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2020 Symposium

WIELS is a partnership between faculty members in the Leadership and Educational Studies at Appalachian State University and practicing educators. Our mandate is the development of an 'armoring process' that will equip women with pragmatic knowledge, skills, and dispositions that prepare them for success as educational leaders. Dates for the 5th Annual Symposium are October 2-3, 2020. View or download a copy of the proceedings for 2019.

We believe all women, regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, creed, cultural uniqueness, religion, or politics deserve a community of support to foster their career advancement. WIELS is committed to developing individual and collective efficacies of women to ensure they are better equipped, confident, and ready to assume leadership positions.

Although gender and wage gaps are somewhat narrowing, women are still disproportionately under-represented in senior leadership positions in education as indicated by national and state trends. It is against such a backdrop that gives us the impetus to address these issues at WIELS. The overarching goal of this partnership is to narrow gender and wage gaps in various forms of leadership and governance. WIELS will serve as a catalyst, convener, and developer, to support educational career pathways for women.

To accomplish our mission, WIELS will be a clearinghouse for information on hot button issues facing women in educational leadership. WIELS will also sponsor an annual symposium held at Appalachian State University to provide networks of mentors, colleagues, and role models to assist women in achieving their career goals. 

Participants will have the opportunity to

  1. Learn from and interact with scholars and leaders in education
  2. Select concurrent sessions involving best practices and research
  3. Engage in critical conversations about issues affecting women
  4. Meet with mentors to develop action plans
  5. Participate in, or observe role plays related to real world job scenarios.

Attendees are urged to submit proposals on salient issues, skills, and experiences affecting women leaders. Proposals are due by June 30, 2020. Click the button below to submit yours today.

Submit Proposals

Contact Us

For more information, please contact WIELS director and assistant director.

Dr. Precious Guramatunhu-Mudiwa
WIELS Executive Director
mudiwap@appstate.edu

Dr. Susan Colby
WIELS Associate Executive Director
colbysa@appstate.edu