Faculty and administrators from across campus will be participating in the upcoming Global Women in STEM Leadership Summit, which was founded by College of Engineering professor Takoi Hamrita and is now in its second year.
“Our goal is to give women in STEM access to powerful tools, strategies and networks to help them realize their full potential and shatter the glass ceiling in traditionally male dominated fields,” said Hamrita, chair of this year’s summit.
Registration is still open for the summit, which will take place at The Four Seasons Hotel, Atlanta-Midtown on March 19-20. The conference will bring together technology executives, educators, entrepreneurs and students from some of the nation’s most influential institutions for two full days of learning, sharing and personal growth.
More than 60 speakers from organizations including AT&T, Northrup Grumman, Southern Company, Coca-Cola, Columbia University, UGA, Georgia Tech and Mercer University will share their experiences and expertise on a range of topics including career advancement, innovation, financial health, effective communication, leadership, entrepreneurship and STEM advocacy. This year’s summit theme is focused on designing the future; it encourages women to realize their full potential, deepen their impact on their communities and work together to level the playing field for women in STEM locally and globally.
Hamrita will deliver the opening and closing remarks at the summit, and additional UGA speakers and panelists include Ian Biggs, senior associate director for startups at Innovation Gateway; Karen Burg, Harbor Lights Chair in Small Animal Studies; Tim Burg, director of the Office of STEM Education; Crystal Leach, director of industry collaborations; Jenna Jambeck, associate professor in the College of Engineering; and Elena Karahanna, the Edmund Rast Professor of Business.
Provost Pamela Whitten will moderate a discussion on higher education leadership with panelists Michelle Garfield Cook, vice provost for diversity and inclusion and strategic university Initiatives; Sarah Covert, associate provost for faculty affairs; and Lisa Nolan, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine.
“Promoting the increased representation of women in STEM fields is essential for the ability of our state and nation to remain competitive in the global economy,” Whitten said. “Dr. Hamrita has organized an extraordinary leadership development event that will inform and inspire individuals while addressing an issue of urgent importance, and I am delighted that so many UGA faculty members are participating.”
To register for the Global Women in STEM Leadership Summit, visit http://www.wielead.org.