DISTINGUISHED WOMEN IN HIGHER EDUCATION LEADERSHIP AWARD CEREMONY AND LUNCHEON

11:45 AM - 1:00 PM

Kimberly M. Hurns, D.M., Presenter Vice Chancellor for Student Services Oakland County Community College

The MI-ACE Distinguished Woman in Higher Education Leadership Award was established by the Board in 2001 to recognize women who have made a significant difference in the lives of their colleagues, campus communities and profession. DWA honorees have often “broken the glass ceiling” and “moved the needle” for many of us. Each Distinguished Woman Awardee has been nominated by her campus President for notable service including:

• mentoring women to enhance their leadership skills in higher education

• promoting women into increasingly responsible roles in higher education

• planning and implementing programs for women providing advocacy for women’s issues in higher education

• serving as a catalyst for policy changes

• attaining a higher education leadership position in which the nominee serves as an inspiration or role model for other women

• being recognized state-wide, nationally or internationally for work on behalf of women in higher education

• demonstrating a philosophy of helping women that goes beyond job duties

• possessing a reputation for fairness, equity, and justice based on actions on behalf of women

• having a positive impact on women in leadership that goes beyond the nominee’s own campus including founding or originating events and programs to benefit women

• advancing women by breaking gender barriers in career roles

• conducting research on, writing about, or presenting on women’s leadership in higher education

MI-ACE Women’s Network 2022 Distinguished Woman Awardees

Maureen N. Eke, Ph.D. Professor of English Central Michigan University

Dr. Maureen Eke, an English professor and feminist human rights activist, has served in various capacities at CMU for 28 years. She is a self-identified African woman, where her vantage point as a scholar and global citizen have shaped her research, pedagogy, and praxis.

In addition to her scholarly work in African and African Diaspora literatures, post-colonialism, and women and gender studies, Dr. Eke pursues an activist research and outreach agenda that includes African women and development; youth empowerment and education; anti-racism; diversity/inclusion in education and organizations; conflict resolution and restorative justice; and human rights and social justice. As the current vice chair National Education Association Women’s Caucus, she advocates for the promotion of women into leadership positions in higher education and for the empowerment of women.

Dr. Eke has been recognized for her research and acts of service from the regional to the international level. She was recently elected by the City of Mount Pleasant to serve as a commissioner due to her wide-ranging reputation for advocacy; the needs of minoritized women, evidenced through her involvement in projects like the Refugee Board of Canada and US Immigration and Refugee cultural intervention for African women seeking asylum; and the Ahiazu (Nigeria) program for widows and the Jigwada (Nigeria) empowerment education for women and girls initiative led by the African Humanitarian Research and Educational Organization.

Students openly express their appreciation for her willingness to be a visible representation of motherhood and woman-guided leadership in the community. She is an exemplary example of what it means for women to lead in a new era of higher education.

Barbara Patrick, Ph.D. Department Head and Professor, Department of Political Science Director of Civil Rights & Social Justice Center Eastern

Michigan University

Dr. Patrick, Professor and Department Head of the Political Science Department, is also the founder and director of EMU’s Civil Rights & Social Justice Center. Dr. Patrick establishes collaborative networks across campus and in the region to develop new pathways and explore solutions to problems and dilemmas. She has worked with the EMU President’s Commission on Women to develop a mentorship program supporting economically deprived and female students of color. In the summer of 2022, she launched the Mentorship for Success Initiative, and when students and faculty returned from the pandemic, she organized a two-day summer workshop on diversity, “Where Do We Go from Here: Assessing the Status of Students of Color Across the Campus”; Race Matters: Equity & Action in Education.

Dr. Patrick is a prolific scholar, accessible teacher and department head, student advocate, and mentor. She influences the tone and direction of conversations to design solutions or address selected issues. For 3 years she served as Chairperson of the Faculty Senate Task force on Campus Climate, Race & Diversity Issues. She led an interdisciplinary team of faculty and students to create a 3-part video series entitled: “Creating a Culture of Belonging to EMU.” She has established relationships between EMU and Southern HBCU’s, resulting in a bridge program to EMU Graduate Studies. Dr. Patrick organized a roundtable discussion with Police Chiefs and Administrators serving 15 majority-minority or economically vulnerable cities in Southeast Michigan. Dr. Patrick is clearly a catalyst for policy change in areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice within higher education and her community. She is a “model of civic leadership and vision.”

Tara McCrackin, M.A. President, Kendall College of Art and Design Vice President Ferris State University

Tara McCrackin is the President of Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD) and concurrent Vice President of Ferris State University.

President McCrackin is a leader and champion of women both on and off campus skillfully advocating for women’s’ concerns and broader diversity issues through numerous platforms. She actively increases opportunities for women by providing mentorship to elevate female leaders within KCAD by identifying female employees and students that are receptive to training and grows their leadership abilities. She has a strong, female representation within her leadership team and cabinet and encourages female voices for representation on committees and leadership roles within KCAD.

