LCC's Dr. Tanya Bailey to be honored

By Chloe Gregg
Associate Editor

On Tuesday, June 14, LCC Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Tonya Bailey will be presented with the Michigan ACE Award for distinguished women in higher education at the network’s annual state conference.

This conference will be held at the Novi Suburban Collection Showplace conference center in Novi. This year’s focus is “Women Leading with Resilience in Changing Times.”

There will be two other women receiving the award this year: Keri Becker the athletic director from Grand Valley State University; and Dr. Teresa K. Woodruff, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs at Michigan State University.

“The Michigan ACE award for distinguished women in higher education is the highest recognition of the network that they give annually,” Bailey said. “They select a few for the nomination process. I was nominated by (LCC President) Dr. (Steve) Robinson for this honor. It recognizes individuals who are making a difference in the lives of others by empowering and lifting them in some capacity.”

According to the Michigan ACE Network, “Dr. Tonya Bailey is cited for her efforts on behalf of the human need for community, connection and belonging. She has founded and leads a number of programs at the Lansing campus focused on equity, inclusion and inspiration of young women.”

Bailey has developed many initiatives within the local community, including the Women Inspiring Scholarship through Empowerment (WISE). This is a mentoring program that provides career exploration, academic support and much more for those who self-identify as women at LCC.

She has also been leading for several years community efforts around women empowerment, such as equal pay issues. She also promotes annual conferences and symposiums that yield about 300 women annually.

“I have spent my life working on the betterment of others,” Bailey said. “I live on the notion that you can’t become great until you make someone else greater.

“Receiving this award is a humbling experience and recognition. It ultimately means to me that there is more work that I have to do. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be perceived in this fashion, but I also know that there is more work to be done to uplift and empower and encourage women.”

For more information on the Michigan ACE Network, visit the website here.