MI-ACE Women’s Network Institutional Representative (IR)
2014 Annual Report
Highlights of 2014 Campus Activities
Please describe the programming you have sponsored on your campus during the past year (e.g., workshops,
luncheons, or special activities) as well as how you educated women on your campus about the Network’s Public
Policy Agenda. Please be sure to estimate the number of people in attendance and their assessment of the activity.
Olivet College
Following programs have taken place for the 2013-14 Academic year:
ALT Sexual Assault Prevention Education: 280; Sex Signals: 260; Jim Martin with International Justice
Mission: 83; Women of Color Luncheon: 56; Take Back The Night: 32; Clothesline Project: NA.
Madonna University
Both IRs for Madonna University participated in Women in History Month activities on our campus in
March. We served as panelists for Women in Higher Education panel, introduced ourselves as the MIACE IRs, and spoke about the goal of the organization. The public policy agenda items of MI-ACE were
discussed throughout the panel presentation, including: 1. Advancement and Support for Women
Professionals, 2. Changing Demographics – Access and Opportunity in Higher Education, 3. Funding for
Programs that Impact Girls and Women, 4. Cost and Funding Issues in Higher Education. Approximately
75 persons attended this presentation. We also met individually and in small groups with women after the
panel to further discuss these issues. Overall, about 100 persons were impacted by this event.
Baker College of Muskegon
A professional development session was scheduled in spring 2014 with staff and faculty to introduce
participants to the work of the Network and the annual conference. This casual afternoon “tea” style
conversation was hosted by the fireplace in the Library allowing for a discussion on the benefits of the Network
to promote professional development among and advancement of women in higher education. Faculty who
attended the session were able to count attendance toward required quarterly professional development hours.
The professional development session was titled, “MI-ACE Network for Women Leaders in Higher Education.”
Michigan State University
Since this was my first year as an IR and due to campus issues (Title IX), I was not able to provide specific
education to women on campus regarding the Network’s Public Policy Agenda. I did attend the orientation
session for IRs (which I understand may be a new orientation for IRs, which I found very valuable.
Ferris State University
Since I had no prior involvement with the Network before becoming an IR, this was largely an observation year
for me. I have some ideas for programming this next year, and I have also talked with our head of HR about
working with a soon-to-be-formed staff development center on some shared programming. I was very pleased
to see how many Ferris women attended the annual conference this year since I think it was several more than
in past years, and I hope these women might form the core of a new women’s group on campus. In August, I
plan to coordinate a lunch meeting of some of the women in leadership positions on campus and women who
attended the conference to initiate discussion of future regularly organized activities centered around women’s
issues, mentoring, support, and personal/professional development opportunities. Diversity mini grants from
the Office of Diversity and Inclusion might help fund future events.
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Northwood University
October 16th, 2013: 34 attendees
"You Can't Always Get What You Want, But If You Use This Skill, You Just Might Find, You Get What
You Need." This interactive, fun, basic negotiation seminar is designed to enhance participants' effectiveness in
working with students and everyone else."
Guest Speaker: Professor Nancy Wonch, Certified Specialist in Civil Litigation teaching Personal
Responsibility, mediation and Negotiation at Thomas M. Cooley Law School
November 13, 2013: 43 attendees
“Networking through Social Media”
Do you have a LinkedIn account but have no idea what to do with it? Are you posting things to be seen or are you
adding value to your target audience? Are you communicating with others and building relationships or just adding
contacts? Join us along with Beth Bryce, as she clears up the questions or misconceptions about LinkedIn and
Twitter and addresses the guidelines of using them on a professional basis. There will be ample time at the end of
the session for Q & A and chance for the attendees to share their experience of what did and didn’t work for them.
Guest Speaker: Beth Bryce, Director of Career Services
December 9th 2013: 35 attendees
Holiday Lunch: Lunch with entertainment designed to inspire networking among Northwood University
women.
