Tambra Jackson, dean of the IU School of Education Indianapolis, has been named a 2026-27 American Council on Education Fellow. Thirty-one ACE Fellows were selected for the upcoming academic year, following nominations by the senior administration of their institutions and a rigorous application process.

Tambra Jackson. Photo by Liz Kaye, Indiana University Jackson joined the school’s faculty in 2015 and has served as dean since 2021.

The ACE Fellows Program is designed to strengthen institutions and leadership in American higher education by identifying and preparing faculty and staff for senior positions in college and university administration through its distinctive, cohort-based mentorship model.

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.

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 colleagues across the country and abroad.