WASHINGTON — The AAUW and NASPA  2008 National Conference for College Women Student Leaders set for June 5–7 at Georgetown University will feature nationally known speakers, topical discussions related to enhancing leadership skills on campus and in communities, young women and the 2008 presidential election, and AAUW’s and NASPA’s ever-inspiring Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony. More than 500 student leaders will attend the annual event presented by the AAUW Leadership Institute and the NASPA Center for Scholarship, Research, and Professional Development for Women.

The Women of Distinction Awardees being honored Thursday evening are Kimberly Dozier, correspondent, CBS News; Majora Carter, founder, Sustainable South Bronx; Evelyn “Pat” Foote, retired brigadier general, U.S. Army; Maya Ajmera, founder and president, The Global Fund for Children; and Jovita Carranza, deputy administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration. The keynote speakers are professor and author Pamela Stone and WAMU-FM General Manager Caryn G. Mathes. Stone is speaking Thursday afternoon, June 5, and Mathes will give her remarks on Friday, June 6.

Besides hearing from accomplished women, conference attendees will also have a chance to participate in Campaign College, one of the first programs in the nation to train college women to run for elected office and to participate in student government. Campaign College started at American University in 2006 because of a shocking statistic: 62 percent of the student body was female, but women made up only 28 percent of the school’s student government. Thanks to Campaign College, that number increased to 43 percent. The program provides students with the necessary leadership skills to be involved in campus politics and hopes to inspire future women candidates for local, state, and national office.

“The National Conference for College Women Student Leaders will be a life-changing experience for the 525 young women coming together in our nation’s capital,” said AAUW Executive Director Linda D. Hallman, CAE. “With its nearly 100,000 members and 1,000 branches, AAUW is proud to empower each of these young women to reach their leadership goals. Women make up only 16 percent of those in Congress and only 2.4 percent of CEOs of Fortune 500 Companies. The student conference invests in these women as the next generation of leaders.”

Themed "Leadership for Today and Tomorrow,” the conference will help students develop action plans.
“The young women attending this conference will return to their campuses with the tools needed to affect positive change in their communities,” said NASPA Executive Director Gwendolyn Jordan Dungy. “The presidential campaign has sparked a level of civic engagement we haven't seen in a long time. Those of us in student affairs are committed to educating the whole student and integrating student life and learning. This conference is a way to channel the excitement and build on the momentum generated by this year’s election."

Since 1985, the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders has gathered thousands of college and university women to develop leadership skills, network with other student leaders, and interact with women who hold leadership positions. The conference is presented by AAUW and NASPA. In 2003, AAUW launched the Leadership and Training Institute, a 501(c)(3) organization within the Association, to increase its commitment to ending the underrepresentation of women and girls in leadership and key professional positions. NASPA, as the leading voice for student affairs administration, policy, and practice, affirms the commitment of student affairs to educating the whole student and integrating student life and learning.

Prudential is the premier sponsor of the 2008 National Conference for College Women Student Leaders, including the Women of Distinction Awards event and the Campaign College – Women to Win program. Other conference sponsors include GEICO, Citi, National Panhellenic Conference, CampusTshirt.com, PNC, Lifetime, and Barton Cotton.

To learn more about the conference’s keynote speakers and the 2008 Women of Distinction, visit http://www.aauw.org/nccwsl/2008/program.cfm.

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AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. Since 1881, AAUW has been one of the nation's leading voices promoting education and equity for women and girls. It has a nationwide network of 100,000 members, 1,300 branches, and 500 college/university institutional partners. Since its founding 127 years ago, members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day—educational, social, economic, and political. AAUW’s commitment to educational equity is reflected in its public policy advocacy, community programs, leadership development, conventions and conferences, national partnerships, and international connections. The AAUW Leadership and Training Institute provides programs that help women and girls acquire the skills they need to succeed and assume leadership roles in their academic, professional, and personal lives.

NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, is the leading voice for student affairs administration, policy, and practice and affirms the commitment of student affairs to educating the whole student and integrating student life and learning. With more than 11,000 members at 1,400 campuses and representing 29 countries, NASPA is the foremost professional association for student affairs administrators, faculty, and graduate and undergraduate students. NASPA members are committed to serving college students by embracing the core values of diversity, learning, integrity, service, fellowship, and the spirit of inquiry. The NASPA Center for Scholarship, Research, and Professional Development for Women addresses issues relevant to women in student affairs, women in higher education, and women students through a variety of programs and publications. To learn more about NASPA, visit www.naspa.org.

Because Equity Is Still an Issue ™
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