ASHE Fellows Program, plus the Mid-Career, Public Scholarship, Graduate Student, Indigenous/Decolonization, and Graduate Student Poster awards). Marketing and distribution are predominantly direct via the website, newsletters, podcast, social channels, and event-based recruitment, with the annual conference functioning as the principal acquisition and retention mechanism.

Name

ASHE

Legal name

Association for the Study of Higher Education

Website

https://ashe.ws

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ASHE is a 501(c)(3) scholarly membership association founded in 1976 serving over 2,000 higher education scholars, graduate students, and administrators through an annual conference, peer-reviewed publications, professional development programs, and nine formal entity groups, with revenue from dues, registration, sponsorships, and publications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Scholarly Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Book Publishers (513130), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (81399)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Services-Educational Services (8200), Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scholarly Society & Association Publishing (EDAGAFAK), Scholarly Societies & Conference Proceedings Publishing (MPAJABAK), Academic & Education Conference Organizers (THAHACAE), Academic & Scientific Conferences (MPAGAGAD)

Keywords

• Higher education research
• Scholarly membership association
• Academic conference services
• Professional development programs
• Peer-reviewed publications

Headquarters

HQ city

Beaverton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees providing access to community of nearly 2,000 higher education scholars, conference discounts, professional development events, and access to The Review of Higher Education
2. Annual Conference Registration: Registration fees for in-person and virtual conference attendance. Registration covers approximately 80% of in-person event expenses, with sponsors covering the remaining 20%. Virtual Conference Day registration is complimentary for in-person registrants.
3. Sponsorships and Exhibitor Fees: Corporate and institutional sponsorships for conference events, sessions, and programs. Sponsors receive recognition before and during the conference. Exhibition table fees for vendors and publishers.
4. Publications: Revenue from The Review of Higher Education (print subscription) and other publication sales
5. Professional Development Events: Fees for workshops, seminars, and professional development programs including Early Career Faculty Cohort, Mid-Career Faculty Workshop Series, and Graduate Student Policy Seminar
6. Merchandise and Store: Merch store sales including event-related items and scholarly resources

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ASHE operates as a scholarly membership association serving over 2,000 higher education scholars, faculty, graduate students, and administrators. Its core offerings center on an annual November conference, peer-reviewed publications (The Review of Higher Education, Higher Education Report, Reader Series, Reports), tiered membership with professional development programs, formal entity groups (Councils, Networks, Collectives), and an awards and recognition system.

