Dear2025AnnualConferenceAttendees,
IbelievegratitudeisthebestwaytostartanymessagebecauseIdeeplyvaluepeople and the time they invest. With that, I say "thank you " for joining us for the 2025 South CarolinaWomeninHigherEducation(SCWHE).YoursupportofSCWHEisinvaluableand wearehonoredtoservethisincrediblecommunity.
The Annual Conference is a dynamic endeavor that allows us to collaboratively learn nts and Women's Leadership ventpossible:
registration and silent auction o provide invaluable resources tion.
Ms. Kandy Peacock, Dr. Susan Dr. Shelley Haddock Dempsey, appreciate your professional akethiseventspecial.
he SCWHE Annual Conference ige, Doretha, Jackie, Melissia, dedication, time, and talents Carolina. It is truly an honor to
CONFERENCESCHEDULE Thursday,February27,2025
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Pre-Conference
Registration, Professional Headshots, & Silent Auction
12:00 p.m.
12:05-1:30 p.m.
1:30-1:45 p.m.
1:45-2:45 p.m.
2:45-3:30 p.m.
Conference Opening & Welcome
Dr. Tondaleya G. Jackson, Chief Operating Officer Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation, Voorhees University
President & State Chair, SCWHE
Awards & Recognition Luncheon
Scholarship Recipient Recognition
Presidential Pinning Acknowledgment
Women’s Leadership Academy Graduation
Institutional Representative Recognition
SCWHE Board Recognition
Break Time
Visit the Silent Auction Gallery & Professional Headshot Station
Opening Keynote
Dr. Kimberly Lee, Director of Community Strategy and Engagement
American Council on Education (ACE)
Networking & Dessert Bar
3:30-4:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
Ballroom
Classroom
4:30-5:00 p.m.
Navigating Leadership in Academia: Women in Higher Ed as Agents for Change
Dr Elizabeth Davis, President Furman University
This session delves into the unique challenges women face when pursuing leadership roles in academia Participants will explore practical strategies for leadership development, navigating institutional dynamics, and breaking down systemic barriers Attendees will gain tools to advocate effectively and leverage their influence to drive positive change within their institutions
Job Search Strategies for Salary Negotiation
Ms Kandy Peacock, Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer
South Carolina Technical College System
Embarking on a job search can be a daunting task, filled with both excitement and uncertainty One of the most critical aspects of this process is the ability to effectively negotiate your salary This session aims to provide you with valuable insights and actionable steps to navigate your job search successfully and negotiate a salary that sets the foundation for your future earnings and career growth
Conference Closing
Visit the Silent Auction Gallery & Professional Headshot Station
CONFERENCESCHEDULE Friday,February28,2025
8:00-9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast & Silent Auction
9:00-10:00 a.m. Leadership Panel Dr Susan Elkins, Chancellor University of South Carolina Palmetto College
Anita Olson Gustafson, Ph.D., President Presbyterian College
Dr Hope Rivers, President Piedmont Technial College
10:00-10:15 a.m. Break Time
10:15-11:00
11:00-11:30 a.m. Conference Closing Silent Auction Winners Evaluation Closing Remarks 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch and Departure
Wekindlyaskyoutotakeafewminutestocompleteourconferenceevaluation survey Yourresponseswillhelpusunderstandyourexperienceandensurethat futureSCWHEeventsandprogramsmeetyourneedsandexpectations. https://tinyurlcom/SCWHE2025
Conference Speakers Dr.KimLee AmericanCouncilonEducation KimLeeservesasthedirectorofcommunitystrategyandengagementwiththe AmericanCouncilonEducation(ACE).WithinherACEportfolio,shehasresponsibility fortheWomen’sNetwork.Sheisanadvocateforsocialjusticeandequity.Priortoher rolewithACE,sheheldexecutiveleadershiproleswithintheTechnicalCollege SystemofGeorgia(TCSG)andtheAlabamaCommunityCollegeSystem.Sheisalso apastpresidentoftheGeorgiaAssociationforWomeninHigherEducation(GAWHE)
DuringhertimewiththeTechnicalCollegeSystemofGeorgia(TCSG–formerlythe DepartmentofTechnicalandAdultEducation–DTAE)atbothAlbanyTechnical CollegeandSouthernCrescentTechnicalCollegesheledaccreditation,strategic planning,capitaloutlayandspecialprojectsefforts,respectively.