Host: Nancy Barker (MI-ACE Executive Board Member)
January 22nd, 2014: 22 attendees
“Exploring Tips & Tricks in Microsoft Outlook”
Are you making the most of your Outlook capabilities? Don’t miss this opportunity to get a “crash course” in
Outlook and start working with your most useful tool more efficiently that afternoon! This month’s MindPrime
session is dedicated to exploring the tips and tricks of Microsoft Outlook. Northwood’s Blackboard Coordinator,
Jeanna Cronk, will be sharing her proven strategies for getting your inbox under control and keeping it that way!
Join us in discovering new and faster ways to work in Outlook.
Guest Speaker: Jeanna Cronk, Blackboard Coordinator/Northwood University
February 19th, 2014: 30 attendees
“Body Language”
So you may have a poker face, but what is your body language giving away? Research on body language reveals
that we can change other people’s perceptions…even our own body chemistry simply by changing body positions.
Don’t miss this opportunity when MindPrime presents a Ted Talk Segment on body language presented by Amy
Cuddy, Social Psychologist.
Hosted/Facilitated: Northwood University MindPrime Committee
March 12th, 2014: 27 attendees
“Charting Your Course: A Financial Guide for Women”
• Basic retirement saving skills
• How to create a retirement saving plan
• Evaluate your financial health and set goals
• How to help make your money work harder
• Option to set up a time for one on one advising
Guest Speaker: Jenny Uhlar, Financial Consultant, TIAA-CREF
May 5th and 6th: 21 attendees
Women’s Build-Habitat for Humanity.
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Women of Northwood University volunteered for a ½ day to help build a house for a local family.
We also were lucky to have one of our J1 scholars participate in our event.
Baker College of Clinton Township
There were no activities for 2013-2014. For 2014-2015 we will implement activities for women on our campus.
North Central Michigan College
We held out first ever On Course for Your Career event this past April at North Central Michigan College as a
result of Chris Hammond, Dean of Instruction and Mi-Ace Executive Board Member, supporting myself and
other IR rep., Samantha McLin to use our inspiration from Mi-Ace towards a collaborative effort on our
campus.
This event involved a half day conference for graduating women (also open to male students) at North Central
Michigan College. Focus on the event was to highlight skills necessary in the workplace for successfully
finding a job. The collective thought was that our professional women at our college do receive support and
recognition to strengthen our skills and opportunities to showcase our strengths; we wanted to provide a similar
opportunity for our students.
Our support from the local business sector was impressive to say the least. We had major businesses/hiring
identities focused in an expo style arrangement, featuring instruction on filling out job applications, resume
creation, interviewing skills, time management, etc.
A working wardrobe demonstration all sponsored by local retailers was part of the agenda, in addition to an
inspirational message given by a successful woman in business completing her dissertation. A business
etiquette lesson while participants dined completed the afternoon.
This event was seen as such a success, that it was determined we will continue with it next year, making this an
annual staple of NCMC!
Lawrence Technological University
The Provost and IRs planned to host an informational luncheon in April 2014 to introduce women
administrators, faculty, and staff to MI-ACE (a separate event for women graduate students was also discussed).
However, it was decided it would be more valuable to first fully brief the Provost and IRs on the organization.
With the kind assistance of Deb Bloom, IR coordinator, we were able to invite the Michigan ACE Coordinator
(Dr. Lynette Findley) and an IR from a similar, small private University (Dr. Linda Logan, Olivet College) to
campus on 28 APRIL 2014 to speak to us about the resources and opportunities available through our MI-ACE
membership and to provide examples of what other similar Universities are doing. This proved to be a very
valuable meeting/lunch for LTU! During the meeting, Provost Vaz committed to hosting a future annual Young
Women/Strong Leaders (YW/SL) conference.
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
In December I co-hosted a workshop with the Women in Student Affairs group (based out of the NASPA
professional association). The invitation was sent to the WISA and WCTF email groups along with my personal
network. Approximately 20 attendees participated with very positive feedback about the session. Just recently
(6/13) I received a request from an attendee to share the materials presented. The session description is below:
December WISA Meeting – 12/20/13:
Professional Development - Onward and Upward!
