The 2025-26 academic year brings the celebration of the tenth year of the MI-ACE Women’s Network Senior-Level Leadership Job Shadow Program. This formal mentorship program provides mid-level women leaders who aspire to a senior-level positions the opportunity to enhance their professional knowledge and skills with the guidance of a senior staff leader who serves as their mentor.
The Shadow Program boasts an impressive history of 42 University presidents or senior leaders who have served as hosts from 28 different institutions, including community colleges and public and private institutions. The 51 mentees hail from 24 different Michigan institutions and have served in a variety of mid-level positions.
The 2025-26 mentors include Dr. Nerita Hughes, President, Bay De Noc Community College; Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz, President, Michigan State University; Dr. Christopher Dougherty, President, Madonna University; Dr. Steven Corey, President, University of Oliver; Dr. Jenny Hall Jones, Vice President, Student Affairs, and Dr. Tonya Forbes, Vice President, Instruction, Kellogg Community College.
The 2025-26 program mentees include Dr. LaToya Mason, Dean of Health Sciences Education at Lake Michigan College; Meagan Treadway, Director of Special Projects, NextEd Co-Lab at Grand Valley State University; Doreen Tinajero, Senior Project Manager, University of Michigan; Dr. Tynisha McGee, District Dean in Educational Affairs, Wayne County Community College; Dr. Kellyn Mackerl-Cooper, Associate Director, Trotter Multicultural Center, University of Michigan; and Dr. Catherine Meyer-Looze, Associate Professor and Unit Head, Grand Valley State University.
When asked her thoughts about mentoring through the program, Bay De Noc Community College President Dr. Nerite Hughes said, “As a President and mentor, I believe leadership is measured by how we continue to elevate others or “lift as we climb.” Each time I am able to share my experiences, it allows for me to build a stronger, more connected future for women leading across higher education.”
The Shadow Program Committee hosted a virtual orientation on September 12th to introduce the mentors and mentees and review the program purpose, structure, and expectations. All the program participants indicated they are enthusiastic about the opportunity to gain impactful mentorship for the upcoming year.
A 2023 phenomenological study conducted by Malia Roberts, Ph.D., underscored the importance of formal mentorships as an important strategy for preparing and equipping future women leaders in higher education. The study revealed the significance of creating spaces that allowed aspiring women leaders to be more intentional and introspective about their personal and professional development. It also demonstrated how the mentees experienced a broadened view of leadership and gained a greater purpose as a result of being in the Shadow Program.
About the MI-ACE Women’s Network
Established in 1978, the MI-ACE Women’s Network is an award-winning state chapter of the American Council on Education (ACE). MI-ACE works with the ACE to meet IDEALS– identifying, developing, encouraging, advancing, and supporting women in higher education. Learn more at gvsu.edu/miace or contact MI-ACE at https://miacenetwork.org.
About Bay College
Bay College is the community’s college with a mission of: Student Success, Community Success, and Culture of Success. Bay is devoted to each individual’s achievement in the classroom, on-campus, online, in the community and into the workforce by providing career certificates, associate degrees, transferable university credits, industry certifications, trainings, and professional development programs which develop skillsets, enrich individuals, and advance careers. #BayIsTheWay