ACE Fellows Program

The ACE Fellows Program offers a unique and transformative opportunity for aspiring leaders in higher education. ACE Fellows will dive deep into a dynamic curriculum, engage in hands-on learning, and collaborate on impactful activities. Fellows will learn from renowned American Council on Education (ACE) experts, national and local leaders in higher education, and seasoned mentors both within and outside the Program.

Throughout the fellowship year, Fellows will set specific learning goals and tackle a self-chosen topic or challenge in postsecondary education policy, allowing them to make a meaningful impact in their disciplines or the higher education sector at-large.

The ACE Fellows Program is thrilled to support those who are eager to explore pathways to senior leadership in higher education.

The opportunities to engage with the Program include the following roles:

Candidate: Eligible candidates hold positions at their institutions such as vice president, dean, department chair, or program director. Selected candidates will be named as ACE Fellows for the academic year.
Nominator: Nominators should be a candidate’s current or former supervisor who can speak to the candidate’s demonstrated transformative and innovative leadership. The ACE Fellows Program also accepts nominations from a former supervisor, even if they are no longer employed at the candidate’s institution.
Sponsor: Sponsors are the president or chief executive officer at the institution where the candidate is employed who agree to maintain the institution’s active ACE membership in good standing and ensure the Fellow’s salary, benefits, and Program-related expenses are covered during the fellowship year.
Host/Placement Mentor: Mentors are senior campus leaders at the campus that will serve as a Fellow’s host site for the academic year. Mentors agree to allow Fellows to participate in meetings, take on a project or initiative that bolsters the institution’s priorities, and engage with senior leaders and members of the campus community in support of the Fellow’s learning goals for the fellowship year.

Benefits of the Program

Why become an ACE Fellow?

In seeking broad representation from across the higher education community, ACE welcomes candidates from diverse personal and professional backgrounds, functional areas, and institutional sectors and especially encourages applicants from community colleges and minority serving institutions. Candidates must demonstrate a record of leadership in an institution-wide context.

Lead Institutional Transformation: Hone your leadership skills by learning from subject matter experts, co-designing and exploring evidence-based practices, and emerging as a well-rounded changemaker who is ready to drive meaningful institutional transformation.
Develop Your Leadership Competencies: Delve into various aspects of leadership development, such as refining your leadership competencies and crafting and owning your unique leadership narrative.
Engage with Policy Experts: Deepen your understanding of the intersection between state and federal public policies and postsecondary education by working closely with seasoned policy experts.
Learn from Mentors: Gain invaluable insights from internal Program mentors to better understand yourself as a leader and expand your influence within higher education.
Expand Your Network: Build a powerful, far-reaching network of higher education leaders across the U.S. and beyond by collaborating with visionary minds to shape the future of global education.

The ACE Fellows Program is thrilled to support those who are eager to explore pathways to senior leadership in higher education.

Download the ACE Fellows Program Information Sheet for a comprehensive, printable document about participating as a Fellow.

Why nominate an ACE Fellow?

Support a candidate’s desire to continue their demonstrated transformative and innovative leadership.
Equip an aspiring leader with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to navigate these complexities and lead their institutions effectively into the future.
Encourage a candidate’s exposure to new ideas, best practices, and innovative approaches from a different institution. This fosters a culture of innovation and adaptability that is essential for leading change and managing crises.

Nominators should be individuals who have served as the candidate’s current or former supervisor and can provide a comprehensive assessment of the candidate’s transformative and innovative leadership capabilities. The ACE Fellows Program also welcomes nominations from former supervisors who may no longer be affiliated with the candidate’s current institution as long as they can speak to the candidate’s leadership qualities and achievements.

The ACE Fellows Program provides the nominating institution with numerous immediate and long-term benefits, including:

The opportunity to identify an important issue that will be the focus of the Fellow’s learning experience
The opportunity to enhance the leadership and management skills of a faculty or staff member who returns to their nominating institution with new ideas, perspectives, knowledge, and skills in critical areas
The development of campus leaders who can implement special initiatives or critical projects and are better prepared to assume various positions
Access to a national network of other institutions and to seasoned colleagues who are willing to share their best practices and approaches to institutional challenges

Why sponsor an ACE Fellow?

Provide recognition and a pathway for advancement for a talented emerging campus leader.
Broaden the institution’s knowledge of institutional transformation in rapidly changing contexts.

Institutions must be ACE member institutions to sponsor a Fellow. The president or chief academic officer from any ACE member institution may submit the application materials for up to two ACE Fellows Program candidates per year. Sponsorships are also accepted from nonmember institutions; however, upon the candidate’s acceptance into the Program, the sponsoring institution must become a member of ACE.

Why host an ACE Fellow?