Come learn about professional development opportunities in Michigan, with a special focus on the Michigan
ACE Network. Participants will learn about regional opportunities to expand career development and
professional networks in higher education. Please come with questions and experiences to share! As always,
feel free to bring your lunch, invite a friend, and join us for the conversation. As an end of semester treat,
desserts will also be served! Co-hosted by WISA and MI-ACE, this event will be held at the Alumni Center,
200 Fletcher St.
Additional events not planned by me but key events for women in higher education held at U-M Ann
Arbor include:
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March 14, 2014
35th Annual Career Conference – “Transforming the Face of Leadership”.
Sponsored by the Women of Color Taskforce and Center for the Education of Women.
557 attendees to the conference; 800 attendees to the keynote speech.
Keynote speaker – Mae Jemison. Link to YouTube of keynote speech:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZNMxFr1Kbw&feature=youtu.be
March 24, 2014
Equity Issues for Women in Higher Education: The Emergent Complexities of Social Identities, Pay Inequities
and the Power of Women’s Groups. Presented by Dr. Penny Pasque.
May 14-16, 2014
Women and Economic Security Conference
250 registrants/attendees for conference; 350 attendees for the Sheryl WuDunn evening keynote.
Mid Michigan Community College
1. We sponsored an 8th grade student luncheon for young women in our community to encourage educational
and career planning.
2. We sponsored a monthly book club that was open to students, faculty, staff using a thematic book on
women’s issues & challenges in the workplace setting. We provided the book as a gift, and provided
meeting space and refreshments.
University of Michigan-Flint
The core team invested its effort on the feasibility of conducting a climate study, and establishing a Women’s
Commission in 2013-2014. We were successful in the latter effort as Chancellor Ruth Person recently
appointed the University of Michigan-Flint’s first Women’s Commission.
Hope College
We have not held any group meetings specifically for women to inform them about the MI-ACE network. Now
that we’ve both been to the IR training, and Karen has been to the summer conference, we may hold something
in the 14-15 academic year.
Oakland University
We held the Annual Phyllis Law Googasian event which honors an individual who has advanced the status of
women at Oakland University. This year the recipient was Holly Kerstner, Asst. Athletic Director StudentAthlete Services for her mentoring of women athletes. We also sponsored 19 women to attend the Michigan
ACE Conference.
Washtenaw Community College
We have not had in activities in the past but have activities planned for the future as noted earlier.
Lansing Community College
This year, with the college working to host the annual conference, all programming meetings were replaced
with working meetings focused on the conference experience. Although from the external this ay seem as
though our group missed a year of events and programs, from the internal this experience could be described as
a jumpstart to the work. The impact of the work we have accomplished this year will definitely show in the
programming and networks which result on our campus in years to come.
Eastern Michigan University
ACE-EMU sponsored a TIAA CREF retirement seminar for women. There were about 60 women in
attendance. We sponsored a pre-conference event which comprised a panel of our two women of excellence
nominees on the topic of leadership, diversity and inclusion. Our two Institutional Reps led this event and
facilitated discussion and questions. Approximately 20 women were in attendance. Refreshments were
provided at both events. Notifications about the events were sent to our entire (100) mailing list. We also
sponsored an EMU Woman of Excellence event and Glenna Miller, the former Executive Director Student Life
won the award. Both Glenna, the IRs and the President received a spot on the Board of Regents agenda to give
Glenna her award and we hosted a reception for Glenna after the meeting which was attended by approx. 50
people. Refreshments were provided.
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Describe the process you use to plan activities for women on your campus (e.g., do you have a steering committee or
a core team of people to assist you?). If you have enlisted support, describe the meetings you have convened for
your committee, who you enlisted to help you, and what the results were. Also, please estimate how many people
are involved in your planning team and what the “focus” of your network is (e.g., all women on campus, graduate
assistants, only women administrators, women department chairs and above, women administrators and those
interested in becoming administrators, etc.).
Olivet College
Programming is led by the Women’s Resource Center through the Women’s Resource Advisory
Committee. The committee consists of 6 people who are administrators, staff and faculty. Five women and
1 male make up the committee.
