University Women to Hold Leadership Conference

10/23/2018 

Women leaders from throughout the region will share their experiences at SUNY Cortland Saturday, Oct. 27, at a district conference sponsored by the Cortland Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW).

Members of the public, including high school and college students, are invited to attend the 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. event in Corey Union Exhibition Lounge. A registration fee covers the cost of a continental breakfast and lunch. There is a reduced fee for students.  

The Conference theme is "Women and Leadership." The speakers are local women — including many from SUNY Cortland — who provide outstanding leadership in their respective fields.   

Since its founding in 1881, AAUW has worked to help carve a path for women to find their niche in fields in which they could not formerly tread. The conference will examine several critical areas where women are providing leadership in the region and will attempt to determine how best to keep AAUW relevant and effective today. 

The conference schedule include the following panels:

“Civics 101”: Civics and Political Leadership  

Panelists: Meaghan Palmer, Morrisville High School civics teacher; Ryann Hudson, intern with the SUNY Cortland Institute for Civic Engagement (ICE); Kelly Preston, Cortland County legislator

Sustainability and Environmental Leadership 

Panelists: Maryfaith Miller, founder/director Lime Hollow Forest Preschool; Kat McCarthy, executive director Cultural Council of Cortland County, former Tompkins County waste reduction and recycling specialist; Theresa Baker, director of food services, SUNY Cortland; Sharon Todd, chair, Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies Department, SUNY Cortland

STEM Leadership 

Panelists: Janet Ochs, SUNY Cortland/Tech Savvy Mentoring Project; Kim Blanchet, interim dean/director instructional design, Onondaga Community College; Jolie Roat, Math Department, SUNY Cortland

Leading a Multifaceted Approach to Confronting Sexual Violence on Campus

Speaker: Nanette Pasquarello, Title IX coordinator, SUNY Cortland

From 2:30 to 4 p.m., there will be a Start Smart (salary negotiation) workshop for college students lead by Meredith Morell, SUNY Cortland career counselor. More about AAUW's Start Smart workshop can be found online.

Conference sponsors include the AAUW Cortland Branch; AAUW NYS; SUNY Cortland President’s Office; SUNY Cortland Center for Gender and Intercultural Studies; and SUNY Cortland Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Committee. 

For further information about the conference and to register, call 607-756-8191 or email scohen3@twcny.rr.com.