Washington, D.C. – David Ward, president of the American Council on Education (ACE), has announced that Caryn Chaden, an associate dean in DePaul University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has been named an ACE Fellow for 2004-2005.

The ACE Fellows Program, established in 1965, is designed to strengthen institutions and leadership in American higher education by identifying and preparing promising faculty and senior administrators for responsible positions in college and university administration. Thirty-five fellows, nominated by the presidents or chancellors of their institutions, were selected this year in a national competition.

“I have spent my professional life learning about the academic side of universities,” Chaden said. “Now I want to learn about the financial side, particularly fundraising.” She believes there needs to be a closer relationship between professors and development officers to improve results.

Chaden has taught in DePaul’s English department since 1986. She became an assistant professor in 1988 after earning her Ph.D. in English, with a specialty in 18th century British literature, at the University of Virginia. In 1993, she was promoted to associate professor. She then served as director of DePaul’s Honors Program from 1993 to 1998. Since 2000, she has served as associate dean, where she oversees the university’s general education program.

“Caryn has the perfect administrative temperament,” said Michael L. Mezey, dean of DePaul’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. “She’s patient and persistent; she listens; she seeks areas of agreement; she knows how to say no in an affirming way; and she finds something positive to say about every idea.”

Marlene Ross, director of the Fellows Program, noted that most previous fellows have advanced into major positions in academic administration. Of the more than 1,400 participants in the first 39 years of the program, more than 250 have become chief executive officers, and more than 1,000 have become provosts, vice presidents or deans. “We’re extremely pleased with the incoming class,” Ross said. “The individuals selected have demonstrated strong leadership ability. The Fellows Program will sharpen and enhance their leadership skills and prepare them to address issues of concern to the higher education community.”

Each ACE Fellow will focus on an issue of concern to the nominating institution while spending the next academic year working with a college or university president and other senior officers at a host institution. Chaden will be included in the highest level of decision making while participating in administrative activities and learning about an issue to benefit DePaul. During the program, she will attend seminars on higher education issues organized by ACE, read extensively in the field, and engage in other activities to enhance her knowledge about the challenges and opportunities confronting higher education today and in the future.

Founded in 1918, ACE is the nation’s largest higher education association, 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.

DePaul, the largest Catholic university in the United States, has served students in Chicago and around the globe with values-based educational programs since 1898.