Product overview

The Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) is a scholarly membership organization serving over 2,000 higher education scholars. ASHE operates a platform-plus-services model centered on its Annual General Conference (held each November in rotating locations), peer-reviewed publications (The Review of Higher Education, Higher Education Report, Reader Series, and Reports), professional development programs (workshops, seminars, mentoring programs), and a comprehensive awards recognition system. The organization also supports 9 formal entity groups including Councils (CAHEP, CIHE, CPPHE, CAHE, CUIHE, CEP), Networks (AFAN, GSN), and the new Fellows Program. ASHE launched its Public Scholarship Studio in 2026 to help scholars communicate research beyond academia. Additional offerings include podcasts, grants, scholarships, Career Center services, Conference Ombuds services, and educational resources like the Boriken Syllabus and Denver Syllabus.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Annual General Conference Annual premier gathering of higher education scholars featuring research presentations, symposia, and professional development, held each November with in-person and virtual attendance options and including pre-conferences organized by ASHE entity groups (CAHEP, CEP, CIHE, CPPHE, CAHE).
• The Review of Higher Education (RHE) ASHE's flagship peer-reviewed journal publishing scholarship on college and university issues, available via membership access and as a paid print subscription of 4 issues per year.
• Higher Education Report ASHE publication providing in-depth analysis and research on higher education topics.
• Reader Series Curated collection of scholarly readings for higher education researchers and practitioners.
• Reports ASHE research reports providing insights and analysis on higher education issues.
• Public Scholarship Studio Conference pathway for developing public-facing scholarship for audiences beyond academia, including policymakers, practitioners, community organizations, and the broader public, through policy briefs, zines, op-eds, and arts-based methods.
• Professional Development Programs Year-round professional development offerings including the ACPA-ASHE Presidential Symposium, CEP Mentor-Protégé Program, Early Career Faculty Cohort, Graduate Student Policy Seminar, International Scholars Workshop, Mid-Career Faculty Workshop Series, New & Aspiring Academic Leaders Workshop, Research Workshop Series, and Scholars Strategy Network Events.
• ASHE Fellows Program Recognition program for members with substantial contributions to higher education scholarship and ASHE values of integrity, inclusion, equity, diversity, and advancement of knowledge.
• ASHE Awards Program Association-wide awards program including the Mid-Career Award, Public Scholarship Award, Graduate Student Award, Indigenous/Decolonization Scholarship and Engagement Award, Graduate Student Poster Award, 8 Council Awards, and 10 association-wide awards such as Dissertation of the Year.
• Conference Ombuds Services Neutral, confidential, informal, and independent resource for conference attendees to address concerns including harassment, discrimination, or Code of Conduct violations, available during the Annual Conference with trained ombudspersons.
• ASHE Career Center Career placement services and job postings platform for higher education professionals, integrated with ASHE membership and accessible to members and non-members.
• ASHE Presidential Podcast Series Multi-season podcast featuring conversations with scholars, practitioners, and leaders exploring higher education topics, including seasons focused on themes such as 'The Bend in the Arc', 'I Am A Scholar', and 'Higher Ed Research: Purposes, Politics, & Practices'; available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
• Boriken Syllabus Educational resource created for ASHE's 2021 Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, organized into four sections: Honoring Place, Colonialism/Sovereignty, Contested Space, and Puerto Rican Higher Education System.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200 scholarly presentations at the 50th Annual Conference
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Marsal Family School of Education, University of MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Primary sponsor of the ASHE Public Scholarship Studio, a conference pathway for developing public-facing scholarship. The Studio enables scholars to translate research for policymakers, practitioners, community organizations, and the broader public through policy briefs, zines, and public essays.
• ECMC FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Conference Kick-Off sponsor for the 50th Anniversary Conference. ECMC Foundation's support enabled community welcoming experience including greeting by Kiowa Elder Andy Cozad.
• AscendiumcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Sponsored the Induction Luncheon celebrating the 25 inaugural ASHE Fellows, scholars whose work has deeply impacted the study of higher education.
• Southern Illinois University EdwardsvillecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Co-sponsored the world-premiere documentary 'Things We Imagined' at the 50th Anniversary Conference, celebrating scholarly creative expression.
• Sacramento State Black Honors CollegecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Co-sponsored the world-premiere documentary 'Things We Imagined' at the 50th Anniversary Conference.
• McBee InstituteminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Sponsored the Joint Pre-Conference Reception for CEP, CAHEP, CIHE, and CPPHE Pre-Conferences, fostering cross-disciplinary connections among nearly 400 attendees.
• STATAminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Sponsored research workshops at the 50th Anniversary Conference, providing professional development in research methods for ASHE members.
• Scholars Strategy NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnered with ASHE to present policy brief and op-ed writing workshops designed to translate research into public-facing action as part of the Public Scholarship Studio.
• Sloan FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Co-sponsored the 50th Anniversary Celebration alongside SIUE, University of Pittsburgh, and Central Michigan University.
• University of PittsburghcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Co-sponsored the 50th Anniversary Celebration and the Presidential Address by President Eboni M. Zamani-Gallaher.
• Central Michigan UniversitycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Co-sponsored the 50th Anniversary Celebration alongside SIUE, Sloan Foundation, and University of Pittsburgh.
• University of MarylandminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Sponsored the conversation between Drs. Beverly Daniel Tatum and Sharon Fries-Britt exploring leadership insights from Dr. Tatum's book 'Peril and Promise: College Leadership in Turbulent Times.'
• Puerto Rico Convention CentercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerVenue partner for the 51st Annual Conference November 3-6, 2026 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Convention center hosts conference sessions, exhibitions, meetings, and receptions.
• American Indian College FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity engagement partner during Denver conference, with ASHE members participating in day of engagement at the organization.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• American Educational Research Association (AERA): The largest general education research association, with multiple divisions and special-interest groups that overlap with ASHE's higher-education-as-discipline focus. Both compete for the same scholars, run annual conferences, publish peer-reviewed journals, and offer member-driven awards — the closest direct peer in scope and model.
• ACPA – College Personnel Association: Professional association for student affairs and higher-education practitioners. ASHE partners with ACPA on the ACPA-ASHE Presidential Symposium, evidencing overlapping membership and shared conference audiences in higher-education research and practice.
• Association for the Study of Higher Education International (ASHE-Intl equivalent): ASHE itself includes the Council on International Higher Education (CIHE) — there is no direct international twin association, but regional higher-education research societies (e.g., EAIR, SRHE) operate the same model for non-U.S. scholars.

Broad incumbents

• NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education: Larger professional association for student affairs and higher-education administrators. Competes for the same administrator segment of ASHE's membership and runs adjacent annual conferences, publications, and leadership programs.
• American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS): Large general scholarly society with a comparable model: membership dues, flagship peer-reviewed journal, annual meeting, Fellows recognition program, and policy-engagement arm. Provides the archetype ASHE's Fellows Program and Public Scholarship Studio are emulating.
• American Political Science Association (APSA): Discipline-based scholarly association with membership, peer-reviewed journals, annual conference, awards, and an analogous organizational model. Useful comparable for ASHE's structural economics as a mid-sized discipline society.
• American Council on Education (ACE): Major higher-education coordinating body that conducts policy research, convenes leaders, and produces influential reports. Competes for the policy-facing segment of ASHE's audience and offers an alternative venue for translational scholarship that ASHE's Public Scholarship Studio targets.
• Council of Independent Colleges (CIC): U.S. association serving small and mid-sized private colleges; runs leadership programs and convenes presidents and senior administrators. Comparable in serving higher-education administrators with professional development and convening functions.
• AACSB International: Business school accreditation body that also publishes, convenes conferences, and runs recognition programs. While accreditation-focused, it competes for the same higher-education scholarship and professional-development attention from administrators and scholars.

Regional players

• Society for Research into Higher Education (SRHE): UK-based scholarly association for higher-education research with membership, peer-reviewed publications, and annual conference. Comparable in mission and model to ASHE but serves primarily UK/European scholars.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutu.be/IbzYSyLR1o4
• Xx.com/ASHEoffice
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-for-the-study-of-higher-education

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ASHE