ainum Family Foundation launched ACE (Advancement of Christian Education) Academy this past summer within the Columbia Union Conference. ACE is a leadership coaching program that was developed by NYC Leadership Academy and the Bainum Family Foundation as a pilot program.

The program is a two-year intensive designed to enhance leadership skills of 20 school administrators. Ten novice school administrators (“coachees”) and 10 seasoned administrators (“coaches”) will be paired for one-on-one training that will benefit both members of the pair as they build skills to lead their schools effectively.

Coachees submitted an application that detailed their interest and experience. The coaches, are well established in Columbia Union Education system, went through a rigorous process that included an in-person interview. It is the desire of both the Bainum Family Foundation and Columbia Union that both the coachees and coaches will be better equipped to meet the needs of their students and school constituency.

Jacqueline Messenger

associate Director for Secondary Education

Jacqueline Wheatley Messenger has served in education with notable excellence in the Columbia Union Conference for more than 30 years. Her experience ranges from teacher and principal for Spencerville Adventist Academy to superintendent for Chesapeake Conference. The youngest of three, Jacqueline’s parents sacrificed much for their children to attend Shenandoah Valley academy and various SDA colleges. Graduating with a B.S. in education from Columbia Union College Jacqueline went on to complete her M.A. in educational administration at Hood College. Jacqueline and her husband, Tom, whom she met at CUC, have four adult children. In late 2016 Jacqueline joined the Columbia Union Conference as the Associate Director for Secondary Education. She uses her passion for leadership to help principals develop their skills in that area.