The ACE Women’s Network was established through an initial grant by
the Carnegie Foundation. The proposal was to create state planning
boards with representation reflecting the states' higher education
structure. Under the initial proposal, a four-part model for leading a state network was established:
- A state chair, generally a woman
holding a position at a college or university, serves as the liaison
between the state network, ACE, and the WNEC.
- A planning
committee (now often referred to as a planning or executive board),
composed of individuals who serve as leaders for the state network,
creates programs and strategies to identify and advance women into
senior leadership positions within the state’s colleges and
universities.
- Presidential sponsors advise the planning committee and state chair and support the efforts of the state network.
- Institutional representatives serve as advocates for the interests of
women’s leadership development and advancement in higher education at
their institutions.
The state networks are supported nationally by a
dedicated staff at ACE and by the ACE Women’s Network Executive Council (WNEC). The WNEC advises ACE on issues pertaining to the ACE Women's
Network and women's leadership in higher education. The WNEC supports
the state networks by serving as liaisons to the state network chairs
and by providing guidance and advice for strengthening state planning
boards and the overall vitality of the state network.