ACE Fellows bring a wealth of knowledge, new strategies, and a deep understanding of the evolving landscape of higher education. Their exposure to best practices across a variety of institutions allows them to contribute innovative ideas that can help the host institution to tackle current challenges and plan strategically for the future.
Fellows often serve as catalysts for organizational change. Through their projects, research, and strategic initiatives, they drive positive transformation and institutional effectiveness in areas such as diversity, student success, financial sustainability, academic excellence, and community engagement.
Fellows often collaborate on special projects, which can enhance the skills and knowledge of the host team members and foster a culture of continuous learning. Hosting a Fellow may help the institution to create valuable opportunities for professional development for existing staff and leadership teams.
Hosting an ACE Fellow connects institutions to a robust network of current and former Fellows, senior leaders, and experts in the field of higher education. This expanded network can lead to new collaborations, partnerships, and opportunities for sharing best practices and mutual support.
Fellows engage in customized projects that align with the host institution’s goals and priorities. Whether it is assessing a new initiative, developing strategic plans, or analyzing institutional data, Fellows provide dedicated attention and specialized expertise to help achieve significant institutional milestones.
Download the Information on Hosting an ACE Fellow (PDF) for a comprehensive, printable document about hosting as a Fellow.

Program Details

Program Meetings

The ACE Fellows Program includes three immersive, interactive, multiday retreats held in Washington, DC in August, January, and June. Each retreat explores diverse topics such as public policy and federal relations, leadership competencies, and personal leadership narratives. Fellows will explore targeted topics such as shifting demographics, effective fundraising for higher education, student mobility trends, executive presence, and leadership skills as well as the complex challenges and rewards of senior leadership.

Fellowship Project

Fellows will each explore a critical topic, issue, or challenge in postsecondary education policy and practice that aligns with their interests. Through the fellowship project and experience, Fellows will have the opportunity to not only sharpen their leadership skills but also to expand their expertise in a way that directly contributes to the advancement of the higher education landscape. The goal of this project is to empower Fellows to make meaningful, lasting contributions that benefit their institutions and the broader education community.

Fellowship Placement

The optional fellowship placement offers Fellows the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in targeted learning by delving deeply into the functional and academic areas of another higher education institution. This experience allows Fellows to build valuable connections on a host campus that will be guided by a team of exemplary senior mentors. Upon selection to the ACE Fellows Program, the Program team will work closely with Fellows and their sponsors or designees to customize their fellowship projects and placement options and to ensure that both align with the Fellows’ specific learning goals for the year. Placement options include a full academic year, a fall or spring semester, or a flexible schedule of periodic visits, allowing Fellows to tailor their experiences to best suit their professional development needs.

Financial Investment

Regardless of the placement selection, the sponsoring institution is responsible for providing the Fellow’s full salary and benefits for the entire duration of the fellowship.

Year-Long Off Campus Placement: The host institution pays ACE a $16,000 Program fee and provides the Fellow with a professional development budget of at least $10,000, making the total investment for the nominating institution at least $26,000.

Semester-Long Off Campus Placement: The sponsoring and host institutions each contribute $8,000 toward the $16,000 Program fee to ACE. Each institution provides the Fellow with half of a modest professional development budget—at least $5,000 from each—making the total investment for each institution at least $13,000.

Flexible Schedule of Periodic Visits: The sponsoring institution pays the $16,000 Program fee to ACE and provides the Fellow with a professional development budget of at least $10,000, making the total investment for the nominating institution at least $26,000

Fellowship Timeline

Testimonials

ACE Fellows come from all institutional function areas as well as from organizations and associations within the higher education community. This is how the Fellows Program has benefitted them, in their words.

View All Fellows Program Testimonials

Additional Testimonials

Current Cohort and Alumni

The ACE Fellows Program has an alumni network of over 2,000 higher education professionals. All ACE Fellows Program alumni are members of the Council of Fellows (COF), an organization that provides Fellows with ongoing professional development as well as an opportunity to continue their association with ACE and with Fellows from all classes. ACE encourages alumni to become involved with the COF and other ACE activities. ACE also often invites Fellows alumni to serve on ACE commissions, committees, panels, and in other advisory capacities.

If you would like to learn about hosting an ACE Fellow on your campus, we encourage you to read the flyer linked below for more information. If you are interested in hosting a Fellow, contact Juanita Banks.

ACE Fellows Class of 2025–26

The 2025–26 class of Fellows has been announced. Expand the sections below for more information.

