Wondwossen Gebreyes, DVM, PhD Diplomate ACVPM, executive director of the Global One Health initiative at The Ohio State University, was named an ACE Fellow for the 2021-21 academic year by the American Council on Education (ACE). Following nomination by the senior administration of their institutions and a rigorous application process, 38 Fellows were selected this year.
Since its inception in 1965, the ACE Fellows Program has strengthened institutions in American higher education by identifying and preparing over 2,000 faculty, staff and administrators for senior positions in college and university leadership through its distinctive and intensive, cohort-based mentorship model. Of the Fellows who have participated to date, more than 80 percent have gone on to serve as chief executive officers, chief academic officers, other cabinet-level positions and deans following their fellowship.
“The ACE Fellows Program is unique in its ability to transform the lives and enrich the careers of its participants,” said ACE President Ted Mitchell. “After an intensive experience working with accomplished higher education leaders, the Fellows will return to their home campuses prepared to address the challenges of tomorrow.”
Gebreyes founded and leads the Global One Health initiative, is a professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, where he teaches molecular epidemiology of infectious diseases; and conducts research on globally important zoonotic and foodborne diseases with an emphasis on antimicrobial resistance.
Through his leadership, Ohio State has formed partnerships among hundreds of students, faculty and staff and international organizations, working in diverse fields to improve health, build capacity and provide learning opportunities for students across the globe.
Gebreyes’ academic credentials and potential for administrative leadership along with the recommendations of professional colleagues and the judgment of interviewing teams of senior administrators, made him deserving of the award.
“During his tenure at Ohio State, Wondwossen Gebreyes has shown great promise for administrative advancement and significant future leadership contributions to higher education,” said Vice Provost for Global Strategies and International Affairs Gil Latz.
“I am honored and delighted to be nominated and selected as one of the emerging future university leaders by the American Council Education,” said Gebreyes. “The fellowship allows candidates to learn as well as contribute innovative and transformative models. As such, I view this opportunity for a chance to significantly contribute to the future of our academic systems in various key areas of interest, including global education and high impact and transformative integrated research and training.”
The program combines retreats, interactive learning opportunities, visits to campuses and other higher education-related organizations, and placement at another higher education institution to condense years of on-the-job experience and skills development into a single year.
During the placement, Fellows observe and work with the president and other senior officers at their host institution, attend decision-making meetings and focus on issues of interest. Fellows also conduct projects of pressing concern for their home institution and seek to implement their findings upon completion of the fellowship placement.
At the conclusion of the fellowship year, Fellows return to their home institution with new knowledge and skills that contribute to capacity-building efforts, along with a network of peers across the country and abroad.