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National and Regional Leadership Forums

ACE National and Regional Leadership Forums are the hallmark programs of the Office of Women in Higher Education (OWHE). Since 1977, ACE/OWHE National Leadership Forums have served as ACE’s principal means of identifying outstanding women and promoting their advancement to the highest levels of leadership in U.S. colleges, universities, and associations. Regional leadership forums were added in 2003.

National Forums are held at the National Center for Higher Education in Washington, D.C., and Regional Forums take place on campuses around the country. They provide an opportunity for women leaders to become acquainted with one another and with women and men in major leadership roles. ACE/OWHE National Leadership Forums are designed for women administrators whose next logical move is to a presidency, vice presidency, major deanship, or other comparable senior executive position in higher education. ACE/OWHE Regional Leadership Forums are geared toward moving women into associate deanships, deanships, and associate academic officer positions.

Twenty women are selected for each seminar. Participants may be nominated by their institutions, state Network programs, or colleagues. They also may apply directly.

Experience has shown that the relationships created or strengthened at ACE/OWHE National and Regional Leadership Forums represent an important step in a personalized identification process. These relationships often continue in other modes, e.g., inclusion in various networks, professional consultations, nominations for appropriate senior positions, and membership on advisory boards, councils, and committees. Increased professional activity, higher levels of professional involvement, and enhanced visibility are fostered through these means.

Forums have undoubtedly contributed to the progress made during the past two decades in the appointments of women to presidencies and other senior administrative positions. More than 60 Forums were held between 1977 and 2002, with more than 1,000 senior administrators participating. Among these participants, approximately 200 have moved into CEO positions in postsecondary education and association management, and most of the others have advanced to higher level positions.

National Forums are held in June and December, while Regional Forums are held in April and October. The pilot Forum, sponsored by the Johnson Foundation, was held in 1977 at Wingspread in Racine, Wisconsin. Several associations have since cooperated with ACE in sponsoring designated Forums. Other associations, e.g., the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), as well as state and regional OWHE networks, have replicated the ACE/OWHE model.

Forums continue to play a critical role in establishing networks of women and men committed to identifying talented women administrators and providing the support necessary for their advancement. To learn more about the Forums, download a sample Forum agenda (64KB; PDF).

If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else to participate in a National or Regional Leadership Forum, please e-mail your nomination with complete contact information (including name, title, institution, address, phone, fax, and e-mail) to: owhe@ace.nche.edu.