2025–26 Cohort

ACE Fellows Class of 2025–26

Rima Adil

Interim Vice Chancellor of Student Services

Houston Community College

Soyeon Ahn

Professor and Associate Dean for Research, School of Education and Human Development

University of Miami

Richard Allen

Professor of Psychology and Senior Associate Dean for Academic and Strategic Planning, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

University of Colorado Denver

Carolyn Bargoot

Deputy Provost

Northeastern University

Genyne Henry Boston

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Edward Waters University

Amod Choudhary

Professor, Department of Management and Business Innovation, and Director of Special Projects

Lehman College of The City University of New York

Angela Clark

Maxine Clark and Bob Fox President

Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing

André R. Denham

Associate Dean for Graduate Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Instructional Technology

The University of Alabama

Robert Heinrich

Special Assistant to the President for University Partnerships and Initiatives

Stockton University

Amy Claire Heitzman

Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Learning Officer

UPCEA

Brett Hendrickson

Professor and Head of the Religious Studies Department

Lafayette College

M. Francyne Huckaby

Associate Provost of Faculty Affairs and Executive Director of the Koehler Center

Texas Christian University

Elizabeth Quay Hutchison

Professor of History; Regents’ Professor in Arts and Sciences; and 2024 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Academic Leadership Faculty Fellow

The University of New Mexico

Tonika Duren Green

Associate Vice President for Campus Community Affairs and Affiliated Faculty

San Diego State University

Mark Lazenby

Professor and Dean of the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing

University of California, Irvine

Janaka Bowman Lewis

Associate Dean of Curriculum and Student Success and Professor of English

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Salvador B. Mena

Senior Vice Chancellor for the Student Experience

Rutgers University–New Brunswick

Jerono P. Rotich

Professor of Kinesiology and Associate Dean for Organizational Climate, Inclusion, and Belonging, School of Public Health–Bloomington

Indiana University Bloomington

Margaret Anne Schedel

Professor of Composition and Co-Director of Computer Music

Stony Brook University

Eric Smaw

Associated Colleges of the South Mellon Academic Leadership Fellow; Professor of Philosophy; and Special Assistant to the Provost for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Rollins College

Lana Snider

Vice President of Academics

Northwest State Community College

Tamara N. Stevenson

Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer

Westminster University

Roy Walker III
Senior Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs
Malcolm X College of the City Colleges of Chicago

Melanie Wicinski

Associate Vice Chancellor for Accreditation and Assessment

Arkansas State University

Aurelia Williams

Senior Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs; Executive Director, Cybersecurity Complex; and Professor of Computer Science

Norfolk State University

Past Cohorts

ACE Fellows Class of 2024–25

Ralitsa Akins
Vice Provost
University of West Georgia

Tiffany Birdsong
Chief Academic Officer
Richard Bland College of William and Mary

Tamara Bland
Dean, Borra College of Health Sciences
Dominican University

Daryl Carter
Associate Dean, Director, and Professor
East Tennessee State University

Elizabeth Carter
Assistant Vice President for Health and Well-Being
Coastal Carolina University

Kristyn Davis
Vice President of Enrollment Management and Extended Studies
Colorado State University-Pueblo

Christoper DePerno
Professor, FWCB Coordinator, Provost Faculty Fellow
North Carolina State University

Andrea Duffy
Assistant Vice Provost
Colorado State University

R. Danielle Egan
Dean of the Faculty and Chief Academic Officer
Connecticut College

Stephen Griffin
Associate Provost for Online Education
Wilberforce University

Michael Harris
Professor and Department Chair
Southern Methodist University

Melvin Johnson-Norwood
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Associate Provost
Winston-Salem State University

Dayna Matthew
Dean and Harold H. Greene Professor of Law
George Washington University

Stephan Moore
Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
Coppin State University

Marisol Morales
Executive Director, Carnegie Elective Classifications
American Council on Education

Kristin Moran
Associate Dean
University of San Diego

Nayshon Mosley-Milford
Dean of Student Success
Chicago State University

Suzanne O'Driscoll
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students
Shenandoah University

Wendy Reed
Dean, Swenson College of Science & Engineering
University of Minnesota-Duluth

Nukhet Sandal
Associate Dean
Ohio University

Tracy Tambascia
Professor of Clinical Education
University of Southern California

Corlisse Thomas
Senior Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Rutgers University-Newark

Debbie Thorne
Senior Vice Provost
Texas State University

Franklin Tuitt
Vice President and Chief Diversity Office
University of Connecticut

Anna Ya Ni
Associate Dean
California State University San Bernardino

ACE Fellows Class of 2023–24

Badia Ahad
Professor and Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Loyola University Chicago

Michael Alfano
Dean, Isabelle Farrington College of Education and Human Development and Vice Provost for Strategic Partnerships
Sacred Heart University

Mark Allman
Vice Provost, Undergraduate Education and Faculty Affairs
Merrimack College

Jonathan Ambrose
Associate Vice President for the Student Experience and Dean of Students
Mississippi College

Vicki Baker
Professor of Economics and Management
Albion College

Pradeep Bhardwaj
Chair, Department of Marketing, and Carl H. Galloway Professor of Marketing
University of Central Florida

Menna Bizuneh
Director, Claremont Faculty Leadership Program and Associate Professor of Economics
Pitzer College

Genyne Boston
Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs and Academic Initiatives and Chief of Staff
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Santiba Campbell
Director of Academic Special Initiatives and Associate Professor of Psychology
Bennett College

Nathan Carter
Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer
Northern Virginia Community College

