Albany, N.Y. (March 29, 2012)— Dr. George Timmons, dean of Online Education and Learning Services at Excelsior College in Albany, N.Y., has been named an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow for academic year 2012-13. Following a rigorous application process, he is one of 57 higher education leaders selected for this prestigious leadership development program, according to ACE President Molly Corbett Broad.

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. This year's class includes individuals from the United States and other nations.

George Timmons was named dean of Online Education and Learning Services at Excelsior in 2004. He leads development and oversight of the college's online courses, student and faculty support services, comprehensive library services, and other institution-wide academic resources. He earned a doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Bowling Green State University and a Master of Science in Education from Old Dominion University; he earned his undergraduate degree in business and finance from Norfolk State University.

"I am very excited about the opportunity to participate in the ACE Fellows Program and to prepare for future leadership in higher education," said Timmons. "It will be exciting to connect with fellow academics from around the world and from a variety of traditional and nontraditional institutions."

Sharon A. McDade, EdD, 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 of concern to the higher education community."

"Excelsior is most fortunate to have someone of George's caliber and expertise on our leadership team," said Dr. John F. Ebersole, president of Excelsior College. "His selection by ACE serves to reaffirm our confidence in George's leadership ability and the future contributions he will make in helping lead our college and higher education in the years to come."

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 ACE Fellows 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. The Fellows are included in the highest level of decision making while participating in administrative activities and learning about an issue to benefit both the home and host institutions.

Fellows attend three week-long retreats on higher education issues organized by ACE, read extensively in the field, and engage in other activities to enhance their knowledge about the challenges and opportunities confronting higher education today.

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, please visit the ACE Web site or follow ACE on Twitter.