Priortoservingonthefor-creditsideofhighereducation,Kimservedasvicechancellorforadulteducationwiththe AlabamaCommunityCollegeSystemandasdirectorofassessment,evaluationandGED®TestingwithTCSG Under herleadership,programevaluationprocessesweremodifiedtoincludeacomprehensivereviewofdataanalyticsto informpracticeforbothacademicaffairsandstudentaffairs.Dr.Leeisalsocreditedwithimprovingperformance withprofessionaldevelopmentparticularlyintheareasofdataanalyticsfortechnicalcollegesandtheattainment andpromotionofwomenrepresentedinhighereducationexecutiveleadershippositions
KimreceivedherPhDinadulteducationfromtheUniversityofGeorgia.SheearnedbothherBachelorofScienceand herMasterofSciencedegreesinInternationalRelationsandLearningDisabilities,respectivelyfromFloridaState University SheisalsoanalumoftheAspenFellowshipProgramandagraduateofboththeInstituteforEducation ManagementwithHarvardUniversity,andtheExecutiveLeadershipInstitutewiththeLeagueofInnovationfor CommunityColleges.
Dr.ElizabethDavis FurmanUniversity Dr ElizabethDavisbecameFurman’s12thPresidentonJuly1,2014 Beforecomingto Furman,shespent22yearsatBaylorUniversityinTexas,whereshewasamemberof theaccountingfacultyandmostrecentlyheldthepositionofExecutiveVice PresidentandProvost.UnderherleadershipatFurman,theUniversityhasinstituted TheFurmanAdvantage.InSeptember2019,Dr.DaviswastherecipientoftheWilliam M BurkePresidentialAwardforExcellenceinExperientialEducationinrecognitionof hersignificantcontributionstoexperientialeducation,includingcreatingThe FurmanAdvantage
ShehasbeenrecognizedasoneofGreenvilleBusinessMagazine’s“50Most InfluentialPeople,”andisnowincludedinthe“MostInfluentialHallofFame.”
Dr DavisiscurrentlyamemberoftheBoardofDirectorsoftheUnitedWayandhasservedontheboardofthe GreenvilleChamberofCommerce.ShehasalsoservedontheboardoftheCouncilofIndependentColleges,the AssociationofGoverningBoardsCouncilofPresidents,andontheAmericanCouncilonEducation’sWomen’s NetworkExecutiveCommitteeDr.DavisreceivedherBachelorofBusinessAdministrationdegreefromBaylorin1984, andearnedherPhD fromDukeUniversityin1992
Ms.KandyPeacock Conference Speakers SouthCarolinaTechnicalCollegeSystem KandyPeacockservesasVicePresidentandChiefHumanResourceOfficerforthe SouthCarolinaTechnicalCollegeSystem Inthispivotalrolesheisresponsibleforthe overalldirectionofhumanresourcemanagementprogramsandinitiativesthrough thedevelopment,implementation,andcoordinationofpoliciesandproceduresfor theStateBoardandsixteencolleges.Additionally,sheisresponsibleforproviding support,guidance,adviceandcounseltotheStateBoard,theSystemPresident, StateBoardVicePresidents,DivisionDirectors,Presidents’Council,Area Commissioners,andTechnicalCollegePeerGroupsonmattersrelevanttosound humanresourcepracticestoincludeadherencetoapplicableagency,federal,and stateguidelines.Shereceivedabachelor’sdegreeinbusiness/retailmanagement fromtheUniversityofSouthCarolinaanddualmaster’sdegreesinhumanresource developmentandmanagementfromWebsterUniversity.
