Athens, Ga. – Two University of Georgia graduate students have received a $1000 Louise McBee Scholarship from the Georgia Association of Women in Higher Education for their academic achievements and support of women’s leadership in higher education.
The 2012 recipients are doctoral candidates Lauren Collier in the Institute of Higher Education and Jennie Welch in the School of Public and International Affairs. The purpose of the scholarship is to support educational enrichment for women exhibiting leadership potential in the field of higher education.
Collier developed a leadership-training curriculum for the American Council on Education’s Office of Women in Higher Education to assist women faculty members and mid-level administrators in building skills and refining self-presentation to move into higher levels of administration. She currently holds an assistantship with the Office of the Vice President of Public Service and Outreach and the Office of Service-Learning, where she helps plan and implement university-wide engagement strategies through public service and outreach.
“Louise McBee has contributed to higher education through her research, advocacy for women and public service,” said Collier. “Her legacy, especially around the Institute of Higher Education, is evident. It is an honor to be in such esteemed company.”
Welch’s current research focuses on leadership development in K-12 schools, education and social welfare policy, along with leadership and mentoring in the public sector. She currently works as a doctoral fellow at the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement through the Fanning Institute. Following graduation, she plans on pursuing a career in higher education.
“Louise McBee is an incredible example of what it means to dedicate your life to public service and to education. I am honored to have received this award,” said Welch.
The scholarship’s namesake, Louise McBee, is vice president for academic affairs emerita of UGA and served as a state representative from Athens. During her 25-year tenure at UGA, she worked in a number of positions, including dean of women, dean of students and assistant vice president for instruction. In 1991, McBee was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives, where she served six terms. She was chair of the Higher Education Committee from 2002-2004.
Collier and Welch, who are expected to graduate in 2013 and 2015 respectively, were recognized at the 2012 GAWHE Conference last month at Wesleyan College in Macon.
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Note to editors: An image of the scholarship winners with McBee is available for download at
http://multimedia.uga.edu/media/images/McBee_Scholarship_2012.jpg.
Caption: Winners of the 2012 McBee Scholarship are Lauren Collier (l), McBee and Jennie Welch (r).
