who we are

About Us

Our Story

About the Network

The ACE Women’s Network–Southern California is part of a national group of networks that carry on the work of the ACE Inclusive Excellence Group and the ACE Women’s Network Executive Council. For more than 25 years, the ACE Women’s Network has provided information and counsel to constituencies within the higher education community regarding policies, issues, education, and research that influence women’s equity, diversity and advancement. The ACE Women’s Network is open to anyone who supports its mission, regardless of sex, promoting inclusive leadership and professional development opportunities for all individuals. 

Our Vision

The ACE Women’s Network of Southern California (Network) will be recognized as the premier vehicle for connecting individuals at all levels of higher education in Southern California, providing support to further professional development and advancement, and transforming higher education locally, nationally, and globally.

Our Mission

The ACE Women’s Network Southern California (Network) facilitates the networking of those interested in pursuing leadership opportunities in higher education, allows for the sharing of best practices, and enables local leadership programming by the state networks. The Network draws from the resources of ACE’s Inclusive Excellence Group and provides a means for implementing the IDEALS core principles in supporting women leaders in higher education:

IDEALS Core Principles

The IDEALS core principles of the ACE Women’s Network focus on Identifying, Developing, Encouraging, Advancing, Linking, and Supporting women in higher education. These principles guide the Network’s mission to empower future leaders, foster mentorship, and create inclusive opportunities for professional growth.

Identify

women leaders

Develop

their leadership abilities

Encourage

the use of those abilities

Advance

women’s careers

Link

them to the women and mentors

Support

women in mid- and executive-level positions throughout their careers

Strategic Initiatives

Governance structure for sustainability: Develop a governance structure for ACE Women’s Network Southern California, resulting in transparent and well-documented procedures and practices, succession planning, and clear ways for all institutions and rising leaders to participate in the governance of the Network.
Revenue generation for self-support: Generate revenues to support the activities of the Network from membership dues and member involvement in professional development activities.
Pipeline development: Develop strategies to identify and encourage women to enter the higher education leadership pipeline (Identify & Encourage)
Leadership Development: Provide leadership development opportunities for women in higher education by identifying the leadership development needs of women in the network, and creating multiple pathways to serve diverse needs (Develop, Advance, Link, Support).
History

A Legacy of Leadership, Mentorship, and Empowerment in Higher Education

The ACE Women’s Network of Southern California continues to facilitate the networking of women interested in pursuing leadership opportunities in higher education. As an independent state-based network led by our State Chair and Board of Directors, the network facilitates connections, allows for sharing of best practices, and enables local leadership training.

2012

Growing the Leadership Pipeline

The ACE American College President Study revealed that women hold 26% of college presidencies. The study concluded that the ACE’s leadership development programs are needed to continue to foster the growth of a more diverse pool of institutional leaders.

2012
2015

Presidential Leadership Panel

Dr. Coley participated in the Presidential Panel at CSU San Marcos with Dr. Jane Close Conoley, (President CSU Long Beach) and Dr. Lisa Rossbacher (President, Humboldt State). The conference theme was Leadership Lessons & Blissful Balance.

2015
2016

Moving the Needle Initiative

ACE announced the launch of the Moving the Needle: Advancing Women in Higher Education Leadership initiative. As a national campaign, the initiative asks presidents of colleges, universities, and related associations to commit to helping achieve the goal that by 2030, half of U.S. colleges and university chief executives are women.

2016
2018

Transition of Presidential Sponsor

After 13 years of serving as the ACE Women’s Network of Southern California Presidential Sponsor, Dr. Karen Haynes (CSU San Marcos President) announced her retirement and determined that the Network’s next Presidential Sponsor would be Cal Poly Pomona President, Dr. Soraya Coley.

2018
2019

Leadership Transition to CPP

Network leadership transitioned from CSUSM to CPP with Dr. Shanthi Srinivas as State Chair. Lunch & Learn events focused on empowered leadership as well as advocacy, leadership, and personal responsibility.

2019
2020

Virtual Expansion Amid the Pandemic

To enable the continuation of networking and professional development during the pandemic, the Network transitioned to online/virtual events called Connect & Learn and held the annual conference virtually, focusing on the topic of inclusive leadership.

2020
2021

Strengthening Governance & Strategy

Dr. Olukemi Sawyerr was selected as the new ACE State Chair. Under the expanded leadership, sub-committees developed a new governance structure, multi-year strategic plan, vision statement, mission statement, and goals.

2021
2022

Establishing Structure & Growth

The committees and members adopted bylaws, formed a governing board of directors, and selected an inaugural advisory council. This also marked a return to in-person events with the much-anticipated event, Women Empowering Women Through Allyship.

2022
Guiding Our Mission and Leadership

Our bylaws outline the governance, membership structure, and guiding principles that shape the ACE Women’s Network and its commitment to advancing women in higher education.

View ByLaws
Our Institutional Sponsors
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