The Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics Student Advising and Enrichment Center (SAEC) distinguishes ACE as a leader in student service. The center emphasizes four core principles: experiential learning, personalized advising, professional development, and career exploration.

Private gifts, including the Tom Frey Fund, have provided funding essential to making student services and programs available and financially accessible.

The following are a sampling of the opportunities made possible by the ACE Student Advising and Enrichment Center.

The SAEC provides support for the ACE Ambassadors, a group of students who represent the department in recruiting and other marketing aspects. Caroline Helton, one of the departmental advisors, whose role is partially supported by the SAEC, serves as the ACE Ambassador advisor. She has created a curriculum for the ambassadors to further develop leadership and communication skills.

The newly renovated ACE student center provides a welcoming space for current and future Agricultural and Consumer Economics students. Student organizations and class project groups gather in the room located on the second floor of Mumford Hall. The ACE Ambassadors also meet prospective students and their parents in the ACE student center. In efforts to increase student enrollment, it is extremely valuable to have a location to host recruiting visits.  

The SAEC is also furthering the ACE departmental presence on social media. Two student interns are gaining professional experience while creating videos and a social media strategy. Find ACE on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Weibo (used primarily in China).

To learn more about the Student Advising and Enrichment Center or the Tom Frey Fund, contact Matt Smith, Assistant Director of Development, at 217-333-9355 or msmi@illinois.edu.