| OCR Text |
Show page 14 leSSOIlS, Fall/Winter 2002 Gender Differences, Leadership Opportunities BY AMBER NIELSEN The debate over whether women on campus are being given the same opportunities as men can be a sticky subject to dive into. In today's world, women are leading multi-billion dollar companies, they are working in factories, and they are doing it because they are gaining skills and experience that were never offered to women before now. But where do women acquire the skills needed for these types of careers? What types of classes or seminars can prepare a woman to enter a predominantly male workforce? What experience will enable her to "get her foot in the door," so she can compete for jobs with other women and men? Students at the University of Utah can gain vital skills and experience to help them in their future careers by attending or participating in leadership positions and seminars. For example, on the University's Web site, a link may be accessed that takes its viewer to a page listing leadership opportunities at the U (www.sa.utah.edu/leadership/). On this page, there is a lot of information about numerous leadership positions, various leadership courses and leadership seminars. Obviously there are leadership opportunities available, but the question remains: Are women attending the U given the same opportunities to develop leadership skills as men? Barb Snyder, the vice president for student affairs, believes they are. "In fact, at the undergraduate level, there is almost an equal amount of female and male membership," she said. "More women are running for "More women are running for student-body office -positions, and I hope we continue to move in these trends to encourage leadership development." student-body office positions, and I hope we continue to move in these trends to encourage leadership development." The administration has a expressed a desire to help women gain experience in leadership positions. Measures are being taken to improve the leadership opportunities available to women on campus. "President Machen has made a commitment to create a climate for women to exercise their leadership skills," Snyder said. Other areas of the University are beginning to realize the importance of giving women opportunities for leadership development. JoAnn Lighty, associate dean of ______________ the College of Engineering, recently helped write a grant for the National Science Foundation, called ADVANCE. The five-year grant, if funded, will increase the number of women and their visibility in the field of science. The grant would also include a mentoring program aimed for women. "In the engineering department, there are only 10 to 11 women in a faculty of 130, and only ______________ one or two female students can be found in almost any classroom," Lighty said. Lighty also pointed out support of the grant from different areas of the University. "There has been a lot of support from the administration," she said. Lighty went on to tell of numerous letters of support that came from individuals such as President Machen, numerous vice presidents in different research areas, the dean of the Graduate School and the associate vice president of diversity. With this kind of support on campus, women will be able to better develop and participate in leadership opportunities in the future. Lighty hopes the National Science Foundation will vote in favor of funding the grant. "If ADVANCE is funded, women at the U will be given |