President McCrackin is also a high respected community leader and colleague being recognized for her outstanding leadership both at Ferris and in the Greater Grand Rapids community. She is the recipient of the 2023 Helen Gillespie Ferris Distinguished Woman Leader Award and in 2022 she was named a finalist for the Grand Rapids Camber 33rd Annual ATHENA Award. In addition, she has received numerous international, regional, and local awards in the area of interior design.

As a former Girl Scout Leader, President McCrackin was featured in the Girl Scout for Life video series. Under her leadership, KCAD/FSU sponsored the Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore Annual Leadership Conference. Her work with the Kids’ Food Basket has inspired countless KCAD students and employees to give time and talents to that organization. President McCrackin serves on boards for community organizations such as ArtPrize 2.0 Steering Committee, Diatribe Endorsement council, Jim Crow Museum Endorsement Council, and Mel Trotter Art and Experience Committee.

President McCrackin has demonstrated a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging within her campus and community. She is an inspiration to students, staff, faculty and community leaders.

Michele Kelly, Ph.D. Dean of Liberal Arts and Science Schoolcraft College

Dr. Kelly was a first-generation college student when she arrived at Central Michigan University to pursue her bachelor’s degree in Communication. Since joining Schoolcraft College in 2018, she has worked tirelessly to promote the narrative that all community college students are scholars and deserve access to excellence in the classroom. She is especially interested in what she describes as the magical and transformative connection between teachers and students in the classroom and her scholarly work includes papers and presentations on this topic.

When Dr. Kelly arrived at Schoolcraft, she immediately got to work resurrecting MI-ACE at the college and served as the Institutional Representative (IR) working to elevate women in higher education. She participated in the Leadership Shadow Program and is an active member and advocate for the Network.

Dr. Kelly completed both Leadership Macomb and Leadership Detroit and later served on its planning board where she promoted Arts & Culture and particularly the intersection of women’s agency in creative occupations. She served as a board member at the Anton Art Center where she focused on diversity and equity and was appointed to represent Macomb County on the Art Authority. She is a longtime member of Impact100 Metro Detroit, a group of women committed to collective giving with the aim of fueling positive change in our communities. She has served as a Board Trustee for the Michigan Philharmonic and an appointed Board Trustee from the Farmington Community Library. Clearly, Dr. Kelly is an advocate for women’s issues both locally and globally.

Past MI-ACE Distinguished Women Honorees: A Recognition of Women Who Have Made a Difference

2001 – Nancy L. Barker, Northwood University

2002 – Jacqueline L. Zeff, University of Michigan – Flint

2003 – Barbara C. Steidl, Michigan State University

2004 – Barbara Mieras, Davenport University

2005 – Elizabeth H. Simmons, Michigan State University

2006 – Beth Alexander, Michigan State University

2007 – Janet Pisaneschi, Western Michigan University

2008 – Nancy S. Miller, Hope College

2008 – Mary Jane Thomson, Alpena Community College

2008 – Claudia Douglass, Central Michigan University

2008 – Stephanie Bulger, Wayne County Community College District

2009 – Gayle Davis, Grand Valley State University

2010 – Kathleen M. Wilbur – Central Michigan University

2010 – Martha Warfield, Western Michigan University

2011 – Fatma Mili, Oakland University

2011 – Gilda G. Gely, Grand Rapids Community College

2012 – Caroline J. Simon, Hope College

2012 – Marcy Weston, Central Michigan University

2012 – Deborah Hautau, Alpena Community College

2013 – Phyllis Ivory Vroom, Wayne State University

2013 – Laurie Chesley, Grand Rapids Community College

2014 – Lillian Frick, Mid Michigan Community College

2014 – Rene Shingles, Central Michigan University

2014 – Martha E. Pollack, University of Michigan

2015 – Roberta C. Teahen, Ferris State University

2015 – Margaret Mosqueda, Delta College

2016 – Margaret Crouch, Eastern Michigan University

2016 – Patti Trepkowski, Grand Rapids Community College

2017 – Chief Theresa Stephens-Lock, Mott Community College

2017 – Christine Wallace, Kettering University

2018 – Olukemi Fadayomi, Ferris State University

2018 – Cindy Allen, Jackson College

2019 – Kay Keck, Kellogg Community College

2019 – Ann Austin, Michigan State University

2020 – Katie Kiacz, Mott Community College

2020 – Carla Koretsky, Western Michigan University

2020 – Rebecca Campbell, Michigan State University

2021 – Kim DiCaro, Wayne Community College District

2021 – C. Michelle Piskulich, Oakland University

2021 – DeLois Leapheart, Northwood University

2022 – Keri Becker, Grand Valley State University

2022 – Teresa Woodruff, Michigan State University

2022 – Tonya Bailey, Lansing Community College

1:00 PM – 1:15 PM

Networking Break

1:15 PM – 2:15 PM

Breakout Sessions

Breakout Session A

Advancing Your Education and Staying In It

This presentation is designed to encourage women who work in higher education, to pursue college degrees, especially advanced degrees, and overcome barriers so they will graduate with a master’s or doctorate degree, stay in higher education to be role models and support systems for students.

