October 08, 2009

Dr. Lynnette Zelezny, professor and chair of the Department of Psychology at California State University, Fresno, has been selected one of 34 American Council of Education (ACE) fellows for the 2008-09 academic year.

Zelezny, the first ACE fellow from Fresno State, will spend the year working directly with an assigned university president (to be determined in June) to observe and participate in meetings and events and take on special projects and assignments.

She is an applied social psychologist who has published research related to the environment, health and women in leadership. Zelezny was nominated for the program by Fresno State Provost Jeri Echeverria and President John D. Welty.

When she returns to Fresno State next year, Zelezny will be on a special assignment with the president and provost to work on strategic planning and the university’s comprehensive campaign.

“The American Council of Education provides one of the best training experiences for those considering administrative work in higher education,” said Echeverria. “Dr. Zelezny’s selection highlights her leadership skills and honors the university by recognizing the fact that we have great faculty members at Fresno State.”

Zelezny earned her doctorate from Claremont Graduate University and an M.B.A. from the Fresno State’s Craig School of Business. A Fresno State faculty member since 1988, she is the winner of numerous awards and was nominated as Carnegie U.S. Professor of the Year.

She was co-director of a $4.5 million biomedical and behavioral research grant sponsored by National Institute of Health and a co-principal investigator for a Career Opportunities in Research grant sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health. She was a research coordinator for the Social Norms Initiative at Fresno State, sponsored by the Social Norms Institute.

“I’m honored and thrilled to be selected as an ACE fellow,” said Zelezny. “I look forward to learning more about university administration and networking with recognized university leaders across the nation.”

The ACE fellows program seeks candidates who display a solid record of academic achievement and strong leadership potential for higher university administration. A majority of previous fellows have advanced into major positions in academic administration. The program, founded in 1918, serves as a consensus leader on key higher-education issues and seeks to influence public policy through advocacy, research and program initiatives.