ACE Communications Evaluation Certification - 2025

Purpose

The ACE Communications Evaluation Certification is designed to equip communication professionals in agriculture, natural resources, and life sciences with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively develop and implement evaluation plans. This certification program will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the communications evaluation process, the role of analytics in data-driven decision-making, and hands-on experience in creating actionable evaluation plans for their organizations.

Target Audience

This certification is intended for professionals in communication roles within the agriculture, natural resources, and life sciences sectors who are responsible for assessing the impact of communication strategies and programs. It is ideal for those looking to improve their skills in program evaluation, analytics, and the application of CRM tools to enhance their organization's effectiveness and accountability. 

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the components of an evaluation plan and why it is essential for measuring success and informing future strategies.

2. Learn how to leverage CRM systems and analytics to track and analyze communication performance data.

3. Gain practical experience in developing a comprehensive evaluation plan tailored to your organization’s communication goals.

4. Build confidence in using data-driven insights to improve communication programs and

demonstrate their impact to stakeholders.

5. Connect with peers and experts to share best practices and enhance your evaluation

skills through hands-on learning.

Session Details

Session 1: Measuring and Reporting Your Communication Successes

Date/Time: Tuesday, March 18, 2025 – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM ET
Format: Virtual
Presenters: Chris Vivian and Laura Fischer

Session 2: Administrator Panel – Why It Matters

Date/Time: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 – 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM ET
Format: Virtual
Presenters: Leslie Edgar, CMC administrators, Dr. Albert Essel, Dr. Alton Thompson
Facilitator: Jennifer Alexander

Session 3: Marketing and Communications Analytics

Date/Time: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 - 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM ET
Format: Virtual
Presenter: Jon Emigh (Penn State), Co-presenter TBD

Session 4: Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan

Date/Time: Thursday, June 19, 2025 – 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (in-person)
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Presenters: Jennifer Alexander and Jason Ellis
Focus: A work session to create or update and receive peer feedback on your communication evaluation and reporting plan.

Costs

• Full Certification Program:

  • $200 (Professional)
  • $100 (Student)

• Virtual Sessions Only (March 18, April 22, May 20):

  • $50 (Professional)
  • $25 (Student)

• Post-Conference Workshop Only (June 18):

  • $100 (Professional)
  • $50 (Student)

Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your communication evaluation skills.

• Kelsey Armstrong Ph.D, Elon University
• ChaNae Bradley, Fort Valley State University
• Latasha Ford, Fort Valley State University
• Stacey Stearns, University of Connecticut