WSU leaders selected for MI-ACE mentorship program

Two Wayne State University leaders are participating in the Michigan ACE Women's Network Senior-Level Leadership Job Shadow Program, which connects women in higher education with experienced senior administrators for mentorship and professional development. Dr. Donyale Padgett, associate professor and vice provost for inclusive excellence, and Danielle Beckford, program specialist in the Office of Sexual Violence Prevention and Education, were both selected for the program's eleventh cohort.

Through the program, participants are paired with an experienced leader in higher education to establish professional goals, gain firsthand insight into executive leadership and develop a culminating project tied to their interests. Mentees also spend time on their mentors' campus, shadowing them and connecting with others on their team.

"Congratulations to Donyale and Danielle on being selected for this excellent opportunity," said Dr. Christina L. Bloebaum, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. "Wayne State is committed to helping our employees expand their skills and experiences, and the professional growth of our staff strengthens our entire university community."

For Beckford, the opportunity offers a closer look at how senior leaders make strategic decisions and advance their institutions' missions. Paired with Dr. Danyelle Gregory, vice president for institutional culture and campus experience at Western Michigan University, Beckford hopes to deepen her knowledge of strategies that support employee and student wellness.

"One of the things I value most is the access this program provides," Beckford said. "There are few opportunities to shadow senior leaders, so this is a great opportunity."

As a program specialist in Wayne State's Office of Sexual Violence Prevention and Education, Beckford facilitates workshops and develops programs that promote awareness and wellness. Her work includes leading the office's annual candlelight vigil honoring Domestic Violence Awareness Month and collaborating on initiatives centering the needs of women in higher education through her membership in Wayne Women Lead, the university's Michigan ACE Women's Network chapter. Beckford looks forward to learning how executive leaders make strategic decisions, advance an institution's mission and foster an environment where students, faculty and staff can thrive. She also hopes to deepen her work in wellness and prevention, particularly integrating strategies that better support employees and students.

Padgett is also looking forward to the learning opportunity this program provides and is particularly excited to work with someone from a school that's located in a different environment and serves a different student population. Mentored by Dr. Nerita Hughes, president of Bay De Noc Community College, Padgett will have the opportunity to spend time on their campus in Escanaba in the Upper Peninsula.

"I am really excited to work with Dr. Hughes. Her experience is very aligned with mine, and she has so much to teach and offer," said Padgett.

A longtime educator who has mentored and collaborated with students on published research, Padgett sees the program as an opportunity to strengthen her own leadership skills and expand her impact on the student experience. The program, which is open to women at any level of their career in higher education, was the perfect opportunity to keep growing.

Both Padgett and Beckford recognize the importance of mentorship in helping women navigate leadership pathways in higher education, where formal preparation for administrative roles is not always available. Both participants were encouraged to apply after attending the MI-ACE conference in June. Beckford led a workshop on non-traditional networking, and Padgett asked a question that prompted a leader to approach her and encourage her to consider the program. This kind of outreach is a testament to the support that the MI-ACE Network provides to women.

For Padgett, mentorship provides the opportunity to see what is possible. "Reflecting on the importance of representation is what makes me believe I can see myself in this space. I can see myself here because she's here," Padgett said. "They demonstrate that this is possible."

Through connections with experienced leaders and peers across institutions, the program aims to help women develop the skills, relationships and confidence to advance their careers and support the next generation of higher education leaders.