Kenya F. Ayers, Ed.D.

Seasoned, learner-centered, higher education executive leader known for high productivity, true ecosystem development and visionary insights. Skilled in strategic planning, financial oversight, and team leadership. Excel in communication, problem-solving, and adaptability to drive student completion, organizational success and economic development.

ACE FELLOWSHIP

• 09/01/15 - 05/31/16: American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow, University of Houston System, Dr. Renu Khator, Selected for highly competitive and prestigious national leadership development experience; the ACE Fellows program: the nation’s premier higher education leadership program preparing senior leaders to serve American colleges and universities., Served on President’s Cabinet and delivered reports at each meeting., Participated in capital fund development campaign including case statement creation for highly successful $1B capital campaign., Visited thirty-one (31) campuses to meet with college and university presidents, faculty, staff and students — domestically and internationally., Participated in seminars with Lumina Foundation, NCAA and ACE (topics included: Advocacy, Diversity, Friendraising/fundraising, Crisis Management/Communications, Policy Matters).
• Visited thirty-one (31) campuses to meet with college and university presidents, faculty, staff and students — domestically and internationally.
• Participated in seminars with Lumina Foundation, NCAA and ACE (topics included: Advocacy, Diversity, Friendraising/fundraising, Crisis Management/Communications, Policy Matters).
• Developed a Master Agreement Infrastructure and Process for Corporate Relations team to be implemented university wide.
• Completed a project based on Lumina Foundation Community Attainment Project
• Wrote Corporate Sponsorship Case Study for national publication in CASE CURRENTS (September 2016).
• Wrote featured article for ACE’s National Blog: Higher Education Today (February 2016).
• Wrote Corporate Sponsorship Case Study for national publication in CASE CURRENTS (September 2016).

ADDITIONAL POSTDOCTORAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

• Completed Future Presidents Institute, American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).

• Attended Inaugural Aspiring Chief Academic Affairs Officer Workshop, National Council of Instructional Administrators (NCIA).

•Certified by the Institute for Management and Leadership in Education (MLE), Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. Graduate School of Education.  Institutes for Higher Education.

• Participated in the National Leadership Forum, American Council on Education, Office of Women in Higher Education, Washington, DC.

• 05/01/22, Texas Hall of Honor for New Presidents, Phi Theta Kappa
• 05/01/22, Paragon Award for New Presidents supporting Student Success, Phi Theta Kappa
• 05/01/19, Bill Ridgeway Spirit of Enterprise Award, HEB Chamber of Commerce

• 01/01/24, Adaptive Leadership in Urban Community Colleges: Meeting New Challenges Through New Ways of Thinking
• 10/01/18, Lead where you are planted, ACE Network News
• Ayers-Palmore (2024) Adaptive Leadership in Urban Community Colleges: Meeting New Challenges Through New Ways of Thinking
• Ayers, K. (2018, October). Lead where you are planted. ACE Network News.
• Ayers, K. (2016, September). A new vision for corporate relations. CASE CURRENTS. Washington, DC.
• Ayers, K. (2015). Hanover Park’s Education and Work Center: Embarking on a Path of Hope. ACE Blog: Higher Education Today, Washington, DC.
• Ayers, K and Torres, C. (2014). Making Room for All: The Benefits ts of Utilizing Appreciative Inquiry and Cultural Values as a Framework for Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives in Academia, Barrett Values Centre: London.
• Ayers, K. et. al. (2007). Talitha Cumi: Not unless you bless me. Canton: Dudley Ministries Publications.
• Ayers, K. (2006). To whom much is given: The defi nitive guide to demystifying the doctoral experience for women. Volume 1 – Getting Ac Accepted. Ann Arbor: Esperanza Communications. Ayers, K.
• (April 2006). Institutional Representatives: The Lifeblood of the State Networks. ACE Network News.
• Ayers, K. (May 2005). The Beautiful Struggle (poem).
• Peer Reviewer - Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory and Practice. 2000 – 2008
• Ayers, K. (April 2005). Toward the Creation of Regional Representatives: A New Chapter in the Brilliant Michigan ACE Network Story. ACE Network News.
• Harris, K. and Ayers-Hilliard, K. (1999). You Don’t Operate in a Vacuum.
• The Climb to the Top: Advice for Aspiring Black and African American College and University Presidents | Journal of Research on the Col lege President (uark.edu) V4-RA-Article-3-Martin-Final-010421.pdf (cpb-us-e1.wpmucdn.com)
• National Tutoring Association Conference Proceedings. Orlando, FL.
• Ayers-Hilliard, K. (1999). Dissertation (University of Houston): Identifying Factors of Non-Traditional Female Student Attrition in an Urban Environment.
• Ayaz, S. and Ayers, K. (1996). Hitching a Ride to Success: A Roadmap for Collegiate Travelers. New York: Simon and Schuster.
• Book Reviewer - Ayers, K. (1996). College in your Future: 140 Questions and Answers about Getting In - Staying In. Henry Klein, Garrett Park Press. (Spring 1996 edition - NACADA Journal).
• Feature Articles/Book Mentions/Podcasts featuring Dr. Ayers-Palmore during TCCD tenure:
• ACE Fellowship Can Equip You to Advance in Higher Ed Leadership | Student Affairs Today, November 2023
• 226: Catalyzing Visionary Global Leaders - with Dr. Kenya Ayers-Palmore, President, Tarrant County College | Higher Education Pod cast | EdUp Experience
• Community College Enrollment Is Down 10%. Here’s How Schools Hope to Help Students Return | Diverse: Issues In Higher Education (diverseeducation.com) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/358591766_Community_college_president_shares_insights_about_moving_through_pandemic_into_future
• Leadership Development Programs Play Key Role in Training Higher Ed Leaders | Diverse: Issues In Higher Education (diverseeducation.com)
• The Climb to the Top: Advice for Aspiring Black and African American College and University Presidents | Journal of Research on the College President (uark.edu); V4-RA-Article-3-Martin-Final-010421.pdf (cpb-us-e1.wpmucdn.com)

