The third annual regional conference will address issues of gender equity and the university.
The Texas Tech University Office of the President will host the Texas Women in Higher Education (TWHE) regional conference from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday (March 5). The conference will be in the Student Union Building and consist of seven TED-style “REDraider Talks” by faculty, staff and students on a variety of topics.
Aliza Wong, associate dean of the Honors College and TWHE board member, said the meeting is an opportunity for women all over West Texas to discuss, inspire, collaborate and envision a more equitable and inclusive educational experience for the entire university community.
“By featuring women who contribute to the diversity, strength and impact of the university from all different facets, with all different talents, we hope to reaffirm our commitment to making the university a safe, supportive and productive space that offers access and opportunity to all constituencies,” Wong said. “These women will share their stories, communicate their concerns and offer their solutions to creating a bigger and better Texas Tech.”
The keynote speaker is Elizabeth Travis, associate vice president for Women Faculty Programs and a Mattie Allen Fair Professor in Cancer Research at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. The address, “Building a Women's Sponsorship Network at Texas Tech University,” will focus on different roles and responsibilities individuals, employers and organizations need to embrace in order to ensure equal access to opportunities for individual women at all stages of their career.
Other presentations include:
- “You're Hired – Oh, April Fools!” by Jessica Carrillo, director of Enrollment and Operations in the Graduate Professional Programs for the Jerry S. Rawls College of Business
- “Let me Play” by Judi Henry, senior associate athletics director and senior woman administrator for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics
- “What's the Staying Power?” by Raegan Higgins, associate professor in the Department of Mathematics & Statistics
- “Words of Wisdom from the Baking Unicorn” by Wendy-Adele Humphrey, associate dean and professor in the School of Law
- “Keep the Cape” by Erin Justyna, director of the Center for Active Learning and Undergraduate Engagement
- “Muslim Daughter of the American Dream” by Farah Mechref, undergraduate Honors College student majoring in biochemistry
- “It's a Dangerous Business, Being a Female Professor” by Kristina Mitchell, director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Political Science
Registration for the event is available online and costs $25. The registration fee includes breakfast, coffee and lunch.
About the Keynote Speaker
As Associate Vice President for women faculty, Travis is a consummate advocate for women and minority faculty. She is committed to furthering the academic careers of these groups by ensuring they are appointed to high-profile committees and leadership positions and are nominated for awards. She also leads institutional policy change to address obstacles that interfere with their success and provide career guidance to women and minority faculty. Travis publishes and speaks extensively on sponsorship as a path to leadership for women and minority faculty.
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