SheisanactivememberinseveralorganizationsincludingtheSouthCarolinaWomeninHigherEducation(board member)theNationalSocietyforHumanResourceManagement(SHRM)Association,theSouthCarolinaCollege andUniversityProfessionalAssociationforHumanResources,andtheSouthCarolinaTechnicalEducation Association.
AnitaOlsonGustafson,Ph.D. PresidentofPresbyterianCollege OlsonGustafson,Ph.D.wasinstalledasthe20thpresidentofPresbyterianCollegeon April26,2024.ShereturnedtoPCaftersevenyearsasthedeanoftheCollegeof LiberalArtsandSciencesandaprofessorofhistoryatMercerUniversity,aprivate researchuniversityinMacon,Ga BeforejoiningMercerin2016,Gustafsonservedon thePCfacultyandadministrationfornearlytwodecades SheisPC’sfirstfemale president.WhileatMercerUniversity,Gustafsonmanagedtheuniversity’slargest academicundergraduatecollegewithnearly2000students.Shecollaborated consistentlywiththeprovostanddeansfrom11otheruniversityprograms,including theSchoolsofLaw,Business,Engineering,Education,Theology,Professional Advancement,Music,Medicine,Pharmacy,Nursing,andHealthProfessions In2018, sheworkedwithfacultytodevelopandimplementastrategicplanfortheCollegeof LiberalArtsandSciences.
Duringher19yearsatPC,Gustafsonworkedtodeliverahigh-qualityliberalartsprogramasamemberofthefaculty andasanadministrator Sheservedonthepresident’scabinetformorethantwoyearswhilethepresidential positionwasintransitionduetoaretirement Shealsoservedasinterimprovost,interimdeanofacademic programsandhistorydepartmentchair.GustafsonheldanumberoffacultyleadershiprolesatPC,includingchairof theSeniorFacultyCouncilandchairofthePCLaunchProgramforVocation,LeadershipandService.
Gustafsonearnedherdoctorateandmaster’sdegreesinhistoryfromNorthwesternUniversityinEvanston,Il She holdsabachelor’sdegreewithmajorsineconomicsandSwedishandaminorinhistoryfromNorthParkUniversityin Chicago
DuringherfirstyearandahalfatPC,Dr.Gustafsonhasintroducedseveralnewinitiatives,includingEPICService a programthatbringsPresbyterianCollege’slong-livedoutmotto,WhileWeLive,WeServe,intotheacademic programtoembedservicelearninginthecurriculum;theCenterforInquiry,ResearchandScholarship,established toprovideacentralpointforcollaborationonthevariousresearchopportunitiesourfacultyandstudentsparticipate in;andCivilConversationsthatprovidesstructuresforstudentstohaveconversationswheretheycandivedeeply intothecomplexissuessurroundingeventsthatshapeourworld
Conference Speakers Dr.SusanElkins ChancelloroftheUniversityofSouthCarolinaPalmettoCollege Dr.ElkinshasledPalmettoCollege'sadministrativeoperationssince2013,overseeing itsregionalcampusesandonlinebachelor’sprograms.Shehasbachelor’sand master’sdegreesfromTennesseeTechnologicalUniversity(TTU),andearnedher doctorateinEducationalLeadershipfromVanderbiltUniversity Underherguidance, PalmettoCollegesawa21%enrollmentincreasesince2013 Dr Elkinspreviously servedasVicePresidentofExtendedProgramsandRegionalDevelopmentatTTU, focusingonexpandingoff-campusprogramsthroughstrategicpartnerships.A tenuredProfessorofEducation,sheemphasizesstudentaccessandsuccess,with herresearchandpresentationscenteredonleadershipandcontinuinghigher education Dr ElkinsistheImmediatePastPresidentofACHEInternational,aformer ACHESouthPresident,andhasreceivedLeadershipAwardsfrombothorganizations Inaddition,sheistheimmediatepastpresidentoftheSocietyofAdvancementof Management.
