Camellia Moses Okpodu Named
American Council on Education Fellow
Norfolk, Va.—David Ward, president of
the American Council on Education, recently announced
that Camellia Moses Okpodu, professor and chair of the
biology department at Norfolk State University, has been
named an ACE Fellow for the 2007-08 academic year.
Okpodu, who was nominated by NSU President Carolyn W.
Meyers, is one of 39 fellows who were nominated by their
respective university presidents or chancellors in this
year’s national competition. Under her three-year
leadership at NSU, the department has developed a
mission and vision statement that is focused on student
experiential learning though research. Before joining
NSU, Okpodu was the Marshall Rauch Distinguished
Professor at Elizabeth City State University. At ECSU,
she developed an Endowed Lecture Series and used money
from her endowment to implement a summer research
program for undergraduate students.
Okpodu has a Ph.D. in plant physiology with a minor in
biochemistry from North Carolina State University. She
also worked as a postdoctoral fellow at Virginia Tech in
the area of plant physiology and biochemistry.
Established in 1965, the ACE Fellows Program 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.
The ACE Fellows Program combines seminars, 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.
Fellows also attend three week-long seminars on higher
education issues organized by ACE, read extensively in
the field, and engage in other activities to enhance
their knowledge about challenges and opportunities
confronting higher education today.
Marlene Ross, director of the ACE Fellows Program, noted
that most previous Fellows have advanced into major
positions in academic administration. Of the more than
1,500 participants in the first 42 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 incoming class,” Ross
said. “The individuals selected have demonstrated strong
leadership. 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.”
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 seeks to provide leadership and a
unifying voice on key higher education issues and
influence public policy through advocacy, research and
program initiatives.
Contacts:
