Release

ACE Fellow Janet Wagner Studies UAlbany Planning Model

Contact: Catherine Herman (518) 437-4980

	Janet M.Wagner

ALBANY, N.Y. (July 12, 2005) -- Janet "Jenny" M. Wagner, associate dean and associate professor of management science at the UMASS Boston College of Management, will spend an academic year at the University at Albany as an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow, focusing on learning the University's compact budgeting system. The compact planning process incorporates clearly defined objectives and strategies, assigned responsibilities and implementation, and tools to measure success.

ACE Fellows are typically current college administrators who spend an extended period of time on another campus, working directly with presidents and other senior administrators to observe how they address strategic planning, resource allocation, and policy.

"We're very happy to have Jenny Wagner with us for the year," said University at Albany President Kermit L. Hall. "The selection of the University at Albany as a site for an ACE fellow is a compliment to the institution, both by ACE and the fellow. It underscores the growing prestige of the University in national higher education circles. This cooperation among universities exemplifies the spirit of education -- shared knowledge and a common goal to improve our academic systems."

"When I was looking for where to spend my ACE fellowship year, I had a strong preference for an institution that was 'on the move,'" Wagner said. "UAlbany fits that bill exactly. President Hall is off to a strong start and has many ideas and plans. I look forward to observing, supporting, and participating in these initiatives during this exciting time in UAlbany's history."

Wagner went to UMASS Boston in 1988 as a professor in the Management Science and Information System Department after completing her doctorate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She has also taught distance learning classes in the on-line format, and has been active in undergraduate program general education issues. She has served as associate dean of the College since fall 2000 and is the College of Management honors director.

As an ACE Fellow, Wagner will work with a select group of mentors, including President Hall; Susan Herbst, provost and vice president for academic affairs; and Lynn Videka, interim vice president for research. She will be on the campus through the fall 2005 and spring 2006 semesters.

Founded in 1918, ACE is the major coordinating body for all the nation's higher education institutions, representing more than 1,600 college and university presidents, and more than 200 related associations, nationwide. It seeks to provide leadership and a unifying voice on key higher education issues and influence public policy through advocacy, research, and program initiatives.