Regional Representatives (RR) are key to the development and implementation of the strategic plans of the Michigan ACE Network. Each institution affiliated with the Michigan-ACE is linked to one of the regions in the state of Michigan. Each region is represented by a Regional Representative, appointed by the Executive Board, whose role is to maintain a connection with Institutional Representatives (IRs), facilitate communication and collaboration between the IRs, and channel the concerns and interests of the institutions to the programs and research of MI-ACE. Regional representatives meet the Network’s goals by identifying, developing, encouraging, advancing, linking and supporting women throughout Michigan.

IDENTIFYING women leaders in Michigan higher education through extensive networks

• Building a regional network whereby women are identified as potential leaders and mentored in achieving their aspirations
• Assisting IRs in developing women on their respective campuses with potential for serving effectively as IRs in the future
• Working to identify IRs interested in state level leadership with Michigan ACE

DEVELOPING women's leadership abilities

• Providing information to the State Coordinator Elect regarding the needs of IRs within the respective region
• Working with the IRs within the region to develop appropriate regional programming/conferences
• Working with IRs within the region to determine a system for identifying the professional development needs of women regionally
• Supporting IRs by helping them develop strategies for garnering Presidential support for women on their campuses
• Assisting IRs in developing programming ideas on their respective campuses

ENCOURAGING women to excel in leadership in higher education

• Providing information about professional development opportunities (i.e. ACE fellowship, Harvard Institutes, OWHE National Regional Forum, etc.)
• Promoting the Michigan ACE Network’s job shadowing program.
• Promoting national/regional forum activities.

ADVANCING women into senior-level leadership positions

• Developing systems with IRs within the respective region to organize/provide regional career advancement programs/processes
• Working to advance the Network’s public policy agenda
• Developing a regional job announcement posting process on the Michigan ACE Website
• Encouraging nominations for regional/national forums from the region

LINKING women leaders to one another

• Working with the State Coordinator Elect to identify women to be honored at the annual women leaders reception
• Creating regional programs/systems to provide interaction between campuses within the region
• Identifying potential nominees for the Distinguished Leadership Awards from within the region
• Establishing a clearinghouse of information about programs at all member institutions and encouraging attendance
• Establishing an email account for IRs in the region and communicating with them at least weekly

SUPPORTING mid- and senior-level women administrators and presidents throughout their careers

• Meeting with IRs face-to-face at least quarterly to discuss issues
• Supporting Michigan ACE administration by collecting information on programs/activities on individual campuses within the region (to be used on the Michigan ACE website) and providing quarterly and annual updates to the State Coordinator Elect on the status of the network on each assigned campus (to be used on the Michigan ACE website)
• Working with the State Coordinator Elect to develop a recognition/reward system for Institutional Representatives
• Reminding IRs of the importance of filing a comprehensive annual report

• Attending annual Fall and Spring Michigan ACE meetings
• Responding to requests for information from the Michigan ACE State Coordinator Elect