University of Richmond’s Nicole Maurantonio Named ACE Fellow

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND — Nicole Maurantonio, associate provost for academic affairs and professor of rhetoric and communication studies at the University of Richmond, has been named an American Council on Education Fellow.

ACE Fellows are nominated by the senior administration of their institutions and go through a rigorous application process. Maurantonio is one of 31 ACE Fellows selected for the 2026–27 academic year.

The ACE Fellows Program is designed to strengthen institutions and leadership in American higher education by identifying and preparing faculty and staff for senior positions in college and university administration.

The program combines retreats, interactive learning opportunities, visits to campuses and other higher education-related organizations, and placement at another higher education institution — condensing years of on-the-job experience and skills development into a single year. During the placement, ACE Fellows observe and work with the president and other senior officers at their host institution, attend decision-making meetings, and focus on issues of interest.

Maurantonio has worked at the University of Richmond for more than 15 years. She currently serves as associate provost for academic affairs, where she supports the integration of academic programming across the curriculum, leads and coordinates University-wide new faculty orientation, and works to align academic programming intentionally with the University’s strategic plan. She previously served as faculty director of advising, first-year seminar, and first- and second-year programming.

She is also professor of rhetoric and communication studies, and her research explores public memory and U.S. media history. She specifically studies narratives, objects, and materials of memory, using museum exhibits and souvenirs, monuments, literature, and graffiti as sites of study related to how people remember the past.

“I believe strongly and fundamentally in the power of higher education, and I want to help guide institutions that serve the public good,” said Maurantonio. “This opportunity as an ACE Fellow allows me the opportunity to learn in a new setting, ask thoughtful questions, and develop relationships while helping me grow as a leader at the University of Richmond.” 

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