Harper College dean named ACE Fellow, a first for the Palatine community college

A Harper College dean will join a select group of her peers honing their leadership skills next year through a prestigious education fellowship.

Kenya Ayers, the college's dean for academic enrichment and engagement, is the first Harper employee to be named an American Council on Education Fellow. Only 47 administrators across the country earned the honor, and she is one of only two from the community college ranks.

Harper College President Ken Ender, who was an ACE Fellow in 1994-95, nominated Ayers.

"I am truly excited and humbled by this unparalleled opportunity for professional growth," Ayers said in a news release. "My aim is to apply what I learn during my fellowship year to support Harper's commitment to student success."

The program aims to provide a "leadership pipeline" for colleges and universities, ACE President Molly Corbett Broad said in the release. More than 300 Fellows have served as college CEOS, and more than 1,300 as provosts, vice presidents and deans.

Ayers already oversees more than 125 faculty and staff in instruction areas like developmental reading and writing and adult education. She also has helped launch the Education and Work Center in Hanover Park, and bring improvements to the college's Learning and Career Center in Prospect Heights.