HERStories
The HERS Newsletter for Alums & Friends
Fall 2023
Volume 1, Issue 2:
A Turning Point for HERS: The Next 50 Years In this issue of HERStories, you will find: - Updates from Dr. Gloria Thomas in her “Letter from the President” - HERS alum features - Programming updates - Fundraising updates and donor profiles of those who share their time, talent, and treasure with HERS We hope you enjoy! Stay tuned for more ways to get involved and connect with HERS.
Our goal is to continue to bring you more in-depth HERS content, with a focus on featuring our amazing HERS alums, donors, and friends, both through future editions of this newsletter as well as our recurring electronic updates. Thank you to those of you who shared your feedback on our first issue. Please keep sharing your thoughts so we can continue to bring you the content you are most interested in.
– The HERS Team
MESSAGE from the PRESIDENT
Left to right - Naomi Lumutenga, Judith White (HERS President 2005-2018), and Margaret Loy Khaitsa, pictured in October 2019.
This academic year, 2023 - 2024, marks a true turning point for HERS. We have emerged from our milestone 50th anniversary year, and we’re now in the throes of moving on to the next 50 years for the organization and its constituency. Worth noting here are all the fabulous celebrations that were hosted by HERS alums at their institutions during the 2022-2023 50th anniversary academic year, including: University of Pittsburgh (PA); Bridgewater State University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (MA); American University (DC); University of Denver and Colorado State University (CO); University of Cincinnati and The Ohio State University-Columbus (OH); Oakland University and Wayne State University (MI); and Washington State University-Pullman (WA).
Gloria D. Thomas, Ph.D. HERS President
The 50th anniversary reception at WSU-Pullman is an indicator of where HERS is aiming in the coming years. As noted by the locations of the HERS alum-sponsored receptions, most of our constituency is Colorado and eastward. In the coming years, we plan to make our in-person programs more accessible to women and gender-diverse leaders on the West Coast as well.
“There isn't a more exciting time than now to be a part of HERS. ”
Location changes on the horizon are one of many turning points for HERS. The curriculum of the HERS Leadership Institute (HLI) continues to evolve to center even more of an equity lens than ever before. The HERS staff is almost completely new. Six new Directors on the HERS Board have started this fall. Several new programs have been added to the line-up of leadership development explorations. And now there is a dedicated staff member overseeing HERS Network outreach and engagement, leading to increased opportunities for HERS alums, friends, and supporters to get involved with and connected to the HERS Network.
There isn’t a more exciting time than now to be a part of HERS. We welcome your input, ideas, and efforts to help advance the HERS mission of creating and sustaining a diverse community of women and gender-diverse leaders who serve as bold agents of inclusive and equitable change for higher education. Onward...
Gloria D. Thomas, Ph.D. HERS President
2 HERStories
HERS Alums Extend the Impact to HERS-East Africa and Celebrate 10 Years According to McKinsey’s gender parity equity (GPE) report, Africa’s gender parity stands at 0.58 (1 is full parity). Without drastic action, it could take 140 years to achieve full parity (GPE, 2022). In Africa, girls are at risk of being left behind; millions are not in school now, and 4 million may never set foot in a classroom (GPE, 2022), yet advancing women’s equality could add 10% to GDP, or $316 billion, to the African economy by 2025 (GPE, 2022). Uganda natives and HERS alums Naomi Lumutenga, Executive Director of HERSEast Africa (HERS-EA), and Margaret Loy Khaitsa, Professor of Veterinary Epidemiology at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University and Chair of the Board of HERS-EA, are looking to change that. HERS-EA is an inclusive non-profit organization that was incorporated in Uganda in 2014 with support from many allies. It is a sister organization to HERS and currently operates in 7 countries—Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan. The focus of HERS-EA, run solely by volunteers, is preparing women in higher education for leadership and administrative roles. To date, HERS-EA has prepared over 160 women for institutional leadership roles, many of whom are thriving and utilizing leadership and career-mapping skills and networks gained during the weeklong HERS-EA Academies. HERS-EA grew out of leadership projects by co-founders Margaret Khaitsa and Naomi Lumutenga that were started and developed during HERS Leadership Institutes in Denver
