Hall of Fame Member Biographies

Ann Ackerman

Oklahoma colleges and universities act as a mighty reservoir of talent for both young people and for the communities in which they reside; these talents thus enhance the lives of students and as well enrich Oklahoma's towns and cities. No finer example exists of an educator who has served both students and communities than Ann Ackerman, formerly of Oklahoma City Community College and now President and CEO of the Oklahoma Business Roundtable in Oklahoma City. Professor Ackerman earned a B.S. in Mathematics at Oklahoma State University and then went on to earn her advanced degrees in Mathematics Education at the University of Oklahoma, acquiring her Ph.D. in 1980. She taught high school mathematics at Yukon between 1972 and 1977, and then became a professor of mathematics at Oklahoma City Community College in 1977. She became Department Chair in 1986, moved on to become Dean of Science and Mathematics in 1989, and then was selected to numerous Vice-Presidential posts, including academic planning, external educational programs, and special assistant to the president for economic and community development. She served as Chief Executive Officer of Leadership Oklahoma (Oklahoma City) from 2006 to 2015 before becoming the CEO and president of the Oklahoma Business Roundtable in 2016. She has held innumerable offices in organizations promoting mathematical education: Vice-President of Oklahoma Junior College Mathematics Association, President of the Oklahoma Association of Community and Junior Colleges, Vice President of the Central Oklahoma Association of Teachers of Mathematics, an evaluation team member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, member of many education task forces, and lately Co-Chair of the Governor's Youth Council (2006-2009). Dr. Ackerman was also an American Council of Education Fellow in 1998-1999. She obtained several million dollars of grant funding in her Vice-Presidential posts at Oklahoma City Community College, and as the CEO of Leadership Oklahoma she doubled the endowment account, grew the net income tenfold, successfully expanded membership, and instituted Youth Leadership Oklahoma, all of which resulted in her being presented the 2008 Innovator Award by Southern Growth Policies Board and being a 2011 finalist for the Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence Award. Ann Ackerman has successfully brought together the academic purpose of higher education and the creation of strong economic links to local communities. Among the many community organizations she has assisted are the American Red Cross of Central Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Health Center Foundation, Leadership Oklahoma City, Rotary Club 29, the Oklahoma Coalition for Women, the Annie Oakley Society (Oklahoma Western Heritage Museum), YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Zoological Society, St. Anthony Foundation, and the Children's Hospital Foundation. Her activities on behalf of her students and community have been recognized innumerable times. The Journal Record tabbed her among the "Most Admired CEOs" in 2014, given her the Innovator of the Year Award in 2003, and named her a finalist for the "Woman of the Year" award in 1998, 2000, and 2003. Most recently Ion Oklahoma gave her recognition in 2015 in its cover story "A Flagship of Oklahoma Leadership." For this stellar record of service to students and to her community, the Oklahoma Higher Education Heritage Society welcomes her in the 2016 class of the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame.