Kenya Ayers-Palmore, Ed.D., president of TCC Northeast, was recently selected to serve on the Board of Directors for the American Council on Education (ACE).
Founded in 1918, the organization has played a significant role in shaping higher education in the United States. According to their website (acenet.edu), ACE “convenes, organizes, mobilizes, and leads advocacy efforts that shape effective public policy and help colleges and universities best serve their students, their communities and the wider public good.” They assist institutions in building their capacity through high-quality innovation. ACE works to improve equity, expand access to colleges and universities and diversify the higher education leadership pipeline.
“The American Council on Education is our nation’s most comprehensive advocacy body for higher education. ACE is the only major higher education association to represent all types and sectors of U.S. accredited, degree-granting institutions: two-year and four-year, public and private. ACE member institutions educate two out of every three students,” said Ayers-Palmore. “I am humbled to have the opportunity to have a seat at the ACE Board table as a voice for the voiceless at this pivotal time in American higher education. ACE has contributed to my leadership development for 20 years. I am honored to give back.”
Ayers-Palmore served as an ACE Fellow for FY 16 while being mentored by the Chancellor/President Renu Khator of the University of Houston system. She has expanded her leadership effectiveness through programs with ACE (National Leadership Program) and other organizations. She previously served as state coordinator for the Michigan ACE Network for Women Leaders in Higher Education, catalyzing the leadership capacity of women statewide.
She joined TCC as president of the Northeast Campus in 2019.