The American Council on Education (ACE) has announced that Wanda Ford, D.M., interim executive director of Title III Programs at Florida A&M University (FAMU) has been named an ACE Fellow for the 2014-15 academic year.
The ACE Fellows Program, established in 1965, is designed to strengthen institutions and leadership in American higher education by identifying and preparing emerging leaders for senior positions in college and university administration. Thirty-one Fellows, nominated by the senior administration of their institutions, were selected this year following a rigorous application process.
Ford has more than 20 years of experience in higher education administration. In her current capacity, Ford is responsible for overseeing the programmatic and financial aspects of approximately $11 million in Title III funding awarded to the university by the U.S. Department of Education. During her tenure at FAMU, she has served as director of sponsored programs, director of contracts and grants and associate controller.
“I am honored to be named a 2014-15 ACE Fellow,” said Ford. “I’m grateful for the nomination and all of the support and encouragement to pursue this learning opportunity. I look forward to enhancing my leadership skills to further assist the university in continuing to achieve its motto of ‘Excellence with Caring.’”
The ACE Fellows Program combines three retreats on higher education issues organized by ACE; interactive learning opportunities; campus visits and placement at another higher education institution to condense years of on-the-job experience and skills development into a single semester or year. Ford’s fellowship will include tackling an issue of focus for FAMU, while spending the next academic year working with a college or university president and other senior officers at a host institution.
Joan Wodiska, ACE vice president and chief leadership officer, noted that many previous Fellows have advanced into major positions in academic administration. Nearly 2,000 higher education leaders have participated in the ACE Fellows Program since its inception, with more than 300 Fellows having served as chief executive officers of colleges or universities, and more than 1,300 having served as provosts, vice presidents and deans.
“For nearly 50 years, the ACE Fellows Program has transformed lives and grown future leaders,” said Joan Wodiska, ACE vice president and chief leadership officer. “The ACE Fellows Program is unique. The program immerses Fellows in learning experiences to gain insight and understanding into the changing environment of higher education.”
Founded in 1918, ACE is the major coordinating body for all the nation's higher education institutions, representing more than 1,600 college and university presidents, and more than 200 related associations, nationwide. It provides leadership on key higher education issues and influences public policy through advocacy. For more information, please visit www.acenet.edu or follow ACE on Twitter @ACEducation.