• Creating impact across the academic enterprise and throughout its associated ecosystem(s).
• Building exceptional teams at every level of the enterprise and empowering said teams to move the institution forward in fulfillment of organizational mission and vision.
• Aligning decisions with data and institutional mission to inform strategic planning, resource allocation, performance appraisal, and reward/recognition systems.
• Leading campus-wide strategic initiatives promoting student retention, success, equity inclusion and completion in the absence of clear answers or solutions.
• Crafting solutions which require cross-boundary, organization-wide collaboration, bringing seemingly disparate perspectives together for the good of the collective.
• Facilitating community engagement and collaboration via cross-sector partnerships with K-12, post-secondary, civic, non-profit and workforce partners.
• Reducing costs while increasing quality and responsiveness.
• Anticipating future challenges in a manner that coalesces broad understanding and supports future action.
• Tapping creative resources so that alternative approaches and thinking can help solve complex issues.
• Spearheading institutional change efforts based upon informed decision making with internal and external constituents.
• Envisaging strategic direction to frame emerging institutional challenges in order to develop a case for resource allocation.
• Leading with grit, grace, and empathy.

• 2024-present - Named as a LinkedIn Higher Education Thought Leader
• 2022, Texas Hall of Honor for New Presidents, Phi Theta Kappa (student nominated) – Awarded in Dallas, TX
• 2022, Paragon Award for New Presidents supporting Student Success (particularly during pandemic, Phi Theta Kappa (student nomi nated) – Awarded in Aurora, CO
• 2019, Bill Ridgeway Spirit of Enterprise Award, HEB Chamber of Commerce (NE Campus)
• 2019, Illinois Workforce Partnership Award for Innovative Solutions (Hanover Park Education and Work Center) – team award
• 2017, 5-year service award, William Rainey Harper College
• 2016, Featured on the cover of Community College Journal – June/July 2016- and in article, “The Mentorship of Kenya Ayers” AACC Magazine Profiles ACE Fellow Kenya Ayers - Higher Education Today (higheredtoday.org)
• 2014, Reflecting Excellence Award, Reflejos, Hanover Park, Education and Work Center – team award
• 2008, Youth Empowerment Award, Youth of Tomorrow
• 2006, Dedicated Service Award, Greek Life Association - Kettering University
• 2001 (January - Vol. 56), Named one of Ebony Magazine’s “30 Leaders of the Future” (aged 30 and under)
• 1996, Outstanding Student Advocate Award - Florida Atlantic University
• 1995 & 1996, IMPAC Award for 4.0 GPA - Florida Atlantic University
• 1995, Outstanding Mentor Award- Florida Atlantic University
• 1990-1992, Graduate Assistantship, Eastern Michigan University/Academic Advising Center; Served as a member of a three-person team which earned a NACADA Outstanding Program Award for the Academic Mentor Program aimed at increasing minority student retention at Eastern Michigan University and developed procedural manual to ensure more efficient program operation