Betty Dennis, Ph.D., Presenter Director

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

College of Health and Human Services

Western Michigan University

Breakout Session B

MI-ACE Young Women Strong Leaders (YWSL)

Informational Session & Developing Presentation Skills

This session will focus on professional development programs to build your career portfolio. Participants will also engage in career related stories and a needs assessment survey to support professionals in the early stages of their careers (1 to 3 years).

Linda Logan, Ph.D., Presenter Vice President Chief Inclusion Officer University

of Olivet

Deanna Kowaleski, M.A., Presenter Program Coordinator

Diversity & Community Involvement

Women’s Resource Center

Martha Grier, M.A., Presenter

Associate Vice Chancellor for Board and Public Relations Office of the Chancellor

Wayne County Community College District

Breakout Session C

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Peer Reviewer Opportunities

If you’re looking for ways to grow your skills and assist other institutions at the same time, consider becoming a HLC Peer Reviewer! This session will engage attendee in the benefits of peer service, expectations for reviewers, and minimum qualifications.

Reva Curry, Ph.D., Presenter Vice-President of Instruction and Learning Services Delta College

Joi Cunnigham, J.D., Presenter Vice President of Human Resources

Oakland University

Breakout Session D

2022-2025 MI-ACE Public Policy Committee Priorities

Join in this interactive session and explore how public policy effects our campuses. The 2022-25 MI-ACE Public Policy Priorities and our new Guide to Public Policy on your Campus will be introduced to inform our discussion about how to effectively engage with policy on your campus, and how you can embrace and advance this work with your campus network.

Laurie T. Evans, Ph.D., Presenter MI-ACE Public Policy Committee MI-ACE IR Committee

Yvette McElroy-Anderson, Ed.D., Presenter Executive Director of Government Relations Wayne County

Community College District

Breakout Session E

Being Strategic about Achieving your Career Goals

As women in administrative roles, it is essential to build key leadership skills so that we can be more effective leaders and managers. Often for those with supervisory or non-supervisory responsibilities, we must guide and lead through influence. But we must do this strategically and intentionally. Our goal is for participants to leave this session with tools for a strategic approach to career planning, along with strategies, resources, and opportunities they can employ to successfully fulfill their goals.

Dorine Lawrence-Hughes, J.D., Ed.D., Presenter Assistant Dean

Division of Undergraduate Education, College of Literature, Science and the Arts

University of Michigan

Breakout Session F

How our Distinguished Award Winners are Leading in a New Era

Join the dynamic winners of the 2023 Distinguished Women in Higher Education Leadership award. Hear how they are leading in a new era while balancing the demands of a fast and ever-changing macro environment. Our awardees will share the skills they are sharpening and the habits they are managing to successfully lead. Joined by 2023 DWA award winners Dr. Maureen Eke, Dr. Barbara Patrick, Tera McCrackin and Dr. Michele Kelly.

Kimberly M. Hurns, D.M., Moderator Vice Chancellor for Student Services Oakland County Community College

Breakout Session G

Personal Safety On and Off Campus

This presentation will provide an overview of personal safety strategies and will cover topics typically handled by the U-M Special Victims Unit including stalking, intimate partner/ dating violence and sexual assault. We will discuss how to identify and respond to these incidents with a focus on early intervention and engaging confidential resources in your community.

Margie Pillsbury, Presenter

Lead Police Officer- Special Victims Unit

Investigations Coordinator

Division of Public Safety and Security

University of Michigan

Maureen Burke, Presenter

Lead Police Officer- Special Victims Unit

Outreach and Engagement Coordinator

Division of Public Safety and Security

University for Michigan

Breakout Session H

Cafe Conversations

Self-Guided Session

2:15 PM – 2:30 PM

Networking Break

Final Plenary

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Roles and Responsibilities in Higher Education: Ombuds, DEI and Civil Rights & Title IX

Learn what brought these leaders to their current positions, how leadership has supported them to accomplish their missions, and what future initiatives look like for their insitutions and more.

LaQwana ‘Q’ Dockery, M.A., MSW Moderator

Program Manager Intercultural Center

University of Michigan, Flint

Julia Heck, M.A. Panelist

Associate Director

Office of the Ombuds

Eastern Michigan University

Tanesia White, MBA Panelist

Civil Rights Director

Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX

University of Michigan

David J. Luke, Ph.D. Panelist

Chief Diversity Officer Director of the Intercultural Center

University of Michigan, Flint