Our Story
How We Got Here
LEAADS@PSU was formed in response to a strong desire among women faculty members at Penn State University to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in leadership positions. These women recognized the importance of having a leadership team that represented the diversity of the campus community, including women, people of color, and other underrepresented groups.
Motivated by a commitment to creating a more inclusive campus environment, these women came together to establish a network focused on advancing this mission. They wanted to create a space where women faculty could share their experiences, support one another, and develop the skills needed to become effective leaders.
LEAADS@PSU’s Founding Committee recognized that diverse perspectives are essential for decision-making, problem-solving, and innovation. By increasing the representation of women and other underrepresented groups in leadership positions, we can create a more vibrant, welcoming, and equitable community for all members of the Penn State community.
LEAADS@PSU is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and equity, and their efforts are making a significant impact on the university community. Through our various initiatives and programs, we are empowering women to take on leadership roles and driving positive change across the university.
LEAADS@PSU Mission
We acknowledge that systems of power and policies are not indifferent to people’s identities, a principle of intersectionality.
“Intersectionality is a way of understanding and analyzing the complexity in the world, in people, and in human experiences. […] When it comes to social inequality, people’s lives and the organization of power in a given society are better understood as being shaped not by a single axis of social division, be it race or gender or class, but by many axes that work together and influence each other.” Collins & Bilge, Intersectionality, 2017
Mission
LEAADS@PSU is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in leadership at Penn State University & supporting the goals of women faculty.
Vision
We envision a university where leadership reflects the diversity of the campus community, creating a more vibrant, welcoming, and equitable environment for all.
Values
Values are at the heart of everything we do. Alongside DEI, we promote intersectionality, collaboration, and unity to accelerate women faculty in leadership.
Previous Milestones
Founding Year
- LEAADS was founded in 2019 and developed as a hub for resources, events, and community-building initiatives.
- Hosted a series of virtual workshops and events focused on building leadership skills and promoting inclusivity in the workplace.
- Collaborated with university leadership to provide input on hiring practices and policies to promote diversity and equity.
Years 2020-2021
LEAADS@PSU continued to expand its impact on the Penn State community, with a focus on increasing participation and engagement in its programs and initiatives.
- Launched the Women in Leadership speaker series, featuring successful women leaders from a variety of industries and backgrounds.
- Developed the Changing the Future Program, with a cohort of twenty-seven faculty.
Years 2022-2023
LEAADS was founded in 2019 and developed as a hub for resources, events, and community-building initiatives.
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Partnered with Next Level, a women-owned company with a long history of advancing women leaders, to provide leadership training and coaching to women faculty at Penn State.
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Increased the Changing the Future (CTF) Program size to sixty faculty members.
Executive Committee
Dr. Carolee Bull
College of Agricultural Sciences
Professor of Plant Pathology and Systematic Bacteriology, Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology
Dr. Margherita Cantorna
College of Agricultural Sciences
Distinguished Professor of Molecular Immunology
Dr. Erin Connolly
College of Agricultural Sciences
Professor and Department Head of Plant Science
Dr. Mary Frecker
College of Engineering
Department Head, Riess Chair of Engineering, Director of the Penn State Center for Biodevices, Professor
Dr. Wendy Hanna-Rose
Eberly College of Science
Dr. Zoubeida Ounaies
College of Engineering
Dr. Erica Smithwick
College of Earth & Mineral Sciences
Distinguished Professor of Geography, Director of Earth and Environmental Systems Institute (EESI), Associate Director of the Institutes of Energy and Environment (IEE)