in 2011 and 2015. While HERS-EA retains HERS’ core leadership themes of institutional awareness, personal development and networking, the HERS-EA curriculum has been uniquely developed around an innovative multitier model to meet the needs of women in East Africa. The model addresses the needs of women executives, including researchers; women in leadership in other educational institutions; returning learners—women who dropped out of formal education but wish to return; and grassroots women without prior exposure to formal education who need skills to support their families and their daughters’ education. The model develops research skills through collaborative work and connects women researchers with under-researched issues pertaining to women. For example, one factor that has been identified as a barrier to girls’ and women’s advancement in education and participation in economic activities is lack of access to menstrual hygiene products. The issue was illuminated through multidisciplinary faculty-led research that engaged schoolgirls and grassroots women in producing an affordable reusable HERSpad and through two peer reviewed publications. The multitier model illustrates how engaged scholarship can benefit all stakeholders. HERS-EA has presented at each annual Engagement Scholarship Consortium conference in the US since 2017, the year they won the best poster award. The multi-tier model has earned HERSEA recognition, culminating in an invitation to submit a book proposal to
be published by international academic publisher, the Peter Lang Group. The book project is entitled Reimagining Women Leadership Through Inclusive Community Engagement: HERS-East Africa and was the impetus for HERS-EA being selected to receive the Excellence in Community Partner Engagement Award, presented in October 2023 at the Engagement Scholarship Consortium International Conference at Michigan State University. As part of its 10th anniversary celebration in summer 2024, HERS-EA has organized a Partnership Tour and extended a special invitation to HERS alumnae from the US. The tour will include opportunities to experience HERS-EA activities, including a possible visit to a refugee camp as well as other educational outings. An opportunity for HERS alums in the U.S. to Visit East Africa—why HERS alums should participate: There will be many benefits to you and your institution, including visits to three universities and access to over 50 potential research- and grant-writing partners from about 15 institutions during the HERS-EA Academy and other events. There will be opportunities to co-lead Academy sessions and to present your institution’s collaborative areas of interest. You can leave with draft plans for joint institutional activities, study tours and faculty exchanges that will enable you to grow your engaged scholarship research and service-learning profile as well as enhance your own legacy. The itinerary includes cultural and scholarly experiences, capacity development activities, relaxation and fun. For more information about the cost and for a draft itinerary, please email info@hersea.org. FALL 2023 3
Banner Fundraising Year for 2023 HERS Leadership Institute Cohorts
Programming Update HLI News At the close of the summer, we welcomed 201 new leaders into our HERS Leadership Institute (HLI) Alum Network. 68 leaders graduated in March from the Weekend HLI. 59 leaders graduated from the June HLI, which was held for the first time on the campus of Bridgewater State University—a campus with historical significance to HERS since one of HERS’s longtime champions, Dr. Adrian Tinsley, served as BSU’s first woman President from 1989-2002. 74 leaders graduated from the July HLI.
What’s new in HERS program offerings? Team Registration for Equity-Minded Leadership: Centering Racial Equity This 4-part virtual program is underway with a total of sixty participants. For the first time, HERS encouraged institutional teams to register for a discounted program fee so that they could collaborate on creating and implementing cross-functional racialequity action plans. Nine teams in total registered for this new opportunity! Executive Coaching Circles In partnership with Academic Search, Inc, HERS has launched nine Executive Coaching Circles that will 4 HERStories
meet monthly over the course of this academic year. Each circle is comprised of 6-8 participants who share similar roles and responsibilities at their different institutions. This model makes executive coaching affordable and offers participants not only valuable insights from a certified coach, but the mentorship and support of peers. Leading from the Middle: Critical Concepts and Strategies for New Administrators and Managers in Higher Education We have designed a program to help new managers and administrators in higher ed build their skills and leadership capacity. This five-part virtual program starts in the middle of October and helps participants take a deep dive into leading teams, motivating high performance, and managing and resolving conflict. If you are a new department chair, manager, or director—this program is for you! New location for the 23-24 Weekend HLI
Registration for the following programs is now open! We are accepting applications for the 2024 Summer HLIs! We will be hosting the June ‘24 HLI in Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania and will return to the University of Denver for our July ‘24 HLI.
