Peterson-Veatch Receives National Award for Excellence in Academic
Leadership
Winfield, Kan., Oct. 19, 2021 — The American Conference of Academic Deans
(ACAD) Board of Directors has announced that Ross Peterson-Veatch, vice
president for academic affairs and Dean of Southwestern College, is the
recipient of the 2021 award for Excellence in Academic Leadership.
The award was established by ACAD to recognize individuals who exemplify
excellence in academic leadership through shaping and supporting positive
change on their campuses and in their communities.
As an academic leader, Peterson-Veatch has facilitated necessary and
positive change throughout his career. Across his leadership roles, he has
focused on improving systems, implementing fair and consistent practices, and
advancing the institution’s learning environment. Evidence of his commitment to
academic excellence is visible at Southwestern College and previously, at
Goshen College, where he has led initiatives to innovate the curriculum and
enhance faculty development.
Additionally, Peterson-Veatch has worked to go beyond the walls of higher
education to promote positive change in external communities. Notably, he
facilitates a high-leverage leadership development program that is centered on
an activity called the “Immunity to Change Exercise” (ITC). He partnered with
the local Chamber of Commerce in Goshen, Ind., and has been in discussion with
the Leadership Cowley County Board to provide this activity to our local
leadership development programs. He has recently worked with the Winfield
Public Library on two programs, the first, a panel discussion on perspectives
on the Vietnam War featuring two Vietnam Veterans and an academic historian of
the 1960s, and the second a program on “What is Folklore?” While at Goshen
College, he established the Elkhart County P-16 Education Advisory Group. This
multi-institutional, cross-sector organization held monthly meetings of higher
education leaders and the superintendents of all seven Elkhart County (Ind.)
school districts. Through this work, the county’s system of education was
better equipped to serve the diverse communities present in each school
district and to engage with the private sector as a means of supporting career
readiness.
“Dr. Ross Peterson-Veatch is a dedicated, passionate, and trusted
academic leader who exemplifies the definition of a servant-leader in all of
his actions. He has worked thoughtfully to advance innovative approaches to
faculty development, curricular design, and collaboration throughout his
career. Always quick to strike up a conversation with a faculty member or
student, Dr. Peterson-Veatch works to truly listen and understand in developing
solutions. His creative vision, commitment to excellence and warm personality,
make him an outstanding academic leader,” shares Dr. Kenneth Newbold, provost
and chief academic officer at Benedictine University and the nominator for this
award.
“I am deeply honored to receive this award,” said Peterson-Veatch. “Our
leadership in the institutions we serve matters a lot, and to have ACAD
colleagues around the country to turn to for advice and support has been a
steady source of success for me and the teams I have worked with at Indiana
University, Goshen College, and Southwestern College. I am truly grateful for
how much I have learned from my time with ACAD, and am humbled by this
recognition.”
Peterson-Veatch will be recognized and formally presented the award
during the ACAD Annual Meeting on Feb. 24, in St. Petersburg, Fla.
“Ross’ work at Southwestern, and throughout his career, has consistently
drawn the praise and admiration of his peers across the nation,” said
Southwestern president, Brad Andrews. “This honor is not only a great measure
of that admiration and respect but also a wonderful recognition of his work.”