• 2025 – 2028 6 Stones, Euless, TX
• 2023-2024 - Board Member, American Council on Education
• 2023-2024 – Immediate Past Chair and Executive Board Member, ACE Council of Fellows (Alumni Association)
• 2022-present, Advisory Board Member, Community Enrichment Center (CEC)
• 2022-present, Member Board of Directors, United Ways of Texas
• 2019-present, Grapevine Chamber of Commerce
• 2019 – present, HEB Chamber of Commerce Member
• 2017-2021, Board Member, ACE Council of Fellows; Finance and Development Subcommittee Member
• 2016-2019, Northern Illinois Workforce Coalition – comprised of the Workforce Boards of Metropolitan Chicago and the regions community colleges in the counties of Cook, Lake, DuPage, McHenry, Will, Kane, DeKalb, Kendall, Kankakee, Grundy and Livingston. Purpose: to jointly leverage opportunities and resources in developing workforce initiatives that benefited the region economically.
• 2005-2007, State Coordinator, Michigan ACE Network for Women Leaders in Higher Education: an affiliate of the American Council on Education’s Office of Women in Higher Education
• 2004-2005, State Coordinator-Elect, Michigan ACE Network for Women Leaders in Higher Education
• 2002-2007, Member Board of Trustees - Power Centre Church International, Inc.
• 2002-2004, Visionary Committee Member (committee responsible for developing fundraising strategies to support capital campaign efforts) - Power Centre Church International
• 2002-2003, Board Member & Fund Development Committee Member – The Resource Center