This year, the HERS Leadership Institute (HLI) cohorts Banfield, Michelle DallaPiazza, Pamela Epley (L-R, front raised significant funds to support scholarships for row): Rachel Steck, Emily Acevedo, Jaya Satagopan, leaders from underrepresented institutions to attend Adrienne Dixson, Kim Williams, Miranda Giurleo, Paaige the HLI. Congratulations to the 2023 HLI Advancement Turner, and Kate Nooner (not pictured). Committees, who each did an excellent job engaging • The July 2023 Denver cohort has raised an impressive their cohort members and modeling the act of paying $14,428, sharing meaningful and inspiring stories it forward to others who, though deserving, lack the about how scholarships will help overcome financial institutional resources to attend leadership and professional challenges for future participants. development programs like HLI. Thank you to everyone The generosity of each HLI participant is helping to fulfill who contributed on behalf of your cohort to support the HERS’ priorities of opening access for new leaders by HERS Scholarship Fund! reducing the financial barrier to attend an HLI; enhancing Fundraising highlights from this year include: representation among women and gender-diverse • The 2022-2023 Boston Weekend HLI cohort has leaders; and making a positive impact by contributing to a raised $9,670. Their efforts included dedicating time more inclusive and diverse leadership landscape in higher to explain to cohort members the campaign’s goals education. and beneficiaries. This upcoming National Day of Giving, Giving Tuesday, •
The June 2023 Bridgewater State University cohort has raised $12,621 and established a $1,000 Giving Club, with each of its participants pledging $1,000 for the year. They also hosted a fun evening at a local pizza parlor, with proceeds going to HERS. Thanks to members of the $1,000 Giving Club: (L-R, back row): Wendy Champagnie Williams, Joan Collier, Krystal
November 28, 2023 – we invite HERS friends, alums, and supporters to contribute to the funding priorities of HERS, chief among which is making HERS more accessible to leaders from all institution types, particularly colleges and universities without the professional development resources to fund leaders to attend HLI. To donate, visit our website.
Are you considering taking the next step in your career and participating in executive searches? Register for our popular Next Stages, Next Steps January 2024 program—a program co-facilitated by Academic Search, Inc. and designed to help women and gender-diverse leaders confidently and successfully navigate the executive search process in higher ed.
201
new HERS Leadership Institute Alums
For the first time, HERS is hosting the Weekend HLI on the retreat-like grounds of Airlie in Warrenton, VA. Our first weekend at the end of September was a huge success, and participants raved about not only the empowering curriculum, but also Airlie’s delicious food, stellar service, and serene, welcoming environment. FALL 2023 5
In “Why I Give,” HERS alums, donors, and friends share their thoughts on why they give back to HERS, and the impact HERS has had on their lives and careers.
NAME: BRONTÉ BURLEIGH-JONES, Ph.D. Title: CFO, Vice President and Treasurer at American University HERS affiliation: HERS alum, 2008-09 Weekend HLI at Wellesley College, HERS faculty facilitator, HERS Board of Directors, HERS Board Director Emerit
→ WHY I GIVE: BRONTÉ BURLEIGH-JONES Bronté Burleigh-Jones is among a distinguished group of HERS alums who have extensively engaged with the organization through gifts of time, expertise, and ongoing financial support. Bronté’s relationship with HERS began as a program participant, and she has been unwavering in her commitment to HERS ever since.
Best Practices for Finding an Executive Coach Higher education professionals often enlist the help of an executive coach to enhance their leadership capacities for their current role, envision new leadership opportunities, or help refine a path to a new position, even a new career. We asked three HERS alums who offer executive coaching services to outline best practices when looking for a coach: Bethany Zecher Sutton, a leadership coach based in Arlington, VA, who specializes in supporting women in higher education, says, “The No. 1 thing to look for is a good fit. The sense of connection you have with the person.” She added, “It’s really about what you’re looking for, in terms of outcome, from the coaching relationship. I often say to people it’s a lot like looking for a doctor or a therapist. You should talk to a couple of people. Sometimes it clicks right away, and sometimes it doesn’t, but hopefully you grow together in the relationship.” Dorine Lawrence-Hughes, a 2015 HLI alum and founder and lead consultant 6 HERStories
for Brazen Communication, a coaching and consulting firm based in Ann Arbor, MI, said: “Anyone looking for a coach should consider style and approach. Some want someone who’s more of a cheerleader. Other people need someone to help them ask the hard questions, who will really help them do some deep digging. Some want a coach for a more transactional purpose, for a very specific goal they want to achieve. Others to help them think through or navigate personal and professional challenges.” Francine Crystal, a 2003 HLI alum and President of Crystal Clear Consulting, a coaching firm based in Concord, MA, shared that “a coach needs to be a good listener, to ask good questions, to be able to reflect back behaviors and give feedback and to help expand perspectives and options. A coach needs to be supportive and non-judgmental, but able to point out when a client is not holding themselves accountable for their
stated goals and current behaviors.” All three concurred that other things to look for in a potential executive coach include experience and qualifications. The gold standard in the coaching world, according to Zecher Sutton, is certification from the International Coaching Federation (ICF)—the primary accrediting organization for executive coaches. “The certification means you’ve been trained in a certain program and have achieved some markers. For instance, to get to the initial level, associate certified coach, you need to have completed an accredited 60-hour coaching program and have done at least 100 hours of coaching,” she said. HERS is developing a new service, aptly called Coaching Connection, to help connect members of our network with executive coaches. HERS is in the process of curating a list of executive coaches to serve as a resource for the HERS Network. Be on the lookout for this service, which we expect to launch soon.
