About

The ACE Fellows program has an unmatched track record of launching careers at the highest levels of American higher education. The program annually selects a cohort of mid- and senior-level higher education administrators who aspire to the presidency and other leadership roles. Fellows spend a year in an immersive, experiential placement, shadowing a sitting college or university president and their cabinet, as well as participating in three in-person leadership retreats, and receiving one-on-one mentorship from former presidents. 

According to ACE President Dr. Ted Mitchell,“ The Pullias Center brings the leadership expertise, research depth and commitment to equity that the ACE Fellows program deserves. This partnership reflects exactly the kind of evidence-informed, mission-driven collaboration that moves our sector forward."  "ACE is excited to have the Pullias Center as the critical partner of this flagship program," said Dr. Hironao Okhana, Managing Researcher and Chief of Planning & Impact at ACE. "The depth of leadership, scholarship and the genuine commitment to equity that defines the Pullias team make them the ideal partner to carry this program forward."

"The ACE Fellows Program has been transforming higher education leadership for six decades, and we are honored to help steward its next chapter," said Dr. Adrianna Kezar, Director of the Pullias Center, Wilbur-Kieffer Professor of Higher Education and Dean's Professor of Leadership at USC Rossier. "This partnership is a natural extension of our Center's mission and strengths." An internationally-recognized expert on change, leadership, governance, faculty and equity, Kezar will shepherd the collective effort, along with a key team of leadership and professional development experts from the Pullias Center.

ACE is a membership organization that leads higher education with a united vision for the future, galvanizing our members to make change and collaborating across the sector to design solutions for today’s challenges, serve the needs of a diverse student population, and shape effective public policy. As the major coordinating body for the nation’s colleges and universities, our strength lies in our diverse membership of about 1,600 colleges and universities, related associations, and other organizations in America and abroad. ACE is the only major higher education association to represent all types of U.S. accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities.