The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), headquartered in the National Center for Higher Education building in Washington, D.C., is the primary advocacy organization for community colleges at the national level and works closely with directors of state offices to inform and affect state policy.

In addition, AACC is a member of "The Six" large, presidentially based associations dealing with higher education policy, and it collaborates with a range of organizations within the higher education community to monitor and influence federal policy and to collaborate on issues of common interest.

[2][3] AACC was founded in 1920, originally named American Association of Junior Colleges (AAJC).

[5] In April of 2023, the AACC named Mott Community College President Beverly Walker-Griffea CEO of the Year.

[6] Dr. Willie E. Smith Sr., Baton Rouge Community College Chancellor, has been elected to serve as an institutional representative for the Board of Directors of the AACC.