American Council on Education Seeks to Train Women for College Presidencies

The American Council on Education (ACE) recently announced the creation of the Spectrum Executive Leadership Program, an initiative that has the goal of making the leadership of higher education more representative of the people it serves. ACE notes that women make up 57 percent of all enrollments in higher education yet only 26 percent of college and university presidents are women.

The Spectrum Executive Leadership Program is an eight-month program of intensive study and guidance for senior level administrators who are seeking to become college presidents in the near future. The program is supported by funding from American Express.

Up to 35 individuals seeking presidencies in the near future will be selected. Beginning in March 2013, the participants will have the opportunity for candid conversations in face-to-face meetings with mentors, as well as access to two webinars. They also will be matched with a college president who will serve as their adviser throughout the program.

“The Spectrum Executive Leadership Program will add to our already robust suite of learning opportunities for aspiring administrators to advance in higher education,” said Gretchen M. Bataille, ACE senior vice president for Leadership and Lifelong Learning. “We hope to build future leaders who will bring new and exciting approaches to the colleges and universities they one day will oversee.”