Dr. Merodie A. Hancock, president of Trenton’s Thomas Edison State University, joined 12 other exemplary educators who were recently recognized with induction into the International Adult and Continuing Education (IACE) Hall of Fame. The induction for the class of 2018 was held Nov. 10 at the New Orleans Marriott in New Orleans, La.

Dr. Merodie A. Hancock, president, Thomas Edison State University, right, receives her plaque from Chair Dian Stoskopf, left, after installation in the International Adult and Continued Education Hall of Fame.

The IACE Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to honor individuals who have made distinguished contributions to the field of adult and continuing education and to serve as a record and inspiration for the next generation of continuing education leaders. This year marks the 23rd anniversary of the Hall of Fame, among previous notable inductees are Malcolm Knowles (1996), Barbara Bush (1997) and John W. Gardner (2003).

Hancock was commended for dedicating her career to serving as a strong and consistent advocate for adult and continuing education policy, funding, practice and assessment. The IACE recognized that she is widely known for delivering innovative education across campuses and international borders. Among her other contributions to the field, Hancock has served on the Department of Defense Taskforce on Developing Best Practice Standards for Distance Learning, playing a key role as this technology expanded to deliver high-quality academic programming to busy professionals, parents, caretakers and other adults with time and place constraints.

Election to the Hall of Fame acknowledges that individuals have made distinguished contributions to the field of adult and continuing education. Each has provided a crucial nexus between resources and learners. These innovative leaders have believed passionately in the evolutionary power of education. All are themselves exemplary lifelong learners and have left lasting impressions on the students, institutions and organizations they have served.

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