Dr Elkinsisdedicatedtofosteringeducationalopportunitiesandexcellence,bothregionallyandnationally,while alsocherishingherfamilylifewithherhusband,son,daughter-in-law,andgrandchildren.
Dr.HopeRivers PresidentofPiedmontTechnicalCollege Dr.HopeE.Rivers,PresidentofPiedmontTechnicalCollege(PTC),hasbeen instrumentalinadvancingthecollege'smissionofprovidingaccessible,high-quality educationandtraining.Underherleadership,PTC,whichservesthelargestareain SouthCarolina’stechnicalcollegesystem,hasseena6%increaseinenrollmentand securedfundingfortenrenovationandcapitalimprovementprojects Theseinclude anewhealthsciencefacilityinGreenwoodandadvancedmanufacturingcentersin SaludaandEdgefieldcounties.Dr.Rivershasspearheadedinitiativeslike establishingTheHopePantryfoodbank,revivingtheHonorsProgram,expanding work-basedlearningopportunities,redesigningmathandEnglishcurricula,and implementingnewtechnologysystemstoenhancestudentservicesand communications,settinganewstandardforexcellence
Heroutstandingcontributionshavebeenrecognizedwithseveralawards,includingtheUSCDistinguishedBlack AlumniAwardandtheSouthCarolinaAssociationofTechnicalCollegeCommissioners2024ChiefExecutiveOfficer Award.In2024,Dr.RiverswaselectedastheSCTechnicalCollegeSystemPresidents’CouncilChair.Mostrecently,Dr. Riverswasoneof25leadersselectednationwidetoparticipateinthesecondcohortoftheAspenPresidents Fellowship ShehasalsobeenhonoredwithacommemorativebrickonthehistoricUniversityofSouthCarolina Horseshoe
Asafirst-generationcollegestudentfromasmallruraltown,Dr.Riversservesasaninspiringrolemodel,tirelessly workingtoenhancestudentsuccessanddriveeconomicmobilityinSouthCarolinathroughtechnicaleducation.
Executive Board SCWHEisa501(c)(6)organizationandapartnerofTheAmericanCouncilonEducation’s (ACE)Women’sNetwork,whichprovidesthenationaldirectionforwomen’sleadership developmentandcareeradvancement.Weofferexceptionallyvaluableprofessional developmentopportunitiestopromisingwomenemployedinourhighereducation institutions.Forover18years,ournetworkhasusedamodelcreatedbyACEtoprovide opportunitiesforprofessionaldevelopmentandnetworking.Ourconferenceisopentoall womenworkinginhighereducationinthestateofSouthCarolina.
