HFC’s Shai James-Boyd selected for MI-ACE competitive program
HFC Assistant Director of Advancement Shai James-Boyd has been selected to participate in the highly competitive Michigan American Council on Education Women’s Network (MI-ACE) Senior Level Job Shadow Program.
MI-ACE is the professional network for Michigan women in higher education. MI-ACE works in concert with the ACE Office of Inclusive Excellence Group nationally to identify, develop, encourage, advance, link, and support women in higher education. The purpose of this program is to develop talented individuals for senior positions through mentoring, gaining diverse institutional perspectives, and developing knowledge and skills.
The 2020-21 cohort comprises five women leaders who will learn from seasoned area college and university presidents. Participants will gain diverse institutional perspectives and develop knowledge and skills. The program utilizes best practices from a variety of existing fellowship and job shadow opportunities to create a unique experience for women in higher education in Michigan. The personalized nature of the program allows learning to take place through observations and applied learning.
Shadowing the president of Mott Community College
James-Boyd will spend the next year shadowing Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, the current president of Mott Community College. Walker-Griffea is the first female president and the first African-American president in the history of Mott, which was founded in 1923. She is committed to academic excellence, student access and success, dynamic industry partnerships, and significantly impacting local economies.
“I am humbled and excited to participate in MI-ACE Senior Level Job Shadow Program,” said James-Boyd. “I have long admired Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, and I have no doubt this experience will change the trajectory of my career.”
MI-ACE connection
Along with Dr. Susan Shunkwiler, Dean of the HFC School of Health and Human Services (HHS), James-Boyd is an HFC MI-ACE representative. She has been at HFC since 2014. She earned her bachelor’s degree in public relations from Wayne State University and her master’s degree in non-profit leadership from the University of Michigan-Dearborn (UM-Dearborn). Currently, she’s working on her doctorate in community college leadership program at Ferris State University.
“Education is a critical element in moving Michigan forward, and Shai has demonstrated her commitment to lead the charge for future executive leadership,” said A. Reginald Best, HFC Vice President of Advancement and Government Relations. “Shai has served in numerous leadership capacities throughout her career at the College. Her participation in the MI-ACE Senior Level Job Shadow Program will allow her to be among the next group of women leaders for our region.”