The network has established this award to offer support for participation in the American Council on Education's Leadership programs including the National and Regional Leadership Forums and the Spectrum Aspiring and Executive Leadership Programs. These 3-day leadership programs are intended for women administrators who aspire to senior-level posts in higher education. National Forums, typically held in Washington DC in early summer and winter, are designed for women holding senior-level positions and who seek a college or university presidency, vice presidency, or major deanship. Regional Forums, held in locations around the US in spring and fall, are intended for women in mid-level administrative posts who seek senior administration roles. The Spectrum series is offered specifically for women of color who see leadership roles in institutions of higher education.

The Forums and Spectrum Series are highly interactive and enable participants to obtain practical training, to develop conversancy about critical functional areas of leadership, and to learn through direct experience about the search process for senior-level position. In addition, participants develop their professional networks of peers of similar background and aspiration.

Professional women employed by any college or university that is part of the ACE Women's Network-Ohio are eligible to apply. Two-three awards will be offered to partially reimburse the cost of attending ($1,000 for each forum or spectrum series).

Award applications for 2017 are due September 1, 2017. 

To apply for the Award:

In an email addressed to Dr. Maria Cronley, Awards Committee Chair, m-cronley@onu.edu please provide the following:

(1) Your full contact information, including your name, title, college/university, address, phone and email.

(2) A cover letter detailing how attending the leadership forum will enhance your leadership development goal.

(3) A CV or Resume.

Please contact Dr. Maria Cronley at 513-304-2270 or m-cronley@onu.edu with any questions.

Past Recipients

ACE Regional, National Forum and Spectrum Awards

Dr. Robin Selzer (2016), Assistant Professor, Pre-health Internship Program, Division of Experiential-Based Learning and Career Education, University of Cincinnati. Dr. Selzer plans to attend ACE Regional Leadership Forums to prepare for senior level posts in higher education.

Dr. Stephanie Goodwin (2016), Director of Faculty Development & Leadership, Wright State University. Dr. Goodwin plans to attend ACE Regional Leadership Forums to prepare for senior level posts in higher education.

Spectrum Aspiring Series Award

Yulanda McCarty-Harris (2015) is a Senior Certified Affirmative Action Professional and currently serves as the Director of the Office for Institutional Equity at Cleveland State University.  She graduated from Southern Methodist University School of Law in Dallas and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin in journalism. Yulanda plans to use her professional development award to attend the Spectrum Aspiring Leaders Program.  This program is a newer professional development opportunity offered by our sponsoring organization, the American Council of Education.  It is designed to advance mid-level leaders from diverse backgrounds into senior leadership ranks of higher education.

National Forum Award

Dr. Donna Hight (2014) has served as the Chief Student Life and Retention Officer for The Ohio State University at Mansfield since August 2005. She grew up in North Carolina and worked in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia before coming to Ohio ten years ago. She has experience in both academic and student affairs. She serves on Ohio State's President's and Provost's Council on Women. She is grateful to OSU's Women's Place for their ongoing support of her professional development, including supporting her attendance at the HERS Institute at Bryn Mawr in 2010, the Authentic Action in Leadership Institute in 2013, and encouraging her involvement in ACE Ohio.

Regional Forum Award

Dr. Melissa Gruys (2014) is a Professor and the Chair of the Department of Management and International Business in the Raj Soin College of Business at Wright State University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota-Morris with majors in Management, Economics, and Speech Communications and her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in Human Resources and Industrial Relations. Dr. Gruys has won teaching, research, and service awards at Wright State University and Washington State University-Vancouver. She has authored over twenty peer reviewed journal articles, appearing in top tier and high quality management journals. As an academic for the past fifteen years, and now in her administrative position, she has mentored fellow women faculty, staff, and graduate and undergraduate students.