Dr.TondaleyaJackson VoorheesUniversity
Dr.LaNae’Budden UniversityofSouthCarolina
Dr.JacquelynBlakley Tri-CountyTechnicalCollege
Dr.MelissaBrannen ColumbiaCollege
Dr.PaigeOuzts LanderUniversity
Ms.DeVettaHughes TridentTechnicalCollege
Ms.DorethaGlymph MidlandsTechnicalCollege
Ms.LeilaMcKinney SpartanburgCommunity College
Ms.KandyPeacock SCTechnicalCollege System
Ms.SusanWrightPope TheCitadel
Ms.CarolynWatkins GreenvilleTechnical College President/StateChair VicePresident Secretary Treasurer& Parliamentarian
Ms.LeahSchonfeld TheCitadel
HonoraryMembers AdvisoryBoard Dr.MaryAlexander UniversityofSouthCarolina–Columbia
Dr.SallyBoyd UniversityofSouthCarolina–Columbia
Dr.WilletteBurnham MedicalUniversityofSouthCarolina
Dr.SiobhanCraftBrownson WinthropUniversity
LisaMangione GreenvilleTechnicalCollege
Dr.KarenGainey LimestoneCollege
Dr.MaryHolloway MidlandsTechnicalCollege
Ms.EvelynPride AikenTechnicalCollege
Dr.TerrieSmith UniversityofSouthCarolina
CharmaineTomczyk CoastalCarolinaUniversity
Dr.ElizabethDavis President FurmanUniversity
Dr.SusanElkins Chancellor PalmettoCollege
Dr.NatalieHarder President CokerUniversity
Dr.JeffPerez PresidentandExecutiveDirector SCCommisiononHigherEducation
Dr.WalterA.Tobin President Orangeburg-CalhounTechnicalCollege
**InstitutionalaffiliationofHonoraryBoardMember(formerboardmember) attimeofappointment**
Institutional Representatives IRsarewomenvolunteersateducationalinstitutionsacrossthestatewhoactively promotethemissionandgoalsofSCHWEamongtheirinstitutions.Allwomenonyour campusmayjoinandparticipateinSCWHEactivities TheIRisthepointofcontactto ensurethewomenoncampusremaininformedabouteventsandengagewiththeir colleaguesacrossSouthCarolinainprofessionalandpersonallearningopportunities.
AikenTechnicalCollege
ShakailahC.Heard
AndersonUniversity RobynSanderson
CharlestonSchoolofLaw
MargaretM.Lawton
CharlestonSouthernUniversity EmilyThomas
ClaflinUniversity CletraPeters
ClemsonUniversity
KristyGlover
ClintonCollege ArchinyaIngram
CoastalCarolinaUniversity EmmaHowes
CollegeofCharleston KristenMcMullen
ColumbiaCollege Dr.TywanaChenaultHemby
ColumbiaInternationalUniversity AmyDubois
ConverseUniversity
TammyStokes
DenmarkTechnicalCollege
SashaJohnson-Coleman TiaWright-Richards
FrancisMarionUniversity ElizabethShefton
FurmanUniversity SharenBeaulieu
GreenvilleTechnicalCollege BridgetteWideman
Horry-GeorgetownTechnicalCollege JackieSnyder
LanderUniversity TammieMallory
LimestoneCollege PennieDarwin AngelaWilliams
MidlandsTechnicalCollege
DorethaGlymph
MorrisCollege Dr.DelorisMcBride
NewberryCollege SaraPeters
NortheasternTechnicalCollege LaurenOdoms
Orangeburg-CalhounTechnicalCollege FaithMcCurry
Institutional Representatives IRsarewomenvolunteersateducationalinstitutionsacrossthestatewhoactively promotethemissionandgoalsofSCHWEamongtheirinstitutions.Allwomenonyour campusmayjoinandparticipateinSCWHEactivities.TheIRisthepointofcontactto ensurethewomenoncampusremaininformedabouteventsandengagewiththeir colleaguesacrossSouthCarolinainprofessionalandpersonallearningopportunities
PiedmontTechnicalCollege
AlesiaBrown
PresbyterianCollege
Dr.SelenaBlair
SCCommissionofHigherEducation
ArgentiniAndersen
SCTechnicalCollegeSystem
DeBorahWhite
ShermanCollegeofChiropractic LaShandaHarris
SouthUniversity DeborahHarris-Sims
SpartanburgCommunityCollege AnnJones
SpartanburgMethodistCollege
JulieLandford
TechnicalCollegeoftheLowcountry
Dr.FrancineMarz
TheCitadel
MelanthaArdrey
Tri-CountyTechnicalCollege
TerriAnnBelk
TridentTechnicalCollege
Dr.KarenWrighten
USCBeaufort
KarenNeese
Dr.JuanitaBabetVillena-Alvarez
USCColumbia JuliaBellon
USCLancaster TraceyMobleyChavous
USCPalmettoCollege ChristineRinehart
USCSchoolofMedicineGreenville LaceyCooper
USCSumter KristinaGrob
VoorheesUniversity WanjaMontgomery
WilliamsburgTechnicalCollege GayleTremble
WinthropUniversity SuzieTherrell
WoffordCollege
BegoñaCaballero-García
YorkTechnicalCollege
AyannaMcClurkin
CongratulationstoDr.VickyWood,whobringsa passionforstudentsuccessandcommunity growth.PreviouslypresidentofWashingtonState CollegeofOhio,shehasaproventrackrecordof strengtheningacademicprogramsand communitypartnerships.
