ACE Cleveland Executive Director Spotlight

The current challenges of the COVID -19 pandemic amid inequalities that have existed for many decades highlight the need to inspire the hopes and dreams of young people who will take our industry and city forward. We all have a responsibility to create more opportunities for an inclusive industry and community.

ACE Mentor Cleveland has worked with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District for the past 12 years and with Warrensville Heights City Schools the past 5 years, engaging over 1600 primarily diverse students. During the 2019-20 school year, we provided nearly 200 high school and 70 college students educational and career experiences.

ACE Mentor Cleveland thanks our teachers and volunteers (mentors and committee members) for their hard work and our sponsors for supporting students' advancement and understanding of architecture, construction and engineering. We know that our actions improve the educational and career experiences for students, the industry, and Greater Cleveland. We spark ideas for new ways to approach growth and our A-C-E industry.

Though we could not have our traditional celebrations with student presentations, scholarship awards and recognition of Mentor and Volunteer of Year this year, we continue our commitment to support the development and recognition of students and volunteers. One of our students is receiving $60,000+ in local and national scholarships for his participation in ACE. This is quite an achievement! We also recognized five students who wrote essays about their ACE Mentor experiences this year. Additional funding from the Cleveland Foundation contributed to our record year in Fund Development.

ACE Mentor National and Cleveland adapted to the abrupt changes created by the pandemic and racial inequities; while maintaining our focus on ensuring we provide opportunities which allow students to make contributions to our industry and community.  

We must continue to work together to bring about the changes needed to advance student learning and development especially during this time of social distancing, with the digital divide that impacts our students' learning and development of life skills.

We thank our funders and volunteers for their support of our mission to ENGAGE, EXCITE and ENLIGHTEN students and adults. And we welcome others who want to join us and contribute to our efforts to advance Cleveland and our ACE Industry.