Austin Cheney
Dean, Lumpkin College of Business and Technology
Eastern Illinois University

Robert Andrew Dunn
Chair, Media and Communication Department, College of Arts and Sciences
East Tennessee State University

Kevin Finn
Dean and Professor, School of Nursing and Health Sciences, and Director of Clinical Partnerships
Colby-Sawyer College

Patrice W. Glenn Jones
Executive Director of Online Education and Programs
Alabama State University

Margaret Peña Harden
Associate Provost for Academic Administration
University of Virginia

Oscar Holmes, IV
Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs and Director, Rutgers University Student Executive (RUSE) Program
Rutgers University–Camden

Theresa Law
Vice President, Student and Donor Engagement, and Executive Director, Highlands Foundations
New Mexico Highlands University

Roswell Lawrence Jr.
Assistant Vice President and Chief of Staff for Finance and Administration
University of Georgia

Nicole Lucas
Associate Vice Chancellor for Institutional Effectiveness, Research, and Planning
Fayetteville State University

Naelys Luna
Founding Dean and Professor, College of Social Work and Criminal Justice
Florida Atlantic University

Yingyi Ma
Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, Sociology Department
Syracuse University

Bethany Meighen
Vice President for Student Affairs
The University of North Carolina System

Hector Molina
Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and Telecommunications Services
Fayetteville State University

Judy Neubrander
Dean, Mennonite College of Nursing
Illinois State University

Felix Ngassa
Professor of Chemistry and Chair of the University Academic Senate
Grand Valley State University

Omonike Olaleye
Senior Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation, and Professor of Pharmacology
Texas Southern University

Menah Pratt
Vice President for Strategic Affairs and Diversity
Virginia Tech

Michael Salvatore
Senior Vice President for Administration
Kean University

Randi Storch
Professor of History and Chair, History Department
State University of New York Cortland

Lenford Sutton
Professor and Chair, Department of Educational Administration and Foundations
Illinois State University

M. Gabriela Torres
Associate Provost for Academic Administration and Faculty Affairs and Research Compliance and Safety Officer
Wheaton College

Robbie Totten
Chief Academic Officer and Associate Professor, Politics and Global Studies
American Jewish University

Wade Weast
Dean of the College of the Arts
Georgia State University

Joseph Webb
Vice President for Student Affairs
St. Norbert College

Robert Weiss
Professor of Natural Hazards
Virginia Tech

Julian Williams
Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
University of South Carolina

Hend Zainal
Executive Director of Strategy, Management, and Partnerships
Qatar Foundation

ACE Fellows Class of 2022–23

Nwando Achebe
Jack and Margaret Sweet Endowed Professor of History and Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Michigan State University

Frankie Augustin
Full Professor and Equity Faculty Affiliate for Student Success
California State University, Northridge

Diann Cameron-Kelly
Associate Provost for Student Success
Adelphi University (NY)

Terri A. Camesano
Dean of Graduate Studies
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (MA)

Tim Channell
Assistant Provost for Budget and Academic Operations
Radford University (VA)

Sanjeev Choudhary
Professor and Chair, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology
Sam Houston State University (TX)

Lori Ciccomascolo
Professor, School of Education, and Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Student Success
University of Rhode Island

Julie Coonrod
Dean of Graduate Studies and Professor of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering
University of New Mexico

Courtney Dorroll
Associate Professor of Religion and Coordinator of the Middle Eastern/Northern African Studies Program
Wofford College (SC)

Charles Dukes
Professor and Interim Chair, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Florida Atlantic University

Phyllis Esposito
Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Everett Community College (WA)

Laura Franklin
Dean, College of Humanities, Fine Arts, and Communications, and Professor of Music
Lewis University (IL)

Jamie Frueh
Associate Provost and W. Harold Row Professor of International Studies
Bridgewater College (VA)

Carolyn Gentle-Genitty
Assistant Vice President for University Academic Policy and Director, University Transfer Office
Indiana University Bloomington

Benjamin Grant
Chief Student Affairs Officer
D'Youville College (NY)

Malou C. Harrison
Executive Vice President and Provost
Miami Dade College

Carol Hood
Professor of Physics; Associate Director, Cal-Bridge South; and Director, Murillo Family Observatory
California State University, San Bernardino

Austin Johnson
Associate Professor, Graduate School of Education, and Program Director, School Psychology
University of California, Riverside

Anupam Joshi
Professor and Chair, Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Deborah Karpman
Assistant Dean for Research, Rossier School of Education
University of Southern California

Thomas Kealy
Dean for the School of Business and Social Sciences
Colby-Sawyer College (NH)

Heather Koopman
Professor and Chair, Biology and Marine Biology
University of North Carolina Wilmington

Stevie L. Lawrence
Vice President for Postsecondary Education
Southern Regional Education Board (GA)

Desmond Lewis
Associate Vice Chancellor, Division of College Readiness
Houston Community College–Northeast Campus

