UAlbany Unveils New Women’s Leadership Academy
SUNY Chancellor and UAlbany President inaugurate initiative
to achieve leadership equilibrium in business and government
NYS Office of Alcohol & Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Karen Carpenter-Palumbo and SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher hold "A Conversation on Pathways to Leadership" after the announcement of a Women's Leadership Academy being established at UAlbany. (Photos by Mark Schmidt)
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ALBANY, N.Y. (November 30, 2010) --
SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher and UAlbany President George M. Philip inaugurated today the University at Albany's Women's Leadership Academy, the only one of its kind in New York State, distinguished by its affiliation with the National Education for Women’s (NEW) Leadership program.
Joining in the unveiling of the Women's Leadership Academy at UAlbany were members of the business, nonprofit and government communities in the greater Capital Region.
The Academy incorporates two major programs that together serve as a catalyst to train, prepare and promote women in public leadership:
- The Center for Women in Government & Civil Society's (CWGCS) Fellowship on Women & Public Policy, a six-month leadership-development program which, over the past 27 years, has graduated 284 women who occupy public policy leadership positions across the state and nation; and
- NEW Leadership™ New York, a part of NEW Leadership's nationwide network, which sponsors a week-long undergraduate leadership development program for women that instills knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for effective political engagement and community organizing. Its first program at UAlbany will be held June 5-11, 2011.
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Julie Gondar, senior public administration major at UAlbany and president of the SUNY Student Assembly, speaks on the power of leadership development at the Women's Leadership Academy event. |
SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher said, "The Women's Leadership Academy is going to be an incredible asset as we seek to bring more young women into the leadership pipelines for government and public policy. There is still an urgent need to help women make their way into these positions, where we still do not approach equal representation. I am proud to be a part of the founding of this academy which will do so much to provide that opportunity to SUNY's students and all New Yorkers."
"Balanced leadership is a strong component of better business and government outcomes," said President Philip. "The Women's Leadership Academy will expand educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students and advance the pace of progress in women's leadership."
New York State Office of Alcohol & Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Karen Carpenter-Palumbo said, "It is important today for young women to understand the significance of relationships in building a successful career. Thanks to the Fellowship and the Women's Leadership Academy, many other women will be empowered to accomplish great things for their communities and our state."
Currently, 2.4 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs are women; women hold only 18 percent of leadership positions in industry nationwide; and New York ranks 24th among the states in the proportion of women in the state legislature.
Sue Faerman, UAlbany's vice provost for Undergraduate Education and Academic Chair of the Academy, said, "In establishing the Academy, we expand the educational opportunities for women seeking leadership positions, and provide undergraduate and graduate women with the opportunity to build and strengthen their public service leadership skills. The Academy focuses, broadens and deepens the University’s efforts to bring the world within reach. "
NEW Leadership TM New York at UAlbany becomes part of a network of more than 20 colleges and universities in other states currently delivering the program. Students will be recruited from New York State colleges and universities. Participation will also be open to New York State residents enrolled in out-of-state colleges or universities.
CWGCS, a research and policy center of UAlbany's Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy, advances excellence in public service by facilitating balanced leadership and promotes gender-responsive public policy that is shaped by women’s perspectives. The Center utilizes research, teaching, training and public education to accomplish its mission. Further information can be obtained at CWGCS’s website.
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Educationally and culturally, the University at Albany-SUNY puts "The World Within Reach" for its 18,000 students. An internationally recognized research university with 58 undergraduate majors and 128 graduate degree programs, UAlbany is a leader among all New York State colleges and universities in such diverse fields as public policy, nanotechnology and criminal justice. With a curriculum enhanced by 300 study-abroad opportunities, UAlbany launches great careers. For more information about this globally ranked University, visit https://www.albany.edu/. For UAlbany's extensive roster of faculty experts, visit www.albany.edu/news/experts.shtml.