Bronté attended the Weekend HERS Leadership Institute (WHLI) at Wellesley College in 2008 and 2009, when she was Treasurer and Chief Operating Officer at St. John’s College (MD) and the U.S. economic recession was looming. During the WHLI, members of the cohort expressed an interest in learning about the potential impact of the recession on their institutions. Bronté was tapped to lead that discussion and was invited to present on budget and finance for her cohort. Thus began Bronté’s role as a HERS faculty facilitator. That was only the beginning. According to Bronté, “Once HERS got a hold of me, [HERS] didn’t let me go. HERS had her hooks in me!” However, the relationship was of mutual benefit. Bronté shared that HERS helped her discover a talent for communicating financial topics, and it has been an honor to share her talent with other HERS participants as they seek to comprehend this critical leadership competency. Bronté explains, “Finance is typically a gatekeeper component in a leader’s trajectory. If you don’t understand how the money moves, you’re going to stunt your development and opportunities.” In 2012, Bronté joined the HERS Board of Directors, where she served a total of 9 years. During her service on the Board, Bronté chaired the Finance & Investment Committee and served as both Treasurer and Chair of the Board. She continues to give generously to HERS simply because she loves the organization. She doesn’t hesitate to exclaim, “I love HERS!” Bronté affirms that HERS is essential to advancing women’s careers. “Women don’t always have the same kinds of support
“
that men [have] when it comes to navigating your career. HERS has been good to me. I have developed life-long friends as a result of HERS. As I’ve made transitions in my career, the contacts I’ve made through HERS have been…readily available resources to me. I know first-hand the difference that can make, and I am one of those people [who] believes that you always reach back. For every step I go higher, I’m reaching back and trying to bring others along.” She believes that without HERS, many women leaders would have neither the competence to lead nor the extensive network connections HERS facilitates. “HERS is a network of leaders. Women are attracted to HERS because they have aspirations to lead. When they get to the HLI, they get to talk to and engage with thought leaders across the spectrum of the academy. There is a freedom of being in the room with women. You don’t have to pretend…You don’t have to try to convince other people what you know. You can just be yourself.” Regarding the future of HERS and its impact on higher education, Bronté posits, “In a world of changing demographics, emotional intelligence is going to become a very significant competency for higher education leaders going forward. HERS helps to nurture and develop some of that.” Further, she states, “the HERS curriculum will continue to evolve to reflect the needed changes…I trust HERS to be on the front end of preparing leaders for the changes and challenges ahead.” To recognize her ongoing support of and commitment to HERS, Bronté Burleigh-Jones was elected Director Emeritus in June 2023 by the HERS Board of Directors. Finally, don’t be surprised to see Bronté’s smiling face and words of wisdom included in materials for “The Next 50 Years: HERS Campaign for Excellence, Access & Equity.” She has agreed to serve as an advisor for the campaign.
For every step I go higher, I’m reaching back and trying to bring others along Bronté Burleigh-Jones
FALL 2023 7
→ Meet the HERS staff Gloria Thomas, Ph.D. President
Tracey Bedford, M.B.A. Business Officer
Shannon Lundeen, Ph.D. Vice President for Programs and Operations
Lauren Inman, M.Ed. Instructional Designer and CRM Specialist
Michelle Karas, B.A. Executive Assistant to the President, Board Relations Coordinator, Office Manager
Alicia Olivares Kirkeby, M.A. Sr. Associate Director of Outreach and Engagement
Charlene Emory-Proctor, M.A. Assistant Director of Programs
Update your contact record Started a new job since you participated with HERS? Recently moved? Let us know through this short form so we can update our records.
Lindsey Templeton, Ph.D. Associate Director of Programs and Research Felicia McGinty, Ed.D. Director of Outreach and Engagement
Upcoming deadlines!
Save the Date
→ NEXT STAGES NEXT STEPS
→ HERS Alums Meet Authors Book Talks
Deadline: November 28
→ HERS LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE Early deadline: November 17 (save $500!) Regular deadline: February 23
Doing the Right Thing: How Colleges and Universities Can Undo Systemic Racism in Faculty Hiring November 14, 2023 2:00-3:00 pm (MT) | Virtual Dear Department Chair: Letters from Black Women Leaders to the Next Generation February 22, 2024 2:00-3:00 pm (MT) | Virtual
→ Have questions about these or other HERS programs? Email us at HERS@hersnetwork.org and we’d be happy to talk more!
HERStories, Fall 2023 issue HERS The Chambers Center 1901 E. Asbury Ave., Suite 220 Denver, CO 80208 HERS@HERSNetwork.org hersnetwork.org