Monica López Sieben
Dean, Graduate School of Business, and Professor of Strategy, Business Organization, and Leadership
CETYS University (Mexico)

Lesley A. Massiah-Arthur
Associate Vice President and Special Assistant to the President for Government Relations
Fordham University (NY)

Rosaria Meek
Assistant Professor of Spanish and President of Georgia Association for Women in Higher Education
University of North Georgia

Andrea R. Milner
Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs
Adrian College (MI)

Jacqueline Morris
Professor of Biology
Baldwin Wallace University (OH)

Paul Patrick
Chief of Staff
College of Charleston (SC)

Sarah Pessin
Professor of Philosophy and Jewish Thought and Interfaith Chair
University of Denver

Tina Anctil Peterman
Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Education
Portland State University

Colleen Reilly
Dean of Media, Visual, and Performing Arts
Houston Community College–Northwest Campus

Rebecca Ropers
Professor and Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs
University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Emily Ross
Associate Provost
School of Visual Arts (NY)

Rebecca Rugg
Professor and Dean of the College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts
University of Illinois Chicago

Aaron Dickinson Sachowitz
Associate Professor of Media Technologies and Culture
Saint Mary's College of California

David Sailor
Professor, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, and Director, Urban Climate Research Center
Arizona State University

Stephanie Santorico
Professor and Interim Associate Dean for Research and Creative Activities
University of Colorado Denver

Manohar Singh
Dean, School of Graduate and Professional Studies
Southern Connecticut State University

Allen P. Vital
Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Advancement, and Executive Director, AAMU Foundation
Alabama A&M University

Janet Ward
Senior Associate Vice President for Research and Partnerships and Brammer Presidential Professor of History
University of Oklahoma

Jack Watson
Professor of Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, and Dean, College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences
West Virginia University

Ross Wolf
Professor, Department of Criminal Justice and Associate Provost
University of Central Florida Downtown

Darryl Yong
Professor of Mathematics, and Director, Mathematics Clinic
Harvey Mudd College (CA)

Hend Zainal
Executive Director of Strategy, Management, and Partnerships
Qatar Foundation

ACE Fellows Class of 2021–22

Peter Biehl
Associate Dean for International Education and Enrollment and Professor of Anthropology
SUNY University at Buffalo

Bryan Boatright
Interim co-Vice President for Academic Affairs

University of Mount Union

Stacey Lowery Bretz
University Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Miami University

Charisse Carney-Nunes
Senior Staff Associate, Education and Human Resources
National Science Foundation

Robin Cass
Provost's Associate for the Integration of Technology, the Arts, & Design / Professor, Colege of Art and Design
Rochester Institute of Technology

Emily Chan
Associate Professor and Director of the Bridge Scholars Program and Race, Ethnicity and Migration Studies
Colorado College

Larry Chavis
Director of UNC American Indian Center and Clinical Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Ruma Chopra
Professor, Department of History
San Jose State University

Susan Colby
Director for Faculty Professional Development and Professor of Education
Appalachian State University

Andrea Ellis
Assistant Vice President for Innovation
Wake Forest University

Katherine Faull
Chair, Department of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics
Bucknell University

Bronwyn Fees
Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Health and Human Sciences
Kansas State University

Eleanor Feingold
Executive Associate Dean, Graduate School of Public Health
University of Pittsburgh

Wondwossen Gebreyes
Executive Director, Global One Health initiative
Ohio State University

Phillis George
Associate Professor & Assistant Chair of Higher Education
University of Mississippi

George Georgiou
Professor, School of Computer Science and Engineering
California State University, San Bernardino

Dana Harsell
Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Administration
University of North Dakota

Roze Hentschell
Senior Associate Dean for Academic Programs, College of Liberal Arts
Colorado State University

Danielle Holley-Walker
Dean School of Law
Howard University

Haning Hughes
Deputy Department Head and Professor of Chinese
United States Air Force Academy

Jevon Hunter (ACE/Cengage Fellow)
Chair of Social and Psychological Foundations and Adult Education
SUNY Buffalo State

Lisa Jasinski
Special Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs
Trinity University

Cherisse Jones-Branch (ACE/Lumina Fellow)
Dean, Graduate School
Arkansas State University

Hilton Kelly
Dean of Liberal Arts and Education
University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Adrienne King
Vice President for Marketing and Communications

University of Toledo

Valerie Kinloch
Renée and Richard Goldman Dean
University of Pittsburgh

Susan Lewis
Vice Provost
Abilene Christian University

Mary McConner
Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Christian Brothers University

Henrika McCoy
Interim Associate Dean and Associate Professor, Jane Addams College of Social Work
University of Illinois Chicago

Laura McGrane
Director, Visual Culture Arts & Media, Associate Professor of English
Haverford College

Jillian McLeod
Associate Professor of Mathematics and Chair of Equity Taskforce
United States Coast Guard Academy

