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Institutional Effectiveness

Leadership & Advocacy News Item

Institutional Effectiveness

  • The dynamism and fluidity of current trends and those yet unimagined will continue to influence and shape higher education’s future. The degree to which institutions can harness their resources to achieve their objectives will depend upon the clarity of these objectives and the institution’s willingness to set priorities and solve its problems. This requires assessing current status, designing a change process, developing and educating senior leaders, and the obligation and nimbleness to make significant widespread change at all levels.

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ACE Related Programs and Initiatives

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Regional Women's Leadership Forum

The Regional Women’s Leadership Forums are designed for mid-level women administrators (typically department chairs, directors, assistant/associate deans and provosts) with high potential for advancement in higher education administration. This interactive 3-day leadership program is typically held at numerous locations across the country.

More information about Regional Women's Leadership Forum

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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

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Spectrum Executive Leadership Program

This eight-month program is designed to further diversify the senior leadership ranks of U.S. higher education by preparing diverse senior level administrators from underrepresented groups to be strong candidates for presidencies and chancellorships in the near term.

More information about Spectrum Executive Leadership Program

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

Making Productivity Real

ACE and the Forum for the Future of Higher Education, with the support of Lumina Foundation for Education, have launched an initiative designed to foster a national conversation around the topic of productivity.

More information about Making Productivity Real

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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

Advocacy Activity

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