Our New Governance Model
ACA’s leadership has worked for the last five years to restructure our Governance model. With the approval of the ACA Bylaws in June 2025, the implementation process has begun to retire a 32-member Governing Council to seat a 15-member elected Board of Directors.
This year is pivotal in implementing this transition. It starts with the call for nominations for 11 Directors-at-Large, a President-Elect, a Treasurer-Elect and a Treasurer—ending with seating the new Board of Directors on July 1, 2026. In addition, ACA will launch a new Advisory Council starting July 1, 2026. The call for nominations will open late October 2027.
Legacy Governance Structure
Click the image below to see how ACA’s Governance was organized prior to the approved Bylaws update in 2025.
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New Governance Structure
Click the image below to see how ACA’s Governance will be structured beginning July 1, 2026.
Advisory Council
Consisting of elected representatives from ACA’s 20 divisions, four geographic regions and a student representative, ACA's Advisory Council advises the Board of Directors -- influencing policy, counseling the Board on practice concerns and informing it on the counseling profession. The Governing Council Representatives who are currently in the first or second year of their terms will roll into the Advisory Council on July 1, 2026. This body will have direct influence on the strategic direction ACA takes in addressing concerns of the members and the counseling professionals.
Board of Directors
The newly elected Board of Directors consists of the Officers, defined as the President, President-Elect, the Immediate Past President, the Treasurer, and the CEO who serves as the Board’s Secretary, and 11 at -large Directors elected in a contested election by the ACA membership. This is the governing body that has the fiduciary responsibility of overseeing the strategic direction and overall management of the association. It is in charge of the development and oversight of ACA’s vision and mission. It provides the foundation for the operations of the association and lays the future direction of ACA in particular and the counseling profession in general.
Governance Restructure Timeline
- 2023
June 15-16
Governing Council approves restructure from 32-member representational Governing Council to a 15-member competency-based Board of Directors, with treasurer being an elected position with voting rights on the board.
- 2024
April 9-10
Governing Council approves changes to the nominations and elections process, with increased responsibilities for the Nominations and Elections Committee and a competency framework for elected board members.
- 2024
June 7-8
Governing Council approves the structure, composition, terms, authority and competencies of the new Advisory Council
Position Descriptions
- Director At Large
Directors hold overall fiscal and strategic oversight responsibility for ACA, including the Fiduciary Duties of Care, Loyalty and Obedience. They are charged with the supervision and oversight of ACA’s mission.
- President
The ACA President serves as the chief governance officer of ACA and chairperson of the Board of Directors. The President-Elect is elected from among the professional members of ACA. Succession to President occurs after service as President-Elect for one year. After serving as President for one year, the President succeeds to the Immediate Past President for one year.
- Treasurer
The ACA Treasurer serves as the Officer with primary responsibility for ensuring the financial health of the organization. The Treasurer-Elect is elected from among the professional members of ACA. Succession to Treasurer occurs after service as Treasurer-Elect for one year. After serving as Treasurer for one year, the Treasurer succeeds to the Past Treasurer for one year.
From the President
Effective advocacy begins with small-scale actions rooted in professional values.
Counselors can shape the profession’s future by uniting with purpose and passion.
Gratitude, Reflection and Progress
Looking back on a year of growth, supported by dedicated leaders, counselors and staff.
From free member resources to upcoming events and initiatives, discover opportunities to grow professionally.
Legislative Advocacy Is Vital to the Future of Counseling
As we look to the future, I am hopeful that our collective altruism can transform our profession powerfully while retaining that quintessential element of counseling: human connection. Thank you for all you do and have a fantastic 2025!
Addressing the Mental Health of Children and Youth
The ACA president elaborates on her presidential initiative to improve the mental health of children and youth.
Meet Christine Suniti Bhat, the 73rd president of ACA, and learn about her presidential initiatives for the upcoming year.
From the President: A Clear Vision Forward
ACA’s new strategic plan aligns with its visions and goals for moving the association and profession forward.
From the President: The Land on Which We Stand
Land acknowledgments are an opportunity to offer healing through honoring lived experiences, understanding the impact of colonization and balancing mourning with celebration of life.
From the President: Recent decisions regarding ACA’s governance and leadership
ACA President Edil Torres Rivera provides an update on ACA leadership and the recent decision to reorganize the Governing Council.
From the President: Recovering historical memory
Professional counselors ... seek to empower individuals and communities to challenge and transform the systems and structures perpetuating violence and inequality.
From the President: Decolonizing and reshaping the profession
The decoloniality process will allow counselors to reshape their professional identity and become more effective in their areas of specialty.
From the President: Building new partnerships
The ACA president emphasizes the need to build mutually beneficial relationships with other organizations that promote mental health, and he provides an update on the Governing Council meeting happening this month.
From the President: Creating change through dialogue
The ACA President discusses how counselors can foster more open, honest dialogue with their clients and themselves.
From the President: Creating change within the profession
The 72nd president of the American Counseling Association introduces himself to members and outlines his initiatives for the year.
- 2026
April 14 - May 8
Members cast ballots for president-elect, treasurer, treasurer-elect and 11 board members; division and region members vote for five Advisory Council representatives and one region representative
Contact the Governing Council
2461 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 300, Alexandria, Va. 22314 | 800-347-6647 | (fax) 800-473-2329
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