National Fellowship Positions Davidson Leader to Shape the Future of Higher Education

Kyra A. Kietrys, professor and chair of Hispanic Studies, has been named an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Kietrys joins an elite cohort of just 31 faculty and staff members selected nationwide following a senior administrative nomination process and rigorous application. The intensive, cohort-based mentorship program is designed to prepare top-tier higher education faculty for senior leadership roles in college and university administration.

The fellowship arrives at a critical juncture for colleges and universities nationwide.

“At a time of significant change across higher education, strong leadership has never been more important,” said ACE President Ted Mitchell. “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.”

For Kietrys, whose academic career has been defined by amplifying marginalized voices and building innovative community programs, the fellowship is an opportunity to bring Davidson’s values to a national stage while bringing vital institutional knowledge back to campus.

As a scholar of contemporary Spanish literature and culture, Kietrys focuses on historical memory and literary translation, recovering and amplifying marginalized voices such as politically oppressed women, racialized immigrants, and trans youth in Spanish media, and interpreting them for new audiences. This same commitment drives both her leadership and program building. 

At Davidson, she has a proven track record of institutional innovation. She founded and directed multiple programs connecting Davidson students to Spain, including study abroad and internship initiatives, as well as SiDES (Spanish in Davidson Elementary Schools)—a program that earned the prestigious 2025 AATSP-Klett Award for Leadership and Program Innovation.

Within campus governance, Kietrys has already stepped forward as a vital leader, serving three terms as department chair, contributing heavily to major faculty matters and educational policy committees, and being elected Vice Chair of the Faculty pro tem. Her influence also extends internationally, where she serves as President of the Association of Hispanic Humanities.

The ACE Fellowship condenses years of on-the-job administrative experience into a single year by combining intensive learning retreats with a semester- or year-long placement at another higher education institution.

During her upcoming placement, Kietrys will work directly alongside the president and senior officers of a host institution, sitting in on high-level decision-making meetings to observe how different campuses navigate contemporary systemic challenges.

At the conclusion of the academic year, Kietrys will return to the Davidson community equipped with a national network of colleagues and new strategies to champion student success and faculty thriving.

Established in 1965, the ACE Fellows Program has prepared over 2,500 higher education leaders, with nearly 150 currently serving as college presidents and provosts.