Role of the Institutional Representative

As an affiliate of the American Council of Education (ACE) Women’s Network, the Michigan (MI) ACE Women’s Network is committed to identifying, developing, encouraging, advancing, linking, and supporting women in higher education. Each participating public, private, 2-year, and 4-year college or university in the state appoints one or two Institutional Representative(s) (IRs) who are responsible for these basic duties:

1. 1. Serving as the institution’s official representative to the MI-ACE Women’s Network. At minimum, attend IR training and the Annual State Conference and submit an Annual Report of campus-based activities.
   2. Participating in local, regional, statewide, and national meetings, as appropriate, as your institution’s representative.
   3. Assisting the Michigan ACE Women’s Network Executive Board in developing strategic plans and implementing programs/activities.
   4. Establishing, where appropriate, linkages with other campus programs focusing on women.
   5. Enlisting the support of other women on your campus by forming an institutional steering committee, assessing needs, and conducting on-campus professional development programming.
   6. Serving as the communication conduit to women on campus regarding appropriate information in the IR Newsletter and opportunities for professional development, professional advancement, grant/research funding, opportunities to present papers and make refereed presentations based on engagement with the MI-ACE Women’s Network
   7. Encouraging participation by women on your campus in the Annual Statewide Conference, Young Women Strong Leaders Conferences, Women of Color Collaborative and other programs sponsored by the Michigan ACE Women’s Network.
   8. Educating women on your campus about the Network’s public policy agenda.

Overall, campus responsibilities of the Institutional Representative include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. 1. Identify women in and who are interested in advancing to administrative or leadership positions on the campus who should participate in the activities of the Michigan ACE Women’s Network. Share articles and announcements from the IR Newsletter as appropriate.
   2. Keep your institution’s president informed of the Michigan ACE Women’s Network strategic goals and activities and seek the support and participation of other campus leaders as well. You are important in the feedback loop to the president.
   3. Disseminate information to women on campus regarding opportunities such as meetings and educational seminars; encourage attendance and assist with arrangements to facilitate their involvement.
   4. Urge qualified women on campus to apply for various leadership positions by providing information about vacancies on your campus and elsewhere, particularly those provided by the State Coordinator.
   5. Serve as a member to one of the Michigan ACE Women’s Network Executive Board Committees. Review and share the Network’s Levels of Engagement found on website: www.miacenetwork.org.
   6. Serve as a mentor to aspiring women leaders.