AUCA is a non-profit organization comprising professionals who represent international higher education institutions in China. The full name of AUCA is American Universities in China Association. The Chinese name of AUCA has been slightly altered to reflect the fact that an increasing number of non-American universities and their official delegates are becoming members of the AUCA community. Founded in 2014 by three American university representatives, AUCA currently has over 100 representatives from more than 60 leading global universities. These university representatives are from countries such as the United States, Canada, Italy, Switzerland, Spain and Australia.

The purposes of the association are exclusively educational, not for profit, and are to promote educational, academic, and cultural exchanges and understandings between international higher education institutions and Chinese students, families and institutions; and assist in the development of professional competence and expertise of individuals involved in the above-mentioned endeavor.

The governing body of AUCA is composed of a number of committee and sub-committees, along with an advisory board. Four sub-committees are currently existing: Student Recruitment Committee, Career Services Committee, Alumni Engagement Committee, and Institutional Partnership Committee. All committee members and advisors volunteer their services to AUCA and receive no compensation for their contributions.