Women’s Affairs dean named ACE Fellow

Yvette Alex-Assensoh, dean of IU Office for Women’s Affairs, was named an American Council on Education Fellow for 2010-11 by the organization.

Alex-Assensoh, a professor in the Department of Political Science in the College of Arts and Sciences, was nominated by provost and Executive Vice President Karen Hanson.

As an ACE Fellow, Alex-Assensoh will “shadow a university president and other senior leaders at a host institution and assist in developing policies and programs,” according to an IU press release.

“I feel deeply honored by this opportunity,” Alex-Assensoh said in the release.

“Through these experiences, I fervently hope to gain a broader view of campus leadership and ‘politics’ in higher education as well as sharpening my own leadership skills so that I can be in a better position, upon the completion of the ACE Fellowship year, to serve our own campus in particular and the higher education community in general.”

Out of almost 1,700 participants, more than 300 have become chief executive officers and more than 1,100 have become provosts, vice presidents or deans.

“We’re extremely pleased with the strength of the incoming class,” said Sharon McDade, director of the ACE Fellows Program, in the release. “The Fellows Program will sharpen and enhance their leadership skills and their network and prepare them to address issues of concern to the higher education community.”

Hanson agrees, saying Alex-Assensoh will benefit the entire campus after this fellowship.

“We are delighted that Dean Alex-Assensoh has been selected for this prestigious fellowship,” Hanson said. “It is an affirmation of her significant academic accomplishments and the high expectations for her future success. Her experience as an ACE Fellow will provide important benefits to her and to the IU Bloomington campus.”

— Lindsey Erdody