Margaret Schedel, a professor at Stony Brook University’s Department of Music, is one of the 25 emerging academic leaders selected for the 2025-26 American Council on Education (ACE) Fellows Program.
Schedel expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunity, stating, "I am deeply honored to have been selected for the ACE Fellows Program, which has a long and distinguished history of preparing higher education leaders. This fellowship offers an invaluable opportunity to observe and learn from a university president, providing insights into executive leadership and decision-making processes. I am particularly excited to engage with my cohort of fellows, as the program emphasizes collaborative learning and mentorship among emerging leaders in higher education."
The 2025-26 class of ACE Fellows is noted for embodying the diversity of American higher education in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, institution types, and disciplinary backgrounds. The program, which began in 1965, has prepared over 2,500 participants for senior academic and administrative roles through a cohort-based mentorship model.
ACE President Ted Mitchell commented, "The ACE Fellows Program is a cornerstone of the higher education leadership pipeline, supporting emerging leaders as they develop vital skills and knowledge. Fellows gain hands-on experience and learn from seasoned mentors, returning to their institutions ready to lead with confidence and creativity in an ever-changing higher education landscape."
During their fellowship, participants engage in leadership training, policy analysis, and strategic planning skill development. Fellows benefit from activities such as retreats, project work, and shadowing university presidents, all designed to prepare them for leadership roles within their institutions.
Stony Brook University’s Executive Vice President and Provost, Carl W. Lejuez, congratulated Schedel on her selection, stating, "Meg is an exceptional musician, composer and educator, and an asset to Stony Brook. Through her contributions to university programs, faculty committees and academic departments, she helps to make Stony Brook a leader in innovation and a top-choice destination for students from New York and beyond. I am confident she will be a valuable member of the ACE program and that her participation will further distinguish her as a thoughtful, creative leader."
David Wrobel, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, added, "I’m so pleased for Meg to have been selected as a 2025-26 ACE fellow. This is a highly prestigious program and an amazing opportunity for her to continue to strengthen her expansive skillset as a leader. Our College will only benefit from the training and new knowledge she will receive. On behalf of CAS, my sincere congratulations."
The ACE Fellows Program is recognized as the longest-running leadership development initiative for higher education administrators in the United States. More than 80 percent of its alumni have gone on to high-ranking positions, including chief executive officers and deans in colleges and universities.