Luana Ross appointed to American Council on Education

By Lailani Upham

Dr. Luana Ross, SKC President stands near the Joe McDonald Health and Athletic Center. Dr. Ross was recently appointed to the American Council on Education commission board for inclusion and diversity. (Lailani Upham photo)

PABLO — American Council on Education has named Salish Kootenai College President Dr. Luana Ross, to serve as an advisor for the Board of Directors Commission on Inclusion committee for one year beginning April 1.

The commission provides guidance for ongoing development of ACE’s inclusive and diversity programs. It also serves as a forum for member presidents to explore issues and share insights and personal experiences in the areas of diversity, inclusiveness and institutional effectiveness as they advise ACE about its programs and direction, according to President, ACE’s Leadership and Lifelong Learning, Molly Corbett Broad.

Dr. Ross said it is an honor and it will give a voice for SKC at a national level through serving on the board. “SKC is inclusive, not exclusive. We welcome all ages, income, race, Indian, non-Indian, enrolled, non-enrolled – it’s everybody’s school. We want the children that come to the campus to feel it is their school, too.”

Through the inclusive group, ACE offers a wide range of programs, resources and research to foster greater inclusivity in higher education, mainly within senior leadership ranks, according to ACE.

While serving on the commission Dr. Ross will be part of a team to afford guidance and advice on the design of programs, review briefs and other publications and serve as a presenter for leadership programs. Dr. Ross’s involvement will encompass networking opportunities for members to communicate with ACE Board of Directors on a number of matters concerning tribal colleges.

The ACE’s diversity and inclusive outline covers: The ACE Women’s Network, leadership programs for women and administrators of color, research on status of minorities in higher education, and initiates to foster greater collaboration between the international and diversity areas in college and university campuses.

The commission plays a critical role in advising ACE on mission-related issues, including guiding the Council in initiating new programs and policies.

Commission members are selected through a nomination process based on a desire to represent in a full capacity membership with ACE; member presidents new to an organization, and representatives with specialized knowledge or interests, according to ACE.

“ACE is grateful to the presidents and senior leaders who have agreed to serve on these advisory commissions,” said Gretchen M. Bataille, ACE senior vice-president for Leadership and Lifelong Learning. “We know they will bring great insight into how ACE can best tackle the challenges facing American higher education today.”

Bataille nominated Dr. Ross for the commission. Dr. Ross says she and Bataille met in the mid-1990s while at Berkley.

Founded in 1913, ACE is the major coordinating body for all the nation’s higher education institutions, representing 1,600 college and university presidents, and more than 200 related associations, nationwide. ACE provides leadership on key higher education issues and influences public policy through advocacy.