TridentTechnicalCollege WelcomesitsSixthPresident Dr.VickyWood Asafirst-generationcollege graduate,Dr.Woodis committedtohelpingothers achievethrougheducation andhascreatedscholarships tosupportfirst-genstudents. Herleadershipfocuseson expandingopportunitiesfor studentsandthecommunity.
2024-2025
ShanaAshford GreenvilleTechnicalCollege
JenniferBlack
SouthCarolinaTechnical CollegeSystem
KristaBlackwell
UniversityofSouthCarolina SchoolofMedicineGreenville
MayaBostick
MidlandsTechnicalCollege
MilaBurgessConway ColumbiaCollege
WhitneyCagle UniversityofSouthCarolina
Columbia
LeahCarlisle
MidlandsTechnicalCollege
KelliCarroll
UniversityofSouthCarolina
TakeciaClayton VoorheesUniversity
JuliaHeath UniversityofSouthCarolina
StefaniaHiltgen NewberryCollege
CourtneyMaricondo
SpartanburgCommunity College
MichikoMcClary MorrisCollege
KenyaMcGregor
SpartanburgCommunity College
ShakerraMiller
SpartanburgCommunity College
MorganOsborne UniversityofSouthCarolina
GeleenReed-Toresdahl
UniversityofSouthCarolina
LeahSimmonds
WinthropUniversity
2025 Scholarship Recipients TheSouthCarolinaWomeninHigherEducation(SCWHE)AnnualConference Scholarshipisawardedtowomengraduatestudentsandnewprofessionalsinthe fieldofhighereducation(3yearsorless).Applicants’responsestoashortessayare evaluatedbyacommitteeofSCWHEboardmembers.
AshleyHubbard UniversityofSouthCarolina Manager,Pre-Med/HealthAdvising&GraduateStudent
GennaMalatino UniversityofSouthCarolina
JosephF.RiceSchoolofLaw AssociateDirectorofStrategicInitiativesOperations
AmoritaMcClam UniversityofSouthCarolinaSchoolofMedicine LearningSpecialist
AngelaMcDowell AikenTechnicalCollege AcademicStudentSuccessCoach&GraduateStudent
LaRuchalaMurphy ConverseUniversity Adjunct-ArtsAdministration&GraduateStudent
AtenaPasha UniversityofSouthCarolina PostdoctoralResearchFellow
DominiquePurdie UniversityofSouthCarolina InterpersonalViolenceAdvocate
AlexusRay NewberryCollege Academic&CareerSuccessCoach
AngelaSaxon UniversityofSouthCarolinaAiken CommunicationCoordinator&GraduateStudent
D’AsiaWhite UniversityofSouthCarolina ProgramCoordinatorfortheCollegeofArts&Sciences
Silent Auction Electronic Bid Payment Wearepleasedtoannouncethattheproceedsfromthesilentauction willgodirectlytowardsfundingscholarshipsforwomeninhigher educationatcollegesanduniversitiesthroughoutSouthCarolina.Your contributionswillmakeatangibledifference,providingrecipientswith opportunitiesforprofessionalgrowth.Investintheprofessional developmentofnewprofessionalsandgraduatestudents.
Bidoften.Donatebig!
*Auctionwinnersusinganelectronicpaymentmethodare responsibleforpayingthetotalamountfortheirbidandEventbrite transactioncharges.
