UC Women Lead s First Class Celebrates Success, New Leadership Skills
A diverse group of women learned to lead and innovate during the first year of UC Women Lead, an initiative aimed at training and supporting women leaders in higher education.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the first-ever UC Women Lead cohort celebrated a successful 2014-15 academic year together at a year-end celebration Friday.
Twenty University of Cincinnati women faculty and staff, selected from the largest group of applicants ever to apply for the Universitys Executive Leadership Development Program, spent the academic year building and fine-tuning their leadership skills.
Formerly known as Womens Initiative for Leadership Development (WILD), the program offered new opportunities for participants this year, including career coaching, a service-learning project, op-ed writing instruction and a one-day retreat.
Women in the program not only learned from session leaders, they created bonds that cross disciplinary and institutional boundaries. Those connections, leaders said, can offer an extra layer of support and encouragement when it comes to challenges and opportunities.
I am so proud of the talented women who led and who participated in UC Women Lead, said Provost Beverly Davenport, who created a similar professional development initiative at Purdue University. Now Im looking forward to seeing these female leaders stay connected and step up as opportunities arise for them to take on new roles across the university and the community.
As the year wound to a close, the group reflected on what they learned throughout the year and pledged to continue their work to push their careers forward.
The UC Women Lead cohort has a message for all women at UC: Dont play small. The university needs women to invest in their work and lead with enthusiasm and intelligence.
Robin Martin, UCs associate provost for special initiatives, co-directed the program with Donna Chrobot-Mason, associate professor of psychology and director of the Center for Organizational Leadership.
This years UC Women Lead cohort exemplified the true essence of this great institution, Martin said. For eight months, participants displayed intellectual rigor, an enormous capacity to serve others, and built a lasting community of other strong women. It was truly an honor to co-direct the program this year.
2014-2015 UC Women Lead Participants include:
Faculty:
Cindy Damschroder (ProPEL)
Dawn Kleindorfer (College of Medicine)
Brenda Refaei (UC Blue Ash, Communication)
Florence Rothenberg (College of Medicine)
Sadhna Verma (Radiology)
Rina Williams (College of Arts & Sciences, Politcal Science)
Angie Woods (UC Blue Ash, Spanish)
Lilit Yeghiazarian-Nistor (CEAS)
Mari Robertson (College of Business)
Page Beethem (UC Clermont)
Debbie Tenofsky (UC Libraries)
Staff:
Amy Abafo (UC Clermont, Learning Center)
Thembi Carr (RED)
Jane Combs (UC IT)
Andrea Fitzgerald (Enrollment)
Kelly Lyle (UC Health Center)
Nicole Mayo (Leadership and Engagement)
Josephine Rogers (Academic Studies)
Tracy Kilfoil (Business Manager)
Caroline Alikonis (Graduate School)
Related Stories
Information Security Roadshow spreads awareness
May 3, 2024
The University of Cincinnati's Office of Information Security launched a series of 18 in-person sessions from January to April 2024, drawing nearly 350 attendees from the staff of various UC colleges and units. The Information Security Roadshow series aimed to equip the audience with knowledge on prevailing cyber threats, prevention strategies, how to report incidents and resources to stay informed and secure.
UC alum makes her mark in research, service
May 3, 2024
In 1960, as a young and eager statistician, Joan Reisch graduated from UC’s College of Arts and Sciences, and pursued a career in Texas at the Southwestern Medical Center where she’s held numerous roles as both faculty and staff. This year, Reisch was recognized for her career accomplishments and contributions with the Philanthropist of the Year Award by UC’s Alumni Association. This award is given to an alumnus who has been highly engaged in philanthropic activities with A&S, or has made a significant impact on the college.
UC launches new study of 'forever chemicals' in drinking water
May 2, 2024
The University of Cincinnati is launching a new investigation at its groundwater observatory to examine the ways toxins from distant sources get into drinking water.