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Institutional Capacity

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Institutional Capacity

Colleges and universities have an on-going responsibility to build capacity in both personnel and programs. This requires continuing development of leaders who will facilitate the changes essential to deploying resources to increase productivity. The key tasks necessary to achieve an institution’s mission with greater efficiency must involve the buy-in of the campus community.

ACE has both expertise and programming in place to assist campuses with their need for:

  • Improving the skill sets of key personnel 
  • Developing strategies to effect change
  • Facilitation of discussions to achieve buy-in.

Previous Content

ACE Related Programs and Initiatives

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ACE Institute for New Presidents

The ACE Institute for New Presidents strives to ensure new presidents find long-term success in today's uncertain environment.

More information about ACE Institute for New Presidents

National Women's Leadership Forum

This 3-day leadership program is for senior-level women administrators (typically deans and above) seeking a college or university presidency, vice presidency, or major deanship.

More information about National Women's Leadership Forum

ACE Institute for New Chief Academic Officers

This year-long Institute involves three highly participatory convenings that provide practical executive leadership development for CAOs in their first three years on the job. The format includes discussions facilitated by experienced CAOs and presidents, case studies presented by program participants, conversations with peers from diverse institutions and briefings by national experts. Participants take a deep dive into the issues and challenges CAOs face and gain insights about successful campus-based solutions.

More information about ACE Institute for New Chief Academic Officers

ACE Leadership Academy for Department Chairs

The Academy builds on the legacy of ACE's longtime highly regarded Department Chairs Workshop to engage chairs in a yearlong community of learning.

More information about ACE Leadership Academy for Department Chairs

National Challenge for Higher Education: Retaining a 21st Century Workforce

The National Higher Education Coalition, composed of college and university Presidential Coalition Partners and the American Council on Education, is developing a campaign to engage their colleagues in creating an increasingly broader awareness of the positive benefits of workplace flexibility for both institutions and their faculties. Successful implementation of flexible options in academic settings depends on leadership support in both words and actions, training of key leaders (provosts, deans, department chairs, search and tenure and promotion committees), tracking of key metrics, and an openness to changing the culture to accept new ways of working.

More information about National Challenge for Higher Education: Retaining a 21st Century Workforce

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Chief Academic Officer and Chief Business Officer Workshop

At no time has the relationship between the chief academic officer (CAO) and the chief business officer (CBO) mattered more to the effective leadership of colleges and universities. An annual 2-day workshop for CAOs and CBOs that focuses on exploring the dynamics between the CAO and CBO, their relationship, how they can work together effectively, share an action agenda and find solutions to challenges they face individually and collectively. This workshop is presented each summer by both ACE and the National Association of College and University Business Officers.

More information about Chief Academic Officer and Chief Business Officer Workshop

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Advancing to the Presidency

​A workshop for senior administrators who will be seeking a presidency within the next two years. Participants will learn how to develop an effective presidential search strategy, receive practical training, including mock interviews and meetings with search firm executives, gain a better understanding of the search process, contract negotiation and how to transition into the presidency. Participants are selected to represent diverse backgrounds, senior executive positions and institutional types.

More information about Advancing to the Presidency

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ACE Fellows Program

The ACE Fellows Program helps ensure that higher education’s future leaders are ready to take on real-world challenges and serve the capacity-building needs of their institutions.

More information about ACE Fellows Program

Alfred P. Sloan Projects for Faculty Career Flexibility

Alfred P. Sloan Projects for Faculty Career Flexibility

This series of projects highlights and rewards institutions that effectively recruit, retain, and advance faculty in their careers as a means of developing institutional capacity. Recent programs include efforts to create smooth transitions into retirement for faculty, and working with medical schools. Working with pilot institutions and systems to understand their challenges, ACE develops strategies and policy recommendations through invitational conferences, awards programs, and presentations at national meetings. In addition, an online toolkit links to proven practices that other colleges and universities can replicate for institutional effectiveness.

More information about Alfred P. Sloan Projects for Faculty Career Flexibility

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Presidential Roundtables

Presidential Roundtables are daylong conversations among presidents, leaders and experts which explore a set of pressing higher education issues. Each roundtable conversation forms the basis of widely disseminated essays for campus administrators, trustees and other audiences.

More information about Presidential Roundtables

Events