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The American Council on Education (ACE) announced that Dr. Rosaria Meek, a University of North Georgia (¹û¶³´«Ã½) assistant professor of Spanish, has been named an ACE Fellow for the 2022-23 academic year. Following nominations by the senior administration of their institutions and a rigorous application process, were selected this year.

Originally from Agrigento, Italy, Meek has been with ¹û¶³´«Ã½ for seven years and teaches on the Oconee Campus. As a fellow in the ACE program, Meek will join a cohort-based mentorship model that 2,500 higher education leaders have participated in over the past five decades, with more than 80% of fellows having gone on to serve as senior leaders of colleges and universities. During the placement, Meek will observe and work with the president and other senior officers at her host institution, attend decision-making meetings, and focus on issues of interest.

"I encourage others to lean on their mentors and when someone recognizes your capabilities, don't be scared," Meek said. "It's important to grow and be able to better our institutions."

It matters to me and other women. It gives importance to the voice and place that women have in a leadership role.

Dr. Rosaria Meek

¹û¶³´«Ã½ assistant professor of Spanish

Nominated by ¹û¶³´«Ã½ President Bonita Jacobs for the ACE Fellows Program, Meek went through an extensive application and interview process for which she says she is humbled and appreciative.

"It's particularly important because the nomination comes from a great leader," Meek said. "It matters to me and other women. It gives importance to the voice and place that women have in a leadership role."

Meek is eager to start the program with an open mind and learn how other leaders are approaching innovation and problem-solving at their respective institutions to bring about impactful transformations.

"The ACE Fellows Program embodies ACE's goal of enriching the capacity of agile leaders to problem-solve and innovate, and it fuels the expansion of a talented and diverse higher education leadership pipeline," ACE President Ted Mitchell said. "Fellows continue to excel in prominent leadership roles, and the potential of this new cohort to bring strong leadership to institutions across America greatly excites me."

Established in 1965, the ACE Fellows Program combines retreats, interactive learning opportunities, visits to campuses and other higher education-related organizations, and placement at another higher education institution to condense years of on-the-job experience and skills development into a single year.