ACE Fellow Learns the Art of Leadership by Studying RIC Administration

Wheaton College Associate Provost and Professor of Anthropology Gabriela Torres has been shadowing RIC President Jack Warner and his cabinet since August 2023 to gain insights into the nature of his presidency, policies and interactions with his leadership team.

Torres is a member of the ACE Fellowship Program sponsored by the American Council on Education. This program is a customized learning experience that enables participants to immerse themselves in the study and practice of leadership. 

After experiencing the culture, policies, and decision-making processes of another institution, participants bring those learnings back to their home campus. More than 80 percent of ACE Fellows have gone on to serve as chief executive officers, chief academic officers, other cabinet-level positions and deans.

Torres’ decision to pursue her fellowship at Rhode Island College was not only influenced by RIC’s status as a Hispanic Serving Institution but also because of her interest in the college’s commitment to serving students from diverse backgrounds, particularly students of color who may have come from limited economic means. 

Additionally, she was drawn by Warner’s extensive leadership experience and that of his administration. 

“President Warner has had extensive experience as a leader in Rhode Island and other states,” she says. “Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Carolynn Masters has had long-term experience as a provost before coming to Rhode Island College. And the same for Vice President for Student Success Cindy Kozil, who has a broad portfolio and a long career as a student success leader in Massachusetts.”

As the end of her fellowship approaches in June, Torres reflects on her transformative journey at RIC. 

“It’s been interesting to observe how things are done at a public institution like Rhode Island College compared to a private liberal arts college like Wheaton,” she says, “particularly the financial constraints of a public institution. Rhode Island College has to be responsive to the needs of the state, which is very different from how private institutions are run.”

“I’ve learned that people who work at RIC deeply care about the students – and that’s across the board. I had the opportunity to speak to faculty, staff and the president’s leadership team, and it’s been inspirational for me, as a leader, to see how they care about ensuring the best experience for RIC students,” she says.  

“Like any college, there are problems that need to be solved. For example, the four-year graduation rate is low,” she says, “but the administration is actively working to improve that. The Hope Scholarship is a promising new initiative designed to increase retention and graduation rates.” 

As an ACE fellow, Torres says her time at RIC has left her with new ideas, which she is ready to share with the Wheaton College community.