Academic Curriculum Excellence (ACE)

What is Eastern ACE?

Academic Curriculum Excellence (ACE) is a demonstration grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The purpose of the grant is to ensure that students with disabilities who choose to attend small, rural universities receive a quality higher education, by employing a comprehensive approach to:

1. Develop and implement teaching strategies for faculty, and
2. Provide professional development and training at other campuses in Eastern New Mexico.

Who is on the Eastern ACE Council?

Eastern ACE Council members are Eastern New Mexico University department chairs, faculty and staff members.

How will ACE benefit the University?

ACE will benefit the University by directly involving faculty and staff to develop and incorporate teaching methods and strategies for students with disabilities into their methodology. In addition, ACE will expand faculty awareness and understanding of educational problems, disability issues and teaching challenges.

What are the objectives of the ACE program?

Eastern ACE has two main objectives:

1. To implement professional development and training on ENMU's campuses as well as other postsecondary institutions in Eastern New Mexico, based on results of campus-wide needs assessments, and
2. To establish campus-wide resource councils on disabilities at ENMU and other rural, postsecondary institutions

Who supervises the ACE program?

The director of the Eastern ACE grant is Ms. Bernita Davis. Bernita holds a B.S. in psychology and a master's degree in special education. She has 12 years of experience working with persons with disabilities in postsecondary educational settings.

How does Eastern ACE affect faculty and staff members?

By agreeing to attend a series of awareness and training sessions, faculty and staff will be able to act as a disability resource for cohorts within their departments. Using this approach, Eastern's faculty and staff will be better able to respond to the needs of students with disabilities and to provide an enhanced educational program for all students.

How does Eastern ACE affect students?

Students with disabilities (as well as students in general) will receive a higher quality education by having faculty who are better able to respond to their individual needs. We anticipate this will aid in Eastern’s ongoing recruitment and retention efforts, as well.

What will be expected of faculty and staff who become involved in Eastern ACE?

As a member of the campus-wide resource council on disabilities, faculty and staff can become a departmental disability resource by enhancing their knowledge of theory and skills in disability issues in higher education. Council members will be required to attend four half-day workshops or two full-day workshops that will be offered at different times to prepare them for this role. Members will also be required to present a workshop to their department based on the knowledge they gained in the training sessions.

Faculty and staff members who participate in the resource council and conduct their workshops receive a stipend of $500 per year.

How can I review information presented in the ACE Council sessions?

You can view the Powerpoint presentations, or PDF files. You must have the free Acrobat Reader to view the PDF documents.

Information from ACE Council Sessions:
What are our institutional rights and responsibilities? PDF | Powerpoint
Disability Awareness PDF | Powerpoint
Learning Disabilities PDF | Powerpoint
Psychological Disabilities PDF | Powerpoint
Chronic Illness PDF | Powerpoint
Visual and Hearing Impairment PDF | Powerpoint
Mobility Impairment PDF | Powerpoint
Technology PDF | Powerpoint

How can I receive more information?

Visit or call:
Student Academic Services, Room 186
Monday–Friday • 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

Bernita Davis, director
Office of Disability Services
Office: 575.562.2280
Fax: 575.562.2118
E-mail: Bernita.Davis@enmu.edu

Our Mailing Address:
ENMU Station 34
1500 S Ave K
Portales, NM 88130