By Steve Tapp, CEO of ACT
As I reflect on my first few months at ACT, one thing has come into sharp focus: leading this organization is a privilege. Every conversation — whether with ACT team members, educators, state leaders, or partners across the country — reminds me why this work matters and why our mission continues to stand the test of time.
And there’s something else I’ve come to see just as clearly: We are more prepared than ever for what comes next.
For 65 years, ACT has been an engine for opportunity—a place where innovation meets purpose, where research creates real impact, and where every learner has a chance to show what they know and what they can achieve. That commitment isn’t just part of our history; it is the foundation for the future. And right now, we are building on that foundation with renewed clarity, energy, and momentum.
An unwavering mission
ACT has never followed a trend. Our founder charted a new path in college assessments, focusing on what students learned — not where they came from. That same spirit of innovation has shaped everything ACT has done since: school-day testing, online testing, pop-up centers during the pandemic, work-ready tools, and, most recently, our enhanced ACT, informed by direct feedback from students and educators.
That is ACT at its best—mission-driven, student-centered, and unafraid to adapt.
I am embracing that spirit now more than ever. Students are navigating increasingly complex and evolving pathways. States are seeking clearer, more complete measures of readiness. Higher ed needs reliable data that supports students’ success. Employers need job-ready talent. And families want to know their children have real choices and real opportunities.
At ACT, we are not just responding to these needs. We are leading the way.
The future belongs to the prepared
After more than 30 years in the assessment industry, I understand how critical it is to evolve from a position of strength. And ACT is strong. Our foundation of rigorous research, the modernization of our assessments, and our readiness solutions across college and career pathways are driving us forward.
Just as important, our people are driving us forward. Having served on ACT’s Board and now as CEO, I’ve seen firsthand the expertise, compassion, and relentless focus on learners that define this organization.
We are equally grateful to our partners —states, districts, educators, higher education, employers, and families—who trust us to deliver accurate, meaningful insights for millions of learners. That trust sharpens our focus and strengthens our resolve.
Together, we are delivering solutions that are connected, predictive, and aligned to real-world needs. This isn’t a vision for the future — it’s work that is already underway and accelerating because we know assessments change lives.
Our priorities moving forward
As we step into this next chapter, ACT is focusing on three foundational priorities:
1. Supporting readiness across every pathway
College and career readiness are related but distinct, and students deserve to have clarity about both to determine the best path for success after high school. ACT is the only organization delivering trusted, research-driven insights across the full spectrum of academic and workforce skills. This dual-pathway approach is essential to expanding opportunities.
Our recent research shows how states, like Louisiana and Kansas, can evaluate readiness for both college and workforce opportunities. This insight helps educators refine instruction, supports students in earning meaningful credentials, and provides employers with clear signals of job readiness.
In short, ACT is ready to help states more fully understand and recognize post-high school readiness — across all pathways.
2. Expanding test access by eliminating barriers for learners
Access to testing is central to our mission. We offer school-day testing, flexible paper and online delivery options, and work-ready solutions to meet all learners where they are.
Additionally, ACT’s Center for Impact and Learning further advances this mission through the ACT Fee Waiver Program, scholarships, and the American College Application campaign — all of which expand opportunity and access for students who might otherwise lack them.
3. Strengthening and deepening partnerships
Collaboration fuels progress. Listening to our partners keeps us grounded and ensures we’re building solutions that serve real needs.
Their insights help us grow not just quickly, but purposefully. Their trust holds us accountable for the mission we’ve carried out for 65 years.
A future built together
I am genuinely optimistic about where we are headed. Not because the work is simple—it isn’t — but because we are anchored by a mission that has endured and strengthened through every challenge. We are connecting education and workforce in ways that matter deeply to students, institutions, and employers. We are evolving thoughtfully while staying true to who we are.
We are not just prepared for the future; we are helping shape it.
As I continue meeting with our team, customers, and partners, I’m energized by what we can build together. ACT is entering this next chapter with purpose, momentum, and unity, and I look forward to meeting each of you exactly where you need us to be.