Presidential Sponsor

Greetings ACE Women’s Network of Southern California. 

We are in extraordinary times for higher education. The higher ed landscape is changing more than ever as a result of technology-empowered learning, the emergence of new skills and competencies in the workplace, demographic shifts in the number of college-aged students, and society’s perceptions of the value of a college degree. This comes on the heels of the national reckoning over systemic racism and the coronavirus pandemic, which made clear the impact of inequality and injustice on our nation and around the world.  

This moment not only underscores the importance of our work as educators and scholars, but also the significance of the ACE Women’s Network and our shared goals and experiences. More than ever, thank you for building and strengthening the bonds that support women across our institutions. 

I would like to thank my colleague Dr. Olukemi Sawyerr, associate vice president of the Office of Academic Innovation at Cal Poly Pomona, who I appointed State Chair of the ACE Women’s Network Southern California in June 2021. I would also like to acknowledge Dr. Shanthi Srinivas, presidential fellow for leadership excellence and institutional development at Cal Poly Pomona, who served as State Chair from June 2019 to May 2021 and is continuing to serve as the immediate past State Chair.  

Fortunately, our network is more active than ever. We formalized the network’s structure with bylaws and a Board of Directors in 2022. We held our annual conference in October 2022 as well a webinar with our sister network, ACE Women’s Network Northern California, in February 2023. 

We welcome your talent and passion, and there are so many ways to get involved. I welcome you to sign up for our mailing list, read the latest newsletter and attend our upcoming events.  

Thank you for your perseverance, camaraderie and collaboration.  

Warm regards, 

Soraya M. Coley, Ph.D.
President