About MI-ACE Women's Network
The Michigan American Council on Education Women’s Network (MI-ACE) is the professional network for Michigan women in higher education. We work in concert with the ACE Office of Inclusive Excellence Group nationally to identify, develop, encourage, advance, link, and support women in higher education.
The MI-ACE was formed in 1978, one year after the national program was inaugurated. Initially, a planning committee (now the Executive Board) was formed to represent all segments of higher education in the state, and a woman holding a senior-level administrative position was identified to lead the effort. A 16-member Executive Board, led by the State Chair, currently conducts the network’s activities along with Institutional Representatives.
MI-ACE is an award-winning network. The network was nationally recognized in 2005 by the ACE Office of Women in Higher Education and again in 2016 when it received the National ACE State Network Leadership Award for the Advancement of Women in Higher Education.
We are the voice of women in higher education in Michigan. We host a conference each year designed to advance and support women in higher education.
Chapter highlights and initiatives
CMU'S MI-ACE Women's Network engages in professional development, equity initiatives, and public events. Below are highlights from the Central Michigan University Chapter.
About the video
Sealing the Deal: The Art of Negotiation During the Job Search | March 12, 2024 | Dr. Shaetina Jones shares negotiation strategies for women hoping to seal a deal that works in their best interest and recognizes their value | Presented by The Links, Incorporated and CMU MI-ACE Women’s Network
Distinguished Woman in Higher Education Leadership Award
Central Michigan University Professor, Dr. Maureen Eke, is awarded the Distinguished Woman in Higher Education Leadership Award in 2023. This award was established in 2000 and is presented to multiple women who have made extraordinary strides in the field of Higher Education. Dr. Maureen Eke is a leading scholar in her field and holds graduate degrees in Comparative Literature from Indiana University, Bloomington. Dr Eke is internationally recognized as a human rights activist, scholar, academic, and educator. Previously serving as the AVP for Diversity and International Education at CMU (2002-2006), her formative experiences during the Biafra/Nigerian war (1966-1970) instilled in her a dedication to addressing issues of social justice and human rights, particularly concerning women and youth. Through mentoring numerous women across various institutions and teaching courses on human rights and literature, African American literature, world literature, and Women Writers, she tirelessly advocates for marginalized communities. Her research focuses primarily on the writings of Black women across the African Diaspora and extends to presentations on women and girls in sustainable development at conferences such as the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Active in organizations such as the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and Zonta International, she champions women’s rights and empowerment. Locally, she serves as a commissioner in the City of Mt. Pleasant, MI, and chairs the Isabella County Human Rights Committee, demonstrating her commitment to gender equity, peace, and justice through her multifaceted contributions as an educator, advocate, and community leader. We are proud to have her as part of our community.