Two volunteer boards help oversee and guide ACM’s direction, programming, and support for member colleges.
As the Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM) begins a new academic year, its two governing boards welcome new chairs through the consortium’s annual leadership rotation. On July 1, C. Andrew McGadney, president of Knox College, began his term as chair of the Board of Directors, while Lisa Anderson-Levy, executive vice president and provost of Macalester College, began her term as chair of the Advisory Board.
The ACM Board of Directors oversees the consortium’s policies, projects, and activities and works closely with the ACM president to guide the strategic vision to support all 14 member institutions. Members of the board’s Executive Committee serve four-year terms, with one year designated as chair. McGadney succeeds Anne F. Harris, president of Grinnell College, who will serve as immediate past chair. Laurie A. Carter, president of Lawrence University, will serve as vice chair, and Alison R. Byerly, president of Carleton College, will serve as secretary and treasurer.
“The Associated Colleges of the Midwest has been and continues to be a model of what higher education can achieve through purposeful collaboration, aspirational innovation, and shared vision,” McGadney said. “I am honored to serve as board chair and energized to partner with President Lisa Jasinski and my fellow board members to advance ACM’s mission. Together, we will enhance opportunities for our institutions and amplify our collective impact for the greater good.”
As ACM begins the second year of its strategic framework, the board will help advance this year’s priorities, including initiatives to strengthen small college leadership for the AI age, bridge silos on campuses, and enhance employee belonging.
The ACM Advisory Board also welcomed new leadership for the 2026-2027 academic year. Anderson-Levy will serve as chair, with Peter A. Blitstein, provost and dean of the faculty at Lawrence University, as vice chair. Tara Natarajan, provost and vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty at Lake Forest College, and Donna Oliver, provost and dean of the college at Beloit College, will serve as members of the Executive Committee.
The Advisory Board provides ACM leadership with insights from academic leaders across the consortium, helping guide the implementation and execution of programs and offerings for member colleges.
“As the incoming chair of the ACM Advisory Board, I’m excited to work with my colleagues to create spaces for both critical and strategic conversations about how our institutions can best support each other during current and future conundrums in higher ed,” Anderson-Levy said. “Though our institutions are differently impacted by challenges and opportunities such as the demographic cliff and more recent dilemmas like how to approach/work and teach with AI, we are united in our efforts to welcome students to our campuses, meet them where they are, and engage them with a world-class liberal arts education.”
Anderson-Levy also emphasized the value of sharing information and best practices across institutions and supporting one another in educating future generations of leaders.
“ACM’s governing boards bring together experienced leaders who understand both the opportunities and the complexities facing our member colleges,” said ACM President Lisa Jasinski. “I’m grateful for the expertise and commitment that C. Andrew McGadney, Lisa Anderson-Levy, and their fellow board members bring to this work. Their leadership is essential as we create and expand opportunities for our colleges to learn from one another, build capacity, and address shared challenges together.”
President Jasinski thanked Harris for her service as Board of Directors chair and John Sisko, former vice president and dean of the faculty at Ripon College, for his service as Advisory Board chair during the 2025-2026 academic year.
The annual, preplanned rotation of chairs and Executive Committee members is designed to provide continuity and smooth transitions in leadership while bringing fresh perspectives to ACM’s governing boards. The new leadership will serve through June 30, 2027.
Associated Colleges of the Midwest