The American Council on Education Fellows Program offers first-hand experience for future education leaders

by Dr. Sonya Duhé

“No one is thinking if everyone is thinking alike.” General George Patton

From a 20th-century warrior to 21st- century leaders, a common thread is that person’s ability to mold resources cooperatively toward a common goal, while simultaneously encouraging independent thought.

In many respects, a university does just this. While hosting a diverse group of many different schools and colleges, each school brings a unique and independent perspective to the university, all work towards a common goal.

Programs such as the American Council on Education’s Fellows Program (ACE Fellows) offers individuals aspiring to leadership positions in higher education an opportunity to receive valuable, first hand experience at the top level of a university. ACE Fellows gain knowledge of the many unique features and courses of study offered at a university and the separate, yet common role each play in supporting and strengthening the institution.

For example, in the School of Journalism, we offer undergraduate degrees to some 1,500 majors, ranging from electronic and print journalism, visual communications, public relations and advertising. And while we do offer graduate programs, our undergraduate courses require countless hours of one-on-one teaching and hands-on instruction. Compare that to a school where departments exclusively teach graduate students. While one can see that the two schools are a valuable part of the university, both have unique professional staffs with differing research faculty and teaching profiles.

While a researcher in the health sciences leads grants to the National Institutes of Health, across campus, a social scientist could play a more supporting role in that same proposal. But, both faculty members serve critical roles in securing extramural funding for our university.

A good leader has the judgment to see the uniqueness, strength and richness of various disciplines and how, together, a mixture of programs from a wide variety of disciplines from humanities to hard sciences, with all their differences, enrich our university.

Considered the nation’s premier higher education leadership development program, the ACE Fellows Program has prepared senior leaders to serve American colleges and universities since 1965. Hundreds of vice presidents, deans, department chairs, faculty and other emerging leaders have participated in the year-long fellowship. Of some 1,450 Fellows to date, nearly 300 have served as chief executive officers in higher education.

What separates ACE from other leadership programs is that an ACE Fellow spends an extended period of time on another campus, working directly with presidents and senior leaders to observe strategic planning, resource allocation, policy development and other challenges. Fellows participate in meetings and events, taking on special assignments while under the mentorship of a team of experienced administrators. During the year-long fellowship, participants attend three, week-long national seminars, visit other campuses and attend national gatherings. They work with a national network of higher education leaders and perhaps most important, learn by doing.

An ACE Fellow becomes immersed in the culture, policies and decision making processes of another institution, developing years of on the job experience and skills in only 12 months.

It’s this gaining of a wider perspective is what a good leader is all about. An ACE Fellow learns these leadership skills and how to see the big picture of the university.

To become an ACE Fellow, you must be nominated by top University leaders. If you’re interested in finding out more about becoming an ACE Fellow, contact Dr. Sonya Duhé, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, 803 777-3321 or sduhé@sc.edu.