ACE has selected 46 emerging college and university leaders for the 2022-23 class of the ACE Fellows Program, the longest-running leadership development program in the United States. Click here to go to the ACE Fellows page and view the new class members.
Since its inception in 1965, the ACE Fellows Program has strengthened institutions in American higher education by identifying and preparing about 2,500 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 gone on after their fellowship to serve as chief executive officers, chief academic officers, other cabinet-level positions, and deans.
“The ACE Fellows program and its career-enriching developmental opportunities offer institutions and its participants the unique opportunity to learn from one another," said ACE President Ted Mitchell. “These Fellows engage in immersive learning experiences before they return to their home campuses armed with a fresh outlook, prepared to address whatever challenges lie ahead.”
The 2022-23 class represents the diversity of this country’s higher education institutions by gender, race/ethnicity, institution type, and disciplinary background. The class contains nearly an equal number of women to men, with a rich diversity among demographic backgrounds. The class also reflects a wide array of geographies and institutional missions, including one Fellow from a regional association, one from an international institution, and another from an international foundation. This cohort represents 28 public and 14 private institutions, with 21 research universities shared between both.
“I am excited to welcome in my inaugural class of ACE Fellows,” said Robin Matross Helms, assistant vice president, ACE Programs and Global Initiatives. “Although I have served in a leadership capacity at ACE for ten years, leading the ACE Fellows Program is a new and exciting journey. I look forward to working with the Fellows team to create exciting opportunities that will promote learning, development, and engagement for the cohort.”
ACE and education technology company Cengage have partnered to offer this unique learning experience and a generous grant to selected ACE Fellows who are interested in addressing educational quality and equity in student success as part of their Fellowship. This bestowed scholarship covers the entire program cost for one Cengage Fellow as part of an effort to support the professional development of individuals from diverse backgrounds who are bringing positive change to higher education and to further diversify the program’s pipeline to higher education leadership.
The program combines retreats, interactive and virtual learning opportunities, visits to campuses and other higher education-related organizations, and placement at another higher education institution to condense years of on-the-job experience and skills development into a single year.
During the placement, Fellows observe and work with senior officers at their host institution, attend decision-making meetings, and focus on issues of interest that will benefit their host and nominating institutions. The year ahead will present many opportunities for ACE Fellows to gain an even closer view of leadership in action. Placement institutions will have the benefit of an experienced leader who can lend a fresh perspective to emerging or ongoing institutional challenges.
At the conclusion of the Fellowship year, Fellows return to their home institution with new knowledge and skills that contribute to capacity-building efforts, along with a network of peers across the country and abroad.