Roles of women in higher education

White linen tablecloths and  centerpieces set the tone for this special event. As women from around Minnesota and the surrounding states sat and discussed where they are from,  and how successful the planning committee was for this event, many were appreciative of the group that brought them together. 

This year, SCSU hosted the first Summer Leadership Institute for Women in Higher Education. Thursday in Atwood, 117 students, administrators and faculty gathered to share their views and ideas on the roles that women play in college and university institutions.

“Today is a chance to provide women leaders the opportunity to look at some of the research that has been done on a national scale,” Dr. Jill Abbott, Associate Dean of academic and student services at Minnesota State Community and Technical College, said.

“Also, it is going to be a source of tips and stories of inspiration that we can take back to our institutions to become better leaders for everyone.”

Chatter was ambient during the welcome and continental breakfast, but the room fell silent as the keynote speaker took the stage.

Dr. Sharon McDade, Director of the American Council on Education (ACE), set the theme for the event as she spoke about the professional and career life cycle of women administrators. Describing the struggle as a game of “chutes and ladders.”

Comprised of a multitude of speakers, attendees were given the opportunity to choose between different “breakout sessions” that further explored the impacts on higher education.

Such topics included the “Impact of the Obama Administration on Higher Education,” the “Professional Socialization of Female Administrators,” the “Career Outlook for Women in Higher Education Administration” and the “Impact of the Financial Crisis on Higher Education Institutions.”

Melissa Fahning, who is the Director of Legislative Communications for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, and the speaker of the “Obama Administration” breakout session, gave her input on how higher education is constantly changing.

“It is a different world. We are preparing students for jobs that we don’t even know exist yet,” the speaker said.

“Participation rates, especially for women students, now comprise the majority of students at colleges and universities,” Abbott said.

As reported on the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Web site, SCSU has a percentage of 55.8 percent women and 44.2 percent men.  

Although this is true, there is much more women can do to further diversify women involvement in higher education.

There are many roles that are open to both males and females such as positions in health care, science and engineering, but other areas need to be opened as well.

“Women are still under-represented in areas of leadership and administration, so it is important to keep looking at the issues and how we can make our organizations better in order to encourage a diverse leadership profile,” Abbott said.

Closing out the day on a sweet note, a dessert reception played host to a presentation called “A Voice of Our Own: The Professional Life of a Female Administrator.”
Dr. Kathryn A. Martin, Dr. Rita Knuesel, Dr. Wanda Overland and Luanne Kane made up this panel of presenters as they discussed the issues related to the life cycle of women in higher education.

“If you never reach, you will never be able to get there. There isn’t always a straight path, so keep that in mind,” Dr. Diana Lawson, Dean of the G.R. Herberger College of Business at SCSU said.