Women’s Leadership Council

Ashley Booth, a graduate student and Women’s Leadership Council mentor, is pictured with mentees Sarah Roberts (center) and Morgan Meinicke.

WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP COUNCIL CONTINUES TO GROW

Established in 2020, the SIU Foundation Women’s Leadership Council grew significantly in the past fiscal year. The vision of the Women’s Leadership Council is to facilitate the connection of students with successful women mentors to align classroom learning with real-life experiences, develop leadership skills, network, and explore career paths after college. The goals of the council are as follows:

• Facilitate professional growth, development, and confidence of mentees • Provide an avenue for women to develop and demonstrate leadership abilities • Provide networking opportunities to enhance teamwork, professional insight, coaching, development, and realization of the value of women’s contributions to SIU Carbondale and future organizations • Create lifelong donors focused on contributing to the sustainability to SIU Carbondale

In October 2021, the council hosted its first mentorship pilot breakfast, featuring 14 students and nine mentors.

Dawn Korte, co-chair of the Women’s Leadership Council, said she regards mentorship programs as a critical tool for success in life.

“Personally, I believe mentorship provides one of the greatest ways to influence the future and strengthen an organization, a university, and the community as a whole,” she said. “As a mentor, you can instill confidence and build sustainable relationships. Everyone has something to share.”

The impact has been immediately apparent to the students who have gotten involved.

“Every moment is an opportunity. It’s important to learn and hear women’s experiences,” Kate Held, an SIU student and Women’s Leadership Council mentee. “It’s great to have multiple generations of Salukis coming together.”

Angel Sanders, who is also a student mentee, said it has been vital to have support from successful Saluki alumnae.

“There’s a family dynamic,” she said. “My mentor, regardless of what I told her, was always understanding.”

Being a member of the Women’s Leadership Council has allowed Dr. Kelly Higgins to guide female students as they navigate major life decisions.

“Talking to a mentor really helps you put things in perspective, and it helps you realize you don’t have to have all the answers,” she said.

Fellow mentor Diane Compardo noted the importance of being accessible and willing to show female students how they can grow into the person they want to become.