President Denise A. Battles. Photo credit: Keith Walters
President Denise A. Battles has been elected vice chair/chair-elect of the American Council on Education’s (ACE) Council of Fellows. The Council of Fellows comprises alumni of the ACE Fellows Program, which is regarded as the country’s premier higher education leadership development experience, preparing senior leaders to serve American colleges and universities.
Battles has previously held leadership positions in the Council of Fellows, having served as both a board and executive committee member, in addition to being tapped for numerous assignments, including chair of the professional development committee. Battles served as an ACE Fellow from 2000-01 at Auburn University under the mentorship of then-President William V. Muse.
"I am deeply honored to have been selected for a leadership role in this highly influential program,” said Battles. “As we look to address the needs of higher education for the 21st century, it is vital that we cultivate and prepare the next generation of college and university leaders to successfully meet those challenges. As president of one of the nation’s foremost public liberal arts colleges, I believe we at SUNY Geneseo have much to contribute to and learn from these discussions. I look forward to collaborating with my fellow board members to continue this important work.”
The Council of Fellows has a mission to provide continued professional development opportunities for its members. The Fellows immerse themselves for a year in the culture, policies, and decision-making processes of other institutions. Since 1965, more than 1,900 chancellors, presidents, vice presidents, deans, department chairs, faculty, and other emerging leaders have participated in the ACE Fellows Program.