People First Is Focus of ACT’s Future

There’s a reason “put people first” is at the top of the list of ACT’s four new strategic directions for the future.

“ACT’s vision going forward is to become much more customer-centric, in ways we never have before. We are changing how we interact and communicate with our customers, so we can listen to them, better understand them, and provide them with the tools they need to be successful,” said ACT CEO Jon Whitmore.

ACT CEO Jon Whitmore and Janet Godwin work closely together on corporate-wide initiatives and projects. Godwin was recently promoted to the role of chief of staff and chief accountability officer, one of several new positions ACT has created to help guide the organization’s future.

“Empowered employees” is also part of ACT’s new enhanced focus on people. Employees will have a clear understanding of their roles in the new vision of the organization and how they can maximize their skills to help ACT get where it needs to go. Each unit of the organization will be continuously examining its work and identifying areas for improvement.

Several issues affecting education and the workforce are prompting ACT to operate differently in the future, said Whitmore. “The Common Core State Standards mean we’re going to have to adjust our assessments to match those standards. The current mismatch between the skills people have and the requirements of the workplace means we need to offer innovative solutions that help people obtain the skills for the jobs that are available now and in the future.”

ACT’s new vision links education and workforce development. “They are not separate,” said Whitmore. “People continuously move in and out of education or training and the workforce throughout their lives. We are here to help people along the way, as they advance from one point to the next.”

In the future, ACT will be providing information that goes beyond data. “We will continue to provide assessment results as we’ve always done, but we’ll go further, linking those results to other data sources that can help people determine what they need to do after taking our assessments. We’ll help educators, students, employers, and workers interpret the data so they can make improvements to curriculum and teaching, meet higher standards, determine job requirements, and prepare for career opportunities that align with their skills.”

ACT is creating new positions to help the organization fulfill its new vision. Janet Godwin was recently promoted to the role of chief of staff and chief accountability officer. In this position, she oversees corporate-wide initiatives and projects, ensuring they are on target and on schedule. Godwin, who has been with ACT since 1990, previously served as vice president of operations. National searches are under way to hire a chief innovation officer and vice president, and a chief operating officer, administration.

“Our bold new vision and strategic directions require new ways of thinking, working, and interacting with those we serve. These are exciting times for ACT, as we continue to enhance our not-for-profit work in helping people advance their lives,” said Whitmore.