ACE Faculty About

ACE Faculty

World-class education taught by world-class faculty.

Our Faculty Values

Our faculty are dedicated professionals in their fields. They believe in the power of education to transform lives, and they bring that passion to work at American College of Education (ACE) every day.

The faculty leadership at ACE is guided by a mission to deliver high-quality, affordable and accessible online programs grounded in evidence-based content and relevant application. This mission prepares graduates to serve, lead and achieve personal and professional goals in diverse, evolving communities.


Our Faculty Leadership

The leadership at ACE is composed of experienced educators and professionals committed to advancing accessible, affordable and high-quality online education. Their student-focused strategies help prepare graduates for impactful careers in education, business, healthcare and nursing.


Chief Academic Officer and Provost

Jodi Feikema, Ph.D.

Assistant Provosts

Scott Bailey, Ed.D.

Luster Fowler, Ph.D.

Eric Klein, Ph.D.

Crystal Neumann, DBA

Department Chairs

Byron Barton, Ph.D.

Jason Cohen, Ed.D.

Amber Daub, Ed.D.

Lisa Hawthorne, Ph.D.

Elisha Lewis, Ph.D.

Cathy McKay, Ed.D.

Sara Reichard, Ed.D., Ed.S.

Faculty Roles at ACE

Core Faculty

Full-time faculty responsible for teaching courses and maintaining academic quality. They deliver engaging online instruction, foster student interactions and provide detailed feedback on assessments, ensuring a supportive learning environment.

Dissertation Faculty

Full-time faculty dedicated to supporting doctoral students by serving on and chairing dissertation committees. They provide critical feedback, ensure academic rigor and assist students in navigating the dissertation process from proposal to final defense.

Instructional Faculty

Full-time faculty who teach courses and contribute to department operations through activities such as course development and revision, mentoring other faculty, serving on committees and conducting faculty observation.

Adjunct Faculty

Part-time faculty employed on a term-by-term basis to teach ACE courses. They bring their subject matter expertise to ACE’s online courses, where they engage with students, provide timely feedback and assess student work to support learning outcomes.

Coordinator

Full-time faculty who teach courses and coordinate department functions such as dissertation oversight, internship facilitation, student teaching supervision and other department-specific responsibilities.

Administrative Faculty

Full-time faculty who serve in academic leadership roles and are primarily focused on administrative responsibilities. They supervise faculty, resolve student issues, lead curriculum review and development processes and ensure programs align with institutional goals and accreditation standards.

Hear What Our Students Think of Our Instructors

Instructor: Kyle Doty

Course in M.Ed. in Integrated Curriculum 

“One of the key factors that positively impacted my learning in this course was my professor’s kindness and thoughtful feedback on assignments. Their approachable nature made it easy to ask questions and seek clarification, which fostered a supportive learning environment. The detailed feedback I received on each assignment was both constructive and encouraging, guiding me on how to improve and helping me see my progress more clearly. This personalized attention made the course more interesting and engaging, as I felt that my efforts were truly being recognized, and it motivated me to put in my best work.”

Instructor: Tanyetta White

Course in M.Ed. in Adult Education & Training

“This instructor’s teaching approach significantly and positively impacted my learning experience. She provided clear instructions and graded assignments promptly, which helped me stay organized and make consistent progress. Her thoughtful and encouraging feedback on the discussion board motivated deeper reflection and active participation. She fostered an engaging and inclusive classroom environment where her lessons were both captivating and well-structured, ensuring the material felt manageable without feeling overwhelming.”

Instructor: Dena AuCoin

Course in Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction

“I would like to take a moment to reflect on the constructive feedback I received from my professor. The insights provided were invaluable and have greatly contributed to my academic development. My professor exhibited a profound understanding of the subject matter, and her observations were both thoughtful and encouraging. 
 
The detailed comments highlighted areas where I excelled, as well as aspects that require further refinement. This balanced approach not only boosted my confidence but also offered a clear roadmap for improvement. My professor’s commitment to fostering a supportive learning environment was evident throughout our interactions, and her dedication to student success is commendable.

Instructor: Joe Clark

Course in M.Ed. in Educational Leadership

“I have never had an educator motivate me as much as Professor Clark did in this course. His weekly videos were engaging and helpful. I wanted to watch each week and anticipated learning something new and receiving verbal motivation on the course assignment. Additionally, Professor Clark clearly took time to read and give feedback on each student’s assignment. Every comment was personal and so uplifting. Some weeks I felt like the work wasn’t my best and I was encouraged by the thoughtful and kind comments given. In a high-stress profession, doubting yourself and your ability to handle the mental load can be easy. Professor Clark truly made me re-think my previous hesitation with this career path just from his encouraging words on assignments. I am thankful to have had a professor who was so uplifting and empowering in this program.”

Instructor: Imani Akin

Course in Ed.D. Shared Research

“The course was incredibly engaging, with weekly topics and assignments that were both thought-provoking and interactive. The instructor’s feedback was consistently constructive and highly applicable, making it easy to see areas for improvement and growth. The supplemental materials provided were extremely helpful, enriching the learning experience and adding valuable context. The thoughtful and well-crafted comments on assignments and discussions added depth to the topics, while the tasteful integration of feedback with grades made evaluations both clear and encouraging. Overall, this course was a positive and enriching experience!”

Interested in Joining our Faculty?

87%

full-time faculty believe their job makes them feel part of something meaningful

Current Job Openings


Why would you recommend working at ACE?

88%

of all faculty believe that ACE operates with strong values

Hear From Current ACE Academic Staff:

An employee in Teaching and Learning

Great staff, supportive department heads and opportunity for advancement.

An employee in Teaching and Learning

The department leadership makes adjunct faculty feel included. The courses are well-written and up to date. The expectations for work commitments and deadlines are clear.

An employee in Professional Educational Studies

Because of its curriculum and caliber of the staff.


86%

of full-time faculty believe that we do things efficiently and well at ACE

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