• 2023 (September) Texas Women in Higher Education Tarrant County College Chapter Keynote Address, “A Woman’s Worth: Perspectives on Locus of Control, Self-Perception, and Career Advancement”
• 2022 (August) Invited Panel with President Emeritus Dr. Valerie Moeller and President Emeritus Dr. Michael Thomson, American Council on Education (ACE) Fellows Program Opening Weekend, “Innovative Community Colleges: A Master Class in Disruption”
• 2022 (March) Keynote Address, Texas Women in Higher Education (TWHE), “Capitalizing on our Momentum: Change, Innovation and Resilience”
• 2021 (June) Keynote Address, STEM Women of Color Conclave, “Reclaiming Joy: Let the Healing Begin” 2020 (October) Keynote Address, Northeast Association of Institutional Research (NAIR), “Academia Has Need of You: A Presidential Clarion Call for IR’s Centrality to the Academy”
• 2020 (August) Moderator, “Commitment to Community: An Exploration of the Equality of Opportunity Agenda”
• 2020 (July) Invited Panelist with Kendra Nalubega-Booker (mentee) “Inspired for Greatness” for Boys and Girls Club of Manatee County
• 2020 (January) Keynote Speaker, Northeast Tarrant Chamber Dynamic Women’s Group
• 2020 (January) Invited Speaker, Mayor’s Economic Development Panel –Northeast Tarrant Chamber of Commerce • 2019 (March) – Panel Moderator – “A New CDO and Her President Describe the Challenges and Rewards of Leading Diversity & Inclusion at a Community College – A Candid Dialogue. – NADOHE, Philadelphia, PA.
• ·2019 (May) – Invited Speaker – “Seize the Opportunity” Career Event. Big Brothers Big Sisters Metropolitan Chicago/Chicago Housing Authority. Gary Comer Youth Center, Chicago, IL.
• 2019 (April) – Keynote Address, Pathways to Prosperity Convening, Chicago, IL, Jobs for the Future.
• 2019 (April) – Convener – African American Summit Teen Summit, District 214–Arlington, IL.
• 2019 (March) – Invited Presenter – “Setting the Table for Organizational Effectiveness” – Great Lakes Programs and Pathways Community of Practice – Madison, WI.
• 2019 (March) –Invited Presenter “Journey to the Presidency” – Gregory C. James Leadership Think Tank – Palatine, IL.
• 2019 (March) – Invited Presenter – PaCE Framework Arlington Heights, IL – NECSS Elementary/Secondary Collab oration Roundtable.
• 2018 (October) – Invited Presenter – “More than a Notion: Facilitating Data Transformation through an Equity Lens at a Regional Level” – Arlington Heights, IL, Redefining Ready Conference/AASA
• 2018 (February) – Invited Presenter - “Doing the Hard Work: Using Data with an Equity Lens to Drive Educational Transformation” – Bloomington, IL, Scaling for Impact: 60 by 25 Network Conference
• 2017 (August) – Keynote Address, “Influencing the Hinges of Destiny” – Palatine, IL, Summer Scholars Closing Ceremony
• 2017 (May) – Keynote address, “Strength in Diversity” – Palatine, IL for Partners in our Community/Palatine Opportunity Center annual ROLE Luncheon
• 2017 (April) – Moderator, HOPE Giving Circle Breakfast and Panel Discussion: “Women at the Table”, Arlington Heights, IL.
• 2017 (February) – “Collective Impact Ecosystem for Regional Student Success” – panelist with President Kenneth L. Ender and Barrington 220 Superintendent Brian Harris; Moderated by Dr. Ellen Wagner, VP of Research, Hobsons, Inc.
• 2016 (October) – “Reciprocal Mentoring” Hope Giving Circle Mentoring Panelist, Palatine, IL
• 2016 (October) – “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Institutional Transformation” – Triton College, with co-presenter, Michele Smith, Harper College, CDO
• 2016 (September) – “Invitation to Elevate” – Partners for our Community Board.
• 2016 (August) – “Your Exquisite Journey” – ROLE, Partners for our Community.
• 2015 (October) – Co-Presenter (with team that included College President, Dr. Ken Ender and Elgin Community College President, Dr. David Sam) and a member of each institution’s Board of Trustees, “The Education and Work Center: A New Model for Community Impact through Shared Resources” Association of Community College Trustees Leadership Congress, San Diego, CA.
• 2015 (June) – Keynote Address, “Developing Brand Me: Reinventing Yourself for Professional Significance” Michigan ACE Network for Women Leaders in Higher Education.
• 2015 (May) – Co-Presenter (with Special Assistant to the President for Diversity and Inclusion/Assistant Provost for Curriculum, Michelé Robinson), “A Way Forward: Institutional Transformation for Employee Diversity and Inclusion” Greater Chicago Midwest HERC, Chicago, IL.
• 2014 (March) – Co-Presenter (with College President, Dr. Ken Ender and Special Assistant to the President for Diversity and Inclusion/Assistant Provost for Curriculum), Michelé Robinson), “A Way Forward: Institutional Transformation for Employee Diversity and Inclusion” League of Innova tion in the Community College Conference, Anaheim, CA.
• 2013 (December) – Presenter, Northeast Center Revitalization - Wei Chi, Board of Trustees: Harper College, Palatine, IL
• 2013 (January) – Co-Presenter: Diversity and Inclusion (2 Presentations: Harper College All Campus Meeting and Harper College Board of Trus tees). Palatine, IL.
• 2012 (October) – Keynote Speaker: “Be the Voice” – Harper College Student Leadership Challenge, Palatine, IL.
• 2011 (March) – Facilitator: Black Marriage Day, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit, MI.
• 2010 (June) – Keynote Speaker – NSF/Women of Color Conclave, “Crucible Transformations” Washington, DC.
• 2010 (June) – Keynote Speaker – NSF/ADVANCE, “The Ultimate Final Exam” University of Maryland, Eastern Shore. Eastern Shore, MD.
• 2010 (April) – General Session Speaker – ATHENA International Leadership Summit: “Launching into the D.E.E.P.” Chicago, IL
• 2009 (May) – Keynote Speaker – Michigan Association of Student Financial Services Administrators – provided two keynote addresses – Dearborn, MI.
• 2008 (September) – Keynote Speaker – “Take the Limits Off ” – MEPO Mixer – The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
• 2008 (June) – Keynote Speaker – “Why Not Me?” Youth of Tomorrow, Flint, MI.
• 2008 (February) - Keynote Speaker – “Unprecedented Flight Conditions”, Women of Color Task Force Annual Career Conference, The University of Michigan, Center for the Education of Women, Ann Arbor, MI.