Be the Change You Want to See in Higher Ed—Apply to the ACE Fellows Program
July 22, 2019

Applications are open for the 2020-21 class of the nation’s premier higher education leadership development program!

The best way to prepare for the unexpected is to build an arsenal of experiences and creative reactions. The ACE Fellows program provides an opportunity to confront tough questions and explore day-to-day practical solutions to common challenges while shadowing campus leaders. It is a transformative experience that provides institutions and their emerging leaders with the tools they need to shape and plan for future success. 

“As you think about future leadership, it’s not just about your institution, it’s about the future of higher ed,” said William Paterson University President​ Richard Helldobler, Fellows Class of 2005-06. “The only place to get that, in my opinion, is through the ACE Fellows program.” 

The application for the 2020-21 Class of Fellows is now open. Individuals and institutions can participate in three ways: as a Fellow, as a nominator, or as a mentor. Each option affords valuable opportunities for professional and institutional development. For more information, click here.

This unique program condenses years of on-the-job experience and skills development into a single year. As a result, it is the most effective, comprehensive leadership development program in American higher education today. Of the nearly 2,000 Fellows to date, more than 80 percent have served as chief executive officers, chief academic officers, other cabinet level positions, and deans.​

Fellows Class of 2015-16 member Kenya Ayers, who will begin serving as president of Tarrant County College Northeast on July 1, agrees wholeheartedly with Bertolino's assessment of the program. 

“The fellowship experience validated my ability to lead at the highest levels within the academy and allowed me to see future possibilities with great clarity,” she said. 

The 2019-20 class was announced in March of this year. Click here to see the members of the class, which will kick off work this fall.

The application process is lengthy and requires extensive preparation, so consider starting your nomination or application early. For additional information, or to speak to a staff person, please email us at ACELeadership@acenet.edu​ or call 202-939-9376.