Overseen by Beth Adcock Shiroishi, The Associated Colleges of the South (“ACS”) Academic Leadership Fellows program is an embedded two-year fellowship for tenured humanities faculty who are committed to diversity and who aspire to a position in higher education administrative leadership. The fellowship includes an administrative position within leadership at their current institution combined with a supportive cohort experience that provides in-person programming, formal mentorship, monthly virtual curriculum, and professional development funds and experiences.
Each fellow will take on a two-year role at their institution involving a portfolio of responsibilities or a distinct institutional project. Fellows receive a release from certain teaching responsibilities, along with a stipend and professional development fund. Each fellow will also benefit from two mentors—one on their home campus and one external expert in higher education administration.
The fellows take part in cohort programming and professional development aimed at fully supporting their transition into higher education leadership. Fellows will participate in meetings with experts on topics relevant to higher education administration, campus visits to participating institutions, and monthly virtual gatherings for networking and sharing experiences and best practices. In addition, there are periodic gatherings of fellows from ACS with other consortia offering similar programming.