Charging Ahead: Women’s Leadership in Higher Education

Afternoon Keynote 3:00-3:45 PM

Charging Ahead: Women’s Leadership in Higher Education

 In higher education, women leaders continue to face significant challenges in male-dominated spaces. This session, led by Colby-Sawyer College’s Academic Vice President, Eden Wales, and Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing, Valerie Leclair, explores the experiences confronted by women leaders in higher education and offers actionable strategies to overcome gender-based barriers to success.
   
The session will begin with a discussion of the systemic challenges women face in higher education, including gender biases, limited representation, and the dynamics of power within male-centric environments. Participants will be invited to share their own experiences, fostering a collaborative atmosphere that encourages open dialogue and mutual support.
   
Dr. Wales and Ms. Leclair will then present case studies from their respective fields, highlighting innovative initiatives and programs that have successfully promoted diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging. The presenters will emphasize the importance of mentorship, sponsorship, networking, and advocacy in cultivating a supportive ecosystem for women in higher education. Attendees will leave with practical tools and strategies to navigate challenges, including techniques for effective communication, negotiation, and resilience in the face of adversity.
 

The session aims to empower women by reinforcing the notion that their voices are vital in shaping the future of higher education. By fostering a community of support and sharing insights from their journeys, Dr. Wales and Ms. Leclair will empower attendees with tools to break down barriers and advocate for women’s equity at their own institutions.

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify Barriers: Participants will be able to identify and articulate the specific challenges and barriers women face in higher education, fostering a deeper understanding of the systemic issues at play in both academics and athletics.

  • Develop Strategies: Attendees will learn and develop strategies for overcoming these barriers, including effective communication techniques, advocacy approaches, and methods for building supportive networks and mentorship and sponsorship opportunities.

  • Cultivate Resilience: Participants will explore tools and mindsets to cultivate resilience and confidence, empowering them to navigate their own leadership journeys and to advocate for gender equity at their respective institutions.



 

Dr. Eden Wales

Eden Wales, PhD is Academic Vice President, Dean of Faculty, and Professor of Arts and Sciences at Colby-Sawyer College. Previously, she served as Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of Faculty, and Professor of English at Clarke University (IA); Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor at Saint Mary’s University (MN); and Dean of Communication, Literature, and Arts at Mount Mercy University (IA), where she became a tenured English professor. Dr. Wales is an accomplished teacher-scholar, whose pedagogical excellence has been recognized through teaching awards. Her book, Reading Testimony, Witnessing Trauma, won the Eudora Welty Prize for its innovative approach to literature and gender. She regularly offers public lectures and workshops and has served on multiple boards.


Valerie Leclair

Valerie Leclair, MS is Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing at Colby-Sawyer College. Previously, she served as the Executive Director of Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions at Rivier University; Director of Admissions at Hesser College; and Director of Admissions at the Salter School. Ms. Leclair has over 20 years of experience in higher education enrollment and is tasked with designing and implementing a holistic strategic plan for Colby-Sayer’s long-term enrollment success.