Madonna University
The two IRs for Madonna University met with a small group of women during the academic year to
brainstorm possibilities for the future. Since this was our first year of involvement with MI-ACE, we
utilized this group to build support and discuss how to expand programming for the 2014-2015 academic
year.
Baker College of Muskegon
The College has a formal faculty professional development committee which meets quarterly. The event hosted
in spring 2014 was coordinated through the work of this committee. The professional development session was
titled, “MI-ACE Network for Women Leaders in Higher Education.” Additionally, the College’s Operations
Committee is made up of representatives from each department and a faculty representative. The Operations
Committee oversees New Employee Orientation and professional development of staff. The flyer for the spring
event was disseminated to all departments of the college.
Davenport University
We planned to pursue the following initiatives at DU
 Communicate to women, in leadership or supervisor positions, who are employed at DU about various
activities and events sponsored by MI ACE, such as Annual MI ACE conference in Lansing.
 Create a book club of women faculty and staff at DU who would like to meet virtually to discuss books
chosen or referred to by the IRs.
 Continue to promote DU women to present at the annual conference.
 Share information about professional development or lecture series that may be of interest to women.
Ferris State University
I hope to have a second IR named for our campus so that I have a partner in planning activities.
Northwood University
We have a steering committee of eight women within Northwood University; this group is a variety of
management levels and departments across campus. This group of women meets twice over the summer to
brainstorm and plans our program for the upcoming academic year. One week before each luncheon we meet to
assign tasks, etc. In years past we have also conducted surveys to gather information from our audience to better
suit their needs from our group. We invite 215 women to each event that includes any women who works on
our Michigan campus regardless of level or department.
North Central Michigan College
We had a steering committee that consisted of our President, Dean of Instruction (both involved with M-Ace),
our Women’s Recourse Center and an Associate Dean finishing up her dissertation. All contributed to this event
in the form of speaking and volunteering their time in the creation and production of this. The rest of the
members of this committee, were our Marketing, Conference and Food Services, Enrollment Management, all
of which are women held leadership positions at our college.
Lawrence Technological University
The Provost intends to convene a committee in the AY 2014-2015 (to plan for hosting the annual YW/SL
conference in a future year and explore other opportunities).
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University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
Due to the stellar work of CEW, WCTF, WISA and other groups on campus, I don’t currently have a steering
committee for MI-ACE. Instead, I forward information as much as possible to all of the groups. The session I
presented to the WISA group in December was my first official MI-ACE branded activity. However, I did find
a new opportunity to further the goals of MI-ACE after attending the IR training. During the training, there was
interest expressed in having more engaged networking opportunities at the MI-ACE conference. After returning
to campus and talking with Gloria, I joined the WOCC planning committee for the MI-ACE conference. I
partnered with another M. Michelle Rosemond, another WOCC planning committee member, to present an
interactive workshop on Day 1 of the MI-ACE conference that highlighted community service opportunities
throughout Michigan. The best part of the workshop was that 11 members of the WOCC planning committee
served as small group facilitators for the session. A few of the women had other roles with the conference, but
for others it was their first time in a visible leadership role at the conference. Truly a win-win for both the
facilitators and the participants!
In addition, Provost Martha Pollack and President Mary Sue Coleman were acknowledged at this year’s MIACE conference as trailblazers for higher education/public policy.
Mid Michigan Community College
We have two IRs, and another administrator is a member of the Executive Board for the MI-ACE. We have
functioned as a three person team for planning purposes.
Hope College
We do not have a planning team at this time.
Oakland University
We have the ACE Network Steering Committee. This year was an aberration in that we met mostly by email.
This is an incredibly busy group of women but also a very supportive one. We have made inclusion of young
professional women on the Steering Committee a priority in the last two years.
Lansing Community College
This year, our core planning group consisted of approximately 15 women, with the work involving over 50
women across campus in some way. Next year, our goal is to increase both programming and committee
members.
Eastern Michigan University
Yes, we have a steering committee of 8 women and 2 new members will be joining us this year. The committee
meets approximately once every 2 months to discuss programming. The committee is comprised of faculty and
senior administrators. Our network includes approximately 100 women which comprises of faculty, grad
assistants and administrators
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