Washtenaw Community College President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca and several other women from WCC attended the Michigan ACE Women’s Network annual conference held in early June in Lansing.
The Michigan ACE Women’s Network provides professional development, networking, mentoring, advocacy and support for women in Michigan’s higher education system.
The theme of this year’s conference was “Move The Needle in Michigan,” a theme which parallels a national initiative which seeks to increase the number of women in senior leadership positions in higher education through programs, research and resources.
Dr. Bellanca participated in a leadership panel discussion which focused on women’s battle for gender parity in the workplace.
Dr. Kimberly Hurns, WCC dean of Business and Computer Technologies, is an executive board member and chair of the organization’s Women of Color Collaborative committee.
Other WCC representation at the conference came from Madelyne Bernhard-Diab, employment services manager at the college’s Harriet Street Center. She gave a presentation on career trajectories and professional development opportunities.
Shana Barker, WCC scholarship and alumni coordinator, and Andrea Hemphill, operations coordinator in the WCC Human Resources Department, led a session which focused on the “Women Of Washtenaw” program – a multi-disciplinary support group of women who hold a variety of roles at the college.
Women of Washtenaw have hosted a variety of events on campus to support women and build a professional network.
By Susan Ferraro, APR
Director of Media Relations