Director of ACE named 2026 Woman of Influence

Mount Mercy is proud to announce Kelly Ward, director of the Academic Center for Excellence, was named a 2026 Woman of Influence by the Corridor Business Journal.

Ward is one of ten named to the list which honors and celebrates women whose influence is shaping the Corridor through their work, in their communities, and beyond. These leaders serve as role models and mentors, lifting others as they lead and paving the way for future generations of influential women.

"Kelly brings our mission to life each day - genuine care for our students, a collaborative spirit in working together with faculty and staff colleagues, and a sense of real joy in being an educator. We are privileged to have Kelly in a leadership role on our team,” said President Todd Olson, PhD.

In her role, Ward counsels students who are struggling academically by connecting them with the resources they need to be successful and taking a personal interest in their progress. Mount Mercy graduates like Elyse Keeffer ‘24 credit Ward with not only connecting them with resources but empowering them to see what they’re capable of.

“The care she extended genuinely changed the trajectory of my success in college,” Keeffer, who now serves as the university’s coordinator of Service & Justice, said. “Kelly met me with authenticity, empathy, encouragement, and accountability that played a key role in empowering me not only to graduate from Mount Mercy within four years, but also to pursue my goal of double majoring in theology and social work and to graduate summa cum laude.

“While I can personally attest to the difference Kelly has made in my life, countless Mount Mercy students share similar experiences and know Kelly as a selfless leader who puts her all into addressing the needs of those around her.”

A former colleague who nominated Ward as a Woman of Influence recounted a student referral he made to her.

“Kelly didn’t just set up this student with a student tutor. Kelly sat with her and talked with her regularly.... The student needed to learn to believe in herself. She had to believe that she was good enough to go beyond where she came from and to get to the better future ahead,” said Tom Ksobiech, who served in various roles at Mount Mercy between 2020-2024 and now serves as the assistant dean for Admissions & Financial Aid at the University of Iowa College of Law.  

He continued, “I say this without an ounce of self-deprecation: what Kelly taught this student was so much more important and influential than anything that I could have done in the classroom.”

These sentiments echo through letters submitted by many colleagues.

“In less than a few years' time, Kelly has positively overhauled the way in which our university interacts with, assists, and champions students' journeys in the classroom,” wrote Molly Altorfer, associate athletic director and 2019 Woman of Influence recipient. “By revising Mount Mercy's Peer Academic Counseling (PAC) groups, Kelly has ignited the academic success of Mount Mercy's 700 student-athletes in 22 varsity sports, helping to raise the cumulative GPA of this group to over 3.33.”

“Kelly is tenacious. She will give her all to every student she encounters, to every friend, to every coworker, and even every stranger,” said Janey Jill Piersall, associate director of academic support. “She will not accept a 'no' until all possible options have been explored, all while fiercely advocating for students, encouraging them, strengthening their skills, and modeling authentic leadership”

Ward began at Mount Mercy in 2020 as director of Disability Services, before eventually moving into her role as director of ACE. Her professionalism, empathy, and exemplary communication strengthen the lives of Mount Mercy students, setting them up for success far beyond their time on The Hill.

Ward will be honored alongside other Woman of Influence winners on April 30 during an event at The Hotel at Kirkwood.