Natasha Martin
Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion
Seattle University

Steven Mauro
Vice President of Strategy and Campus Operations
Gannon University

Reginald Mitchell
Law School Academic Success & Bar Preparation Director
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Timothy Nohe
Special Assistant to the Provost
University of Maryland Baltimore County

John (Ian) Norris
Associate Professor of Marketing
Berea College

KerryAnn O'Meara
Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives and Professor of Higher Education
University of Maryland College Park

Venetria Patton
Head, School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Professor of English and African American Studies
Purdue University

Caroline Kobek Pezzarossi
Director, Instituional Effectiveness & Certification
Gallaudet University

Mary Ramsey
Professor of English
Eastern Michigan University

Emily Ross
Associate Provost
School of Visual Arts

Timothy Sellers
Associate Provost, Academic Affairs and Professor of Biology and Environmental Science
Keuka College

Natalia Sidorovskaia
Professor and Chairperson, Physics Department
University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Jason Smith
Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Health Sciences
California State University, East Bay

Tammi Vacha-Hasse
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Texas A&M University-Commerce

Janie Valdés
Assistant Vice President, Enrollment Management and Services
Florida International University

Eleazar Vasquez
Professor & Director
University of Central Florida

Moneque Walker-Pickett
Professor and Associate Chair, Department of Criminal Justice
Saint Leo University

Andria Wisler
Executive Director, Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching, and Service
Georgetown University

Diana Woolfolk
Associate Dean, International Affairs
CETYS University

Yuqing Melanie Wu
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College
Pomona College

Manoochehr Zoghi
Dean, College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science
Purdue University Fort Wayne

ACE Fellows Class of 2020–21 (Deferred until 2021–22)

Peter F. Biehl
Associate Dean for International Education and Enrollment and Professor of Anthropology
SUNY University at Buffalo

Stacey Lowery Bretz
University Distinguished Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Miami University (OH)

Robin Ann Cass
Professor, School for American Crafts, College of Art and Design
Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)

Ruma Chopra
Professor, Department of History
San José State University (CA)

Susan A. Colby
Director of Faculty Professional Development for The Center for Academic Excellence and Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Appalachian State University (NC)

Andrea C. Ellis
Assistant Vice President for Innovation
Wake Forest University (NC)

Katherine M. Faull
Professor of German and Comparative Humanities
Bucknell University (PA)

Bronwyn Fees
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Health and Human Sciences
Kansas State University

Wondwossen Gebreyes
Executive Director, Global One Health Initiative and Hazel C. Youngberg Distinguished Professor
Ohio State University

George Georgiou
Professor, School of Computer Science and Engineering
California State University, San Bernardino

Dana Michael Harsell
Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Administration
University of North Dakota

Danielle Holley-Walker
Dean, School of Law
Howard University (DC)

Haning Hughes
Deputy Department Head and Professor of Chinese
United States Air Force Academy (CO)

Jevon D. Hunter
Woods Beals Endowed Chair for Urban Education
SUNY Buffalo State

Adrienne King
Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications
University of Toledo (OH)

Natasha T. Martin
Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion
Seattle University (WA)

Steven Anthony Mauro
Vice President of Academic Administration
Gannon University

Henrika McCoy
Associate Professor, Jane Addams College of Social Work
University of Illinois at Chicago

Laura E. McGrane
Director, Visual Culture Arts & Media and Associate Professor of English
Haverford College (PA)

Jillian E. McLeod
Associate Professor of Mathematics; Chair of the Superintendent's Equity Taskforce; President of the Faculty Union; and Member of the Senior Leadership Team
United States Coast Guard Academy

Chris Meiers
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Deputy Title IX Officer
Washington State University-Tri Cities

Jacqueline K. Morris
Professor of Biology
Baldwin Wallace University (OH)

Timothy J. Nohe
Director, Center for Innovation, Research and Creativity in the Arts (CIRCA) and Professor of Visual Arts
University of Maryland Baltimore County

Ian Norris
Associate Professor of Marketing and Chair of Psychology
Berea College (KY)

KerryAnn O'Meara
Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Faculty Affairs, and Professor, Higher Education
University of Maryland College Park

Venetria K. Patton
Head, School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Professor of English and African American Studies
Purdue University (IN)

Mary K. Ramsey
Professor of English and Assistant Vice President of The Honors College
Eastern Michigan University

Emily Ross
Associate Provost
School of Visual Arts (NY)

Tim Sellers
Associate Provost, Academic Affairs
Keuka College (NY)

Natalia Sidorovskaia
Professor and Chairperson, Physics Department
University of Louisiana at Lafayette

James A. Uchizono
Professor, Department of Pharmaceutics and Medicinal Chemistry and Associate Provost for Research
University of the Pacific (CA)

Tammi Vacha-Haase
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Texas A&M University-Commerce

Janie Valdes
Assistant Vice President, Enrollment Management and Services
Florida International University

Moneque Walker-Pickett
Professor & Associate Chair, Department of Criminal Justice
Saint Leo University (FL)

Andria K. Wisler
Executive Director, Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching & Service and Associate Teaching Professor, Justice & Peace Studies
Georgetown University (DC)

Diana Woolfolk
Associate Dean, International Affairs
CETYS University (MX)

Yuqing Melanie Wu
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College
Pomona College (CA)

Manoochehr Zoghi
Dean, College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science
Purdue University Fort Wayne (IN)

ACE Fellows Class of 2019–20

Rashmi H. Assudani
Chair, Department of Management & Entrepreneurship and Professor, Department of Management & Entrepreneurship
Xavier University (OH)

Jeffrey Brand
Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, Columbian College of Arts and Sciences and Associate Professor of Philosophy
George Washington University (DC)

David A. Brennen
Dean of Law
University of Kentucky

Juanita Cole
Associate Dean and Professor, College of Information and Cyberspace
National Defense University (DC)

James Cousins
Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Western Michigan University

Gary B. Crosby
Vice President for Student Affairs
Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University

Jerome Drain
Dean of Natural Sciences and Horticulture
Houston Community College

M. Omar Faison
Assistant Vice President, Research/Interim Executive Director, Center for Agricultural Research, Engagement, and Outreach
Virginia State University

Sonja Feist-Price
Vice President for Institutional Diversity and Professor of Rehabilitation Counseling
University of Kentucky

Robert J. Frosch
Senior Associate Dean, College of Engineering and Professor of Civil Engineering
Purdue University (IN)

Dale D. Grubb
Associate Dean, School of Social Sciences and Professor, Department of Psychology
Baldwin Wallace University (OH)

Rosalyn Hobson Hargraves
Associate Vice President for Assessment and Transformation
Virginia Commonwealth University

Laretta Henderson
Associate Dean and Associate Professor, School of Information Studies
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Catherine L. Horn
Professor of Higher Education and Chair, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
University of Houston (TX)

Kristi Hottenstein
Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management
University of Michigan—Flint

Tyson D. King-Meadows
Associate Dean for Research and College Affairs, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences and Associate Professor of Political Science
University of Maryland Baltimore County

Rachael A. Kipp
Associate Professor and Chair, Division of Physical Sciences
Suffolk University (MA)

Robert M. Klein
Interim Dean, Associate Professor of Mathematics
Ohio University

Jeffrey B. Leak
Professor of English and Faculty Fellow, Martin Scholars Program
University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Christopher E. Manning
Assistant Provost for Academic Diversity
Loyola University of Chicago

Edward A. Martinez
Interim Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management
New Mexico Highlands University

Karla S. McCain
Associate Dean of Institutional Effectiveness and Professor of Chemistry
Austin College (TX)

Pamela Moolenaar-Wirsiy
Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs
Perimeter College at Georgia State University--Clarkston Campus

Sharon Nagy
Associate Provost for Global Engagement
Clemson University (SC)

Elizabeth Orwin
Professor and Chair, Department of Engineering
Harvey Mudd College (CA)

Jennifer Ostergren
Dean, College of Education, Health and Human Services
California State University, San Marcos

Eileen Carlton Parsons
Professor, Science Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
and Incoming President-Elect, National Association for Research in Science Teaching

Rhonda Phillips
Dean, Honors College and Interim Dean, Libraries and School of Information Studies
Purdue University (IN)

Kara M. Rabbitt
Dean, Humanities & Social Sciences
William Paterson University of New Jersey

Jay Roberts
Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs
Earlham College (IN)

Robert A. Schultz
Department Chair, Early Childhood, Higher Education and Special Education and Professor of Gifted Education and Curriculum Studies
University of Toledo (OH)

Dianna Shandy
Associate Dean, Kofi Annan Institute for Global Citizenship and Professor of Anthropology
Macalester College (MN)

Suzanne Wilson Summers
Special Assistant to the Provost and Professor of History
Austin Community College District (TX)

Ann T.S. Taylor
Chair of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; Haines Professor of Biochemistry
Wabash College (IN)

J. Kathleen Tracy
Associate Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health and Director, Clinical and Translational Research Informatics Center
University of Maryland Baltimore

Artika R. Tyner
Professor and Founding Director, Center on Race, Leadership and Social Justice, School of Law
University of Saint Thomas (MN)

Gabriela C. Weaver
Special Assistant to the Provost for Educational Initiatives and Professor of Chemistry
University of Massachusetts Amherst

Nicholas S. Wigginton
Assistant Vice President and Chief of Staff
University of Michigan

James A. Wilson, Jr.
Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and Director of Faculty Innovation and Enhancement (FIE)
Prairie View A&M University (TX)

ACE Fellows Class of 2018–19

Chana K. Akins
Area Coordinator and Professor of Psychology
University of Kentucky

