Over the last five decades, the ACE Fellows Program has strengthened institutions in American higher education by identifying and preparing nearly 1,900 faculty, staff and administrators for senior positions in college and university leadership through its distinctive and intensive nominator-driven, cohort-based mentorship model. Of the Fellows who have participated to date, more than 80 percent have served as chief executive officers, chief academic officers, other cabinet-level positions and deans.
A new infographic highlights the gender and racial composition of Fellows from its inception in 1965 until 2015. Specifically, the infographic underscores the strides made toward increasing the number of women and minority Fellows. Using survey data from a 2014-15 comprehensive program review, the infographic also captures the career trajectory of Fellow respondents in addition to their growth in core skills such as working with governing boards and budgeting.
The data are derived from the 2017 report, Looking Back and Looking Forward: A Review of the ACE Fellows Program, which indicated that the success of the program is driven, in part, through diverse and talented participants—across racial/ethnic groups, gender and sector—who facilitate breadth of opportunity and perspective. Infographic data analysis was done by Wei-Lin Chen, a graduate research associate at the ACE Center for Policy Research and Strategy.
The application process for the 2018-19 class of the ACE Fellows Program is underway, and the deadline to apply—Nov. 1—is rapidly approaching.
The program combines retreats, interactive learning opportunities, visits to campuses and other higher education-related organizations, and placement at another college or university to condense years of on-the-job experience and skills development into a single year.
During the placement, Fellows observe and work with the president and other senior leaders at a host institution. Fellows also complete projects to serve their home institution and often lead the implementation of that work when they return to campus after their fellowship.
Fellows return to their home institution with new knowledge and skills, a network of peers and experts across the country and abroad, and a deep understanding of the challenges facing higher education. They are poised to serve as leaders and help their institutions thrive.
For more information about the ACE Fellows Program, email ACELeadership@acenet.edu to speak with a Fellows Program staff member.