English professor to receive Distinguished Woman in Higher Education Leadership Award

The Michigan American Council on Education (ACE) Network has selected Department of English Language and Literature faculty member Maureen Eke to receive their highest honor, the Distinguished Woman in Higher Education Leadership Award.

The MI-ACE Network established the award in 2000 to salute the singular achievements of women who break barriers and establish leadership models for women professionals at all levels within higher education and within their communities.

Eke will receive her award along with three other Michigan educators at the MI-ACE Network state conference June 13. This year’s conference theme is "Women Lead in a New Era of Higher Education,” which will highlight challenges on women in higher education and their remarkable response as they lead and mentor other women of promise.

“It is an honor to receive this award, because it acknowledges that what I’ve been doing for several decades matters and has contributed to transforming humanity,” Eke said.

MI-ACE chose Eke for her efforts on behalf of the human need for community, connection and belonging through leading a number of programs that focus on equity, human rights, and social justice worldwide.

MI-ACE State Chair Linda Logan says the award recognizes “the insightful leadership of women in policymaking to create an open and just higher education environment.”