Indiana State University Newsroom

Jay Gatrell, dean of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies at Indiana State University, has been selected to be a 2012-13 American Council on Education fellow.

Council President Molly Corbett Broad announced Gatrell's selection today. The ACE Fellows Program, established in 1965, is designed to strengthen institutions and leadership in American higher education by identifying and preparing promising senior faculty and administrators for responsible positions in college and university administration.

"I am honored to be selected as an ACE fellow and truly appreciate the support of President Bradley, Provost Maynard, and my colleague deans," Gatrell said. "Over the past decade, ISU has had two outstanding ACE fellows-Dr. Darlene Hantzis and Dr. Josh Powers-and their experiences and their individual post-fellowship contributions demonstrate the positive impact the program has at Indiana State."

At Indiana State since 2000, Gatrell, in addition to serving as dean of the Graduate College is a member of the geography faculty. He previously served as associate dean for budget and research in the College of Arts and Sciences. He has held appointments as social science education director, interim sociology chair, and an administrative fellow. Additionally, he serves as the editor of Applied Geography.

In 2007, he was recognized by the Association of American Geographers' Regional Development Planning Specialty Group as a distinguished scholar and received ISU's faculty award for Community-based Scholarship. He earned a Ph.D. in geography from West Virginia University, a master's in geography at The University of Toledo, and a bachelor's degree in political science from Eastern Michigan University.

Gatrell is among 57 fellows, nominated by the presidents or chancellors of their institutions, who were selected for the 2012-13 academic year following a rigorous application process.

Sharon A. McDade, director of the ACE Fellows Program, noted that most previous fellows have advanced into major positions in academic administration. Of the more than 1,700 participants in the first 47 years of the program, more than 300 have become chief executive officers and more than 1,100 have become provosts, vice presidents, or deans.

"We're extremely pleased with the strength of the incoming class," McDade said. "The Fellows Program will sharpen and enhance their leadership skills and their network, and prepare them to address issues

Each ACE fellow will focus on an issue of concern to the nominating institution while spending the next academic year working with a college or university president and other senior officers at a host institution. The program combines retreats, interactive learning opportunities, campus visits and placement at another higher education institution to condense years of on-the-job experience and skills development into a single semester or year.

As a fellow, Gatrell will be included in the highest level of decision making while participating in administrative activities and learning about an issue to benefit Indiana State.

Founded in 1918, ACE is the major coordinating body for all the nation's higher education institutions, representing more than 1,600 college and university presidents, and more than 200 related associations, nationwide. It provides leadership on key higher education issues and influences public policy through advocacy. For more information, visit www.acenet.edu.

Photo: http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/GatrellJay/i-xBfmbDK/0/L/gatrelljay-6020-L.jpg

Contact: Erin Hennessy, senior director of public affairs, American Council on Education, 202-939-9367 or Jay Gatrell, dean, College of Graduate and Professional Studies, Indiana State University, 812-237-3087 or jay.gatrell@indstate.edu