Venkat Allada
Vice Provost Graduate Studies, and Professor of Engineering Management & Systems Engineering
Missouri University of Science and Technology

Jill M. Baren
Professor of Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics, Medical Ethics and Health Policy
University of Pennsylvania

Andrea L. Beach
Professor of Higher Education Leadership and Co-Director, Center for Research on Instructional Change in Postsecondary Education
Western Michigan University

Brian D. Beitzel
Director of Education Assessment and Accreditation; and Professor of Educational Psychology
State University of New York College at Oneonta

Lori M Berquam
Vice Provost for Student Life and Dean of Students
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Shawn Marie Boyne
Professor of Law
Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis

Craig Calvert Brookins
Associate Professor, Psychology and Coordinator, Africana Studies Program
North Carolina State University

Howard G. Brown
Professor of History
Binghamton University, State University of New York

Dale Jason Brugh
Associate Dean for Innovation and Technology and Professor of Chemistry
Ohio Wesleyan University

Jesús Castro-Balbi
Professor of Music, Faculty Senate Immediate Past-chair
Texas Christian University

Craig T. Cobane
Executive Director of the Mahurin Honors College and Professor, Honors Academy
Western Kentucky University

James Dalske
Dean of Students
California Maritime Academy

Kumer Pial Das
Interim Associate Provost for Research; Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research; and Professor of Mathematics
Lamar University

Lowell K. Davis
Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Student Success
Western Carolina University

James Denniston
Professor of Psychology
Appalachian State University

Lisa M. Di Bartolomeo
Senior Advisor for Global Affairs
West Virginia University

Ardis R. Eschenberg
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Windward Community College

Joseph Foster
Senior Military Faculty and Assistant Professor
United States Air Force Academy

Tara Giblin
Dean of Mathematics and Sciences
Orange Coast College

Yolanda Gibson
Associate Dean of First Year Experience
Marymount University

Kimetta Hairston
Curriculum and Instruction Specialist
Bowie State University

Chad Hamill
Vice President for Native American Initiatives
Northern Arizona University

Stephen Hegedus
Dean, School of Education
Southern Connecticut State University

Elizabeth Heise
Vice Provost Fellow for Faculty Affairs and Diversity and Associate Professor, Earth and Environmental Sciences
University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley

Kathryn J. Jervis
Professor of Accounting
University of Rhode Island

Michael S. Laver
Department Chair and Associate Professor of History
Rochester Institute of Technology

Anthony F. Lemieux
Director, Global Studies Institute and Professor of Global Studies and Communication
Georgia State University

John Marx
Professor and Department Chair of English
University of California, Davis

Cameron John McCoy
Associate Vice President for Economic Engagement
Lehigh University

Karen D. Morgan
Interim Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Experience and Associate Professor of Mathematics
New Jersey City University

Claudia Petrescu
Dean of Graduate Education
Oakland University

Lisa Rafalson
Associate Professor and Department Chair of Health Services Administration and
D'Youville College

Jennifer Scanlon
Director of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Program & William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies
Bowdoin College

Eileen Spain
Associate Dean of the College and Carl F. Braun Professor of Chemistry
Occidental College

Doria Kathleen Stitts
Associate Provost and Dean of University College and Lifelong Learning, and Interim Dean, the College of Arts, Sciences, Business and Education
Winston-Salem State University

Asmara M. Tekle
Professor of Law
Texas Southern University

Francisco Velez Torres
Dean of the College of Business and Administration
CETYS University

Juli Wade
Associate Provost for Faculty and Academic Staff Development
Michigan State University

Meenakshi Wadhwa
Director of the Center for Meteorite Studies and Professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration
Arizona State University

Nancy Wayne
Professor and Associate Vice Chancellor for Research
University of California, Los Angeles

Penny L. Yee
Associate Dean of Faculty and Professor of Psychology
Hamilton College

David Yoo
Vice Provost of the Institute of American Cultures
University of California, Los Angeles

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Juanita Banks

Director, ACE Fellows Program

Professional Learning

Juanita Banks

Director, ACE Fellows Program

Professional Learning

Lisa Motley

Senior Program Manager

SVP Office

Lisa Motley

Senior Program Manager

SVP Office

Applications are now closed for the 2025–26 cohort of the ACE Fellows Program.

dotEDU Live: ACE Fellows Go to DC (and Get Snowed In)!

In this special episode of dotEDU Live, hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer engage with the distinguished ACE Fellows, a prestigious group of faculty, staff, and administrators who are preparing for senior leadership roles in higher education.

Listen to the episode

ACE Fellows Program Information Sheet

Need a full overview in one place? Click below to download a comprehensive, printable information sheet about participating as an ACE Fellow.

Information Sheet (PDF)

Hosting an ACE Fellow

Want to learn more about hosting an ACE Fellow on your campus? Download this flyer to explore more details.

Information on Hosting an ACE Fellow (PDF)

Contact

Please feel free to email us at fellows@acenet.edu.