This month the Woman Issues Now (WIN) group at Grand Rapids Community College will host the first Women in Leadership Summit conference featuring 22 female Michigan leaders.
The Oct. 14 summit is open to the public and students are encouraged to attend the event that will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in 108 Sneden Hall. Four different panel discussions will happen throughout the day, along with two breakout sessions, with lunch and dinner being provided as well.
Ross Pike, president of WIN, said, “It’s important that students know that they were welcome to come and go from the event in order to work around their schedule.”
The first panel discussion runs from 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. and is titled “Leadership is Diverse, Sometimes Barriers Must be Broken.” State Board of Education member Lupe Ramos-Montigny, GRCC Board Trustee Deb Bailey and the GRCC Police Chief Rebecca Whitman are just a few on the roster for the first panel discussion.
The second panel will feature five public officials in Grand Rapids and runs from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. State Representative Winnie Brinks, Kent County Clerk Mary Hollinrake and District Court Judge Sara J. Smolenski are some set to speak during this hour.
After lunch from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., which will be provided by Patata’s and campus dining, two breakout sessions on topics ranging from Planned Parenthood to the Affordable Care Act will happen back to back.
Following the breakout sessions, a panel discussion about Civil Engagement will happen from 3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m. Women involved in politics will speak during this time. State Senator Rebekah Warren and Kelly Mitchell, Vice Chair of the Michigan Republican Party are just a few set to speak during this time.
The last discussion, entitled “Women in Education” will go from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. This session will host GRCC professors and others involved in the educational system including: Mathematics Professor Nancy Forrest, English Professor Mursalata Muhammad, and Tina Hoxie, Dean of Student Affairs.
To conclude the day, a dinner will be provided. During dinner the panelists will share their closing remarks, a short video will be shown and WIN will give out Outstanding Achievement
Many organizations are using this event to network with students at GRCC. Woman in Leadership Summit is “empowering our community and fellow students” said Arielle Brown, president of Black Student Union.
Register for this event at 2013WLS.eventbrite.com. Tickets are available through the day of the event and at the door, but in order to receive a lanyard and name-tag, registration must be complete by Wednesday. General admission is $20, NOW GR members pay $15 and GRCC students can attend for $10.
