Video: ICC Hosts Women in Higher Education Mississippi Network Conference

[syndicaster id=’5621707′]

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) -They represent virtually every institution of higher learning in the state and they are gathered in Tupelo. And all conference participants are female. It’s the annual meeting of the Women In Higher Education Mississippi Network, or WHEMN. WCBI’s Allie Martin has more .

They gathered at ICC’s Belden Campus for a conference that celebrates, inspires and empowers women in higher education.

Former Lt. Governor Amy Tuck, who now serves as vice president for campus services at MSU talked about the importance of strong, decisive and compassionate leadership.

“For me, I think it’s important as a leader that we listen to others and we have an opportunity to get their ideas and goals of what they would like to see accomplished. Leaders have goals, they set visions and they decide how they want to get there.”

Other speakers will tackle topics such as; “The Business of Balance; from making a living to making a life” “The importance of corporate partnerships with higher education” and “Leading from the inside out.”

Organizers say the conference provides great opportunities for growth.

“We are hoping that every participant will leave here with skills that sharpen their saw, that is professional development.”

Participants say the conference is a valuable resource in many ways.

“One of the things that we build in time so there’s just casual conversation between the attendees, and today, talked to a colleague about student success and what they’re doing at their institution to serve students who come in , not ready for college, and found out a program they’re doing, and that might be a program that could work at my college.”

“When I first started attending this conference, I was interim associate dean of the college of science, engineering and technology and during this four year period, I’ve been promoted three times and I attribute some of the things I’ve learned at this conference and people I’ve met to helping me advance in my career.”

The conference wraps up Friday afternoon. In Tupelo I’m Allie Martin wcbi news. >

WHEMN holds its meetings at the same institution for a two year period. Next year’s meeting will take place at Jackson State University.