May 5, 2026 — Marist University Assistant Provost for Student Success and Professor of Education Dr. Carol Rinke has been selected to the American Council on Education (ACE) Fellows Program, the premier leadership development program for higher education. Dr. Rinke was named one of 31 emerging college and university leaders for the 2026-2027 cohort.

Highly selective on a national level, the ACE Fellows Program prepares senior leaders for service to higher education through mentorship and interactive learning opportunities. With Dr. Rinke’s selection, Marist joins a distinguished cohort of institutions participating this year, including Dartmouth College, the University of California, Berkeley, and Virginia Tech, among others.

An innovative higher education leader, Dr. Rinke is recognized for advancing student success through cross‑functional partnerships and evidence‑based initiatives. As Assistant Provost, she currently oversees Marist’s five student academic success centers, assuring that every Marist student can succeed in the classroom, in the community, and in the workplace after graduation. She also co-led Marist’s first‑year retention strategy, played a key role in revising and expanding New Student Orientation, and worked with Career Services and other major campus partners to expand Marist’s career readiness strategy.

Dr. Carol Rinke (right) listens to Juliette Savarino '26 explain her research at CURSCA 2026. Photo by Carlo de Jesus/Marist University.

Dr. Rinke emphasized the significance of the opportunity.

“I am grateful to President Weinman and Provost Kodat for their support and honored to be selected for this distinguished group,” she said. “There is no question that we are at a pivotal moment in higher education and I remain committed to fostering the types of learning environments in which all members of our campus community – students, faculty, and staff alike – can build mutual trust, inquire deeply, and collectively create a better future. I am excited for what I will learn from this fellowship experience to benefit the Marist community.”

Advancing Student Success
With her background in teacher education, Dr. Rinke also brings deep expertise in teaching practice, learning, and assessment, with student learning and success sitting at the center of her work. Before joining the Office of the Provost, she co‑chaired Marist’s Middle States Commission on Higher Education reaccreditation, which concluded with all standards met and without recommendations.

Dr. Rinke also co‑founded the Marist Center for Social Justice Research and leads a research program on teacher career development, particularly in hard‑to‑staff classrooms and among educators of color. Rinke has authored and edited three books, published more than 30 articles in high‑impact journals, and served as co‑principal investigator for a Spencer Foundation research grant.

About the ACE Fellows Program
The ACE Fellows Program strengthens leadership in American higher education by preparing faculty and staff for senior administrative roles through a highly selective, cohort‑based mentorship model. Over 2,500 higher education leaders have participated in the program, including nearly 150 current presidents and provosts. The fellowship combines retreats, interactive learning, campus visits, and a yearlong placement at a host institution, where Fellows work closely with presidents and senior leaders to gain hands‑on experience.

“At a time of significant change across higher education, strong leadership has never been more important,” said ACE President Ted Mitchell. “As a result of the program, Fellows will be well positioned to navigate this evolving landscape, bringing fresh perspectives, practical experience, and a commitment to shaping the future of higher education.”

At the conclusion of the fellowship year, Fellows return to their home institution with new knowledge and skills that contribute to capacity-building efforts.