Central Michigan University

CMU hosting conference for women in higher ed

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Topics in this story: Arts and events, College of Education and Human Services, Education and schools

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Media Contact(s):

Lindsay Allen
989-774-7327

Program Contact(s):

Pamela Eddy
989-774-1162

LANSING - Career choices, diversity issues and leadership strategies will be featured topics when Central Michigan University hosts a conference for women in higher education.

"Our Journeys: Diverse Pathways, Common Ground," the annual conference of the Michigan American Council on Education Network for Women Leaders in Higher Education will take place June 9 and 10 at the James B. Henry Center for Executive Development in Lansing.

"This conference serves as an opportunity for all the institutional representatives to meet as a group and provides a major professional development opportunity for women leaders in the state," said Pamela Eddy, CMU educational leadership faculty member. "It provides professional development on leadership skills, networking opportunities, and chances for personal reflection on work and life integration."

Though it primarily is targeted to women working at colleges and universities throughout the state, the conference is open to the public.

Several meetings and events are scheduled for June 9, including "Current Issues in Higher Education in Michigan: Sharing Strategies for Women Leaders to Engage in the Legislative Process," a Dinner with Legislators event. Confirmed speakers include Sen. Deborah Cherry and Reps. Joan Bauer, Pam Byrnes and Alma Wheeler Smith. Kathy Wilbur, CMU's vice president for government relations and public affairs and a recent inductee into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame, will introduce the panel; MaryLee Davis, ACE state board Public Policy Committee chair, will moderate. Admission to the dinner is $25.

June 10 events include "Developing Future Leaders: Points of Influence," a keynote address by Sharon McDade, director of the ACE Fellows program in Washington, D.C. Breakout sessions also are scheduled, as are a luncheon and awards ceremony and a Women's Wisdom panel featuring college and university presidents.

Preregistration for the conferences costs $169 for nonstudents and $100 for students; deadline is 5 p.m. June 1. After the deadline, rates increase, and registration must be conducted at the conference. For registration forms, information, a complete schedule of events or other details, visit http://ace.cmich.edu/conferences.shtml.

"The conference is unique in its focus on issues particularly germane to women leaders," said Eddy. "It provides opportunities to network and discuss career planning that are not always available on individual campuses. Since it is low cost, it offers college administrators a chance to obtain development opportunities without having the expense of traveling to other parts of the country."