ALLIANCE, Ohio — The University of Mount Union is pleased to welcome Dr. Ruma Chopra, professor of history at San Jose State University (SJSU), to campus this academic year as a 2021-22 American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow.

Chopra is one of 52 individuals, including Mount Union Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs and University Registrar Dr. Bryan Boatright, who were selected for the prestigious ACE Fellows Program. 

“Selection as a host institution is a sign of the outstanding reputation and commitment to excellence at the University of Mount Union,” said Sherri Lind Hughes, director of the ACE Fellows Program and a 2002-03 Fellow. “An ACE Fellow chooses an institution not only for its rigorous academic environment, high-quality efforts to educate students, but also its strong desire to invest in the future of higher education senior leadership as well.” 

Established in 1965, the ACE Fellows Program is designed to strengthen institutional and leadership capacity in American higher education by identifying and preparing faculty and staff for senior positions in college and university administration. Nearly 2,000 higher education leaders have participated in the ACE Fellows Program over the past five decades, with more than 80 percent of Fellows having served as senior leaders of colleges and universities.  

"It is so exciting for me to be at the University of Mount Union,” said Chopra. “I am honored to work with and learn from Dr. Tom Botzman and his talented leadership team.  I also look forward to learning from students, faculty and staff during this year.”  

Chopra has been with SJSU since 2008 and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses related to immigration, urbanization, racialization, poverty, and violence. She has published three books related to colonialism and slavery; her fourth book project examines the racial consequences of pre-Darwinian climatic theories. 

Chopra holds a doctoral degree from the University of California, Davis, and a master’s degree and bachelor’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University. 

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Chopra to campus as a member of this incredible program,” said Mount Union President Tom Botzman, an alumnus of the ACE Fellows Program. “We are ready to share with her what makes Mount Union exceptional while utilizing her expertise to help the University continue to grow.”  

Learn more about the ACE Fellows Program at acenet.edu.