MI-ACE Women’s Network

Professional Development Committee

Strategic Plan

(3 year plan)

Executive Summary:

The Michigan ACE Women’s Network Professional Development Committee posts current programs, services, events and employment information for member institutions that provide professional development opportunities for women in higher education.

The strategic plan consists of goals and objectives that facilitate professional development opportunities and organizational awareness for member institutions throughout the state in accordance with the MI-ACE Women’s Network mission and vision:

  • Mission Statement

In concert with the Inclusive Excellence Group of the American Council on Education, the Michigan ACE Women’s Network is committed to identifying, developing the leadership of, advancing, and supporting the retention of women in higher education throughout the state.

  • Vision Statement

We envision an open and just higher education environment in which women and men share their talents and voices equally in management and policy making to improve the quality of higher education. Therefore, we focus on building a substantial network of women in Michigan higher education by providing leadership, resources, and services such as professional development, networking, partnering with women’s networks in other professional fields, and engaging in public advocacy to empower our members to achieve career success and gain a greater voice.

Summary of Strategic Plan:

This three-year strategic plan will provide a coordinated framework for communicating vital information regarding local, state and national leadership and advancement opportunities to women at all levels of leadership.

Strategic Focus: The Professional Development Committee will connect women to services and opportunities available through the Network, as well as the national office of the American Council on Education, other organizations that support women in higher education and member institutions.

Goal No. 1: Advance Professional Development for Member Institutions

Objective: To promote and develop programs and initiatives that address ACE’s IDEALS :

  • Identify women leaders nationally in higher education;
  • Develop women’s leadership abilities;
  • Encourage women leaders to use their abilities;
  • Advance more women into leadership positions;
  • Link women to other women and mentors;
  • Support the tenure of women administrators and educators at all levels.

Plan of Action:

  • Promote the scholarship offerings to various local, regional and national ACE leadership forums and meetings, including the MI-ACE Annual Conference.
  • Promote established programs of the Network, i.e., the Women of Color Collaborative Luncheon, Young Women Strong Leaders, etc.
  • Assist in broadening the involvement of women in higher education by linking them to various MI-ACE committees.

Goal No. 2: Serve as a professional development resource for member institutions

Objective: To engage in member institutions’ professional development programs by providing speakers and/or consultants to assist with planning and implementation of effective offerings as a benefit of membership in the MI-ACE.

Plan of Action:

  • Encourage utilization of the Speakers and Consultants Bureau as a resource with vast amounts of expertise within the state at no cost to member institutions.
  • Encourage participation in the MI-ACE Senior-Level Job Shadow Program.
  • Develop electronic marketing to be shared with Institutional Representatives (IRs), human resources offices, and women’s centers (or related offices) if they have them.

Goal No. 3: Create awareness of MI-ACE and its mission

Objective: To become a viable part of all professional development programming at member institutions in order to broaden our local and state-wide audience.

Plan of Action:

  • Update the Network’s website to include information about the Speakers and Consultants Bureau.
  • Continuous work with Institutional Representatives to bring programming to member institutions.

Goal No 4: Support and promote MI-ACE Women’s Network Annual Conference

Objective: To become an established part of the annual conference.

Plan of Action

  • Submit proposals for break-out sessions.
  • Staff information table.

Conclusion: The Professional Development Committee is committed to achieving intentional results through communicating and coordinating leadership development opportunities that are successful.

02/03/17