Two volunteer boards have key responsibilities to oversee and guide ACM’s direction and programming.
New leadership is in place on the governing boards of the Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM), following the latest annual rotations of chairpersons for both the ACM Board of Directors and the ACM Advisory Board of Deans.
Anne Harris, the president of Grinnell College, began her term of service as chair of the ACM Board of Directors on July 1. Laurie A. Carter, Lawrence University’s president, joined the Executive Board as a member. Presidents C. Andrew McGadney of Knox College and Suzanne R. Rivera of Macalester College rotated to new roles on the board—vice chair and immediate past chair, respectively.
“There are so many inspiring initiatives happening across the ACM, from innovative work in building community on our campuses to meaningful professional development opportunities for faculty and staff,” Chair Harris said. “I’m excited to work alongside my colleagues on the ACM Board of Directors and see these and other activities continue to develop at this pivotal moment for liberal arts education.”
The ACM Board of Directors volunteers to oversee the consortium’s policies, studies, projects, and activities. The board also closely collaborates with the ACM president on strategies that support and strengthen all 14 member institutions. A term on the executive committee is four years long; one of those years is spent as board chair.
“I am eager to work with the ACM Board of Directors to deliver on our recently launched strategic framework, Together We Go Further: ACM’s Commitment to Excellence Through Collaboration,” said ACM President Lisa Jasinski. “The member-centered approach we will employ will prove invaluable as we provide cost-effective programming in vital areas such as growing future leaders in liberal arts education and demonstrating the far-reaching benefits of a college degree.”
President Jasinski also thanked the board’s departing member, President Jonathan Brand of Cornell College, for his service.
The ACM Advisory Board of Deans also welcomed a new chair and new members for the 2025-2026 academic year. John Sisko, Ripon College’s vice president and dean of faculty, will serve as chair. Mark Willhardt, the dean of the faculty and vice president for academic affairs at Monmouth College, will remain in his volunteer role as immediate past chair of the advisory board. Joining the board as vice chair and board member, respectively, are Executive Vice President and Provost Lisa Anderson-Levy of Macalester College and Vice President and Dean of the Faculty Emily Chan of Colorado College.
The ACM Advisory Board of Deans provides ACM leadership with critical insights that help guide the implementation and execution of programs and offerings across the consortium.
“ACM provides a forum for exploring national and regional trends in higher education,” offered Advisory Board Chair Sisko. Speaking to the value of the organization, Sisko added, “The board serves as a resource for advancing ideas and initiatives that strengthen student learning and bolster the student experience throughout the ACM member institutions. I value the opportunity to gain feedback and advice from my ACM peers. I leave each board meeting refreshed and ready for the next challenge.”
President Jasinski welcomed the new members to the ACM Advisory Board of Deans. She also thanked Provost Ilene Crawford of Cornell College and Michael Schneider, a former provost of Knox College, for their service during the 2024-25 academic year.
The new makeup of the governing boards will remain in place through mid-summer of 2026. Preplanned, rotating appointments for chairs and committee members of the ACM Board of Directors and the ACM Advisory Board of Deans are designed to provide smooth transitions of leadership on the important governing boards.
