The AAUW Transitions Conference is an existing program with a strong ties to AAUW’s programmatic theme, Education as the Gateway to Women’s Economic Security.
In addition to being a benefit to the participants, the events offer wonderful opportunities for branches to forge partnerships with local colleges and universities and other community groups. Here are two examples of the conference in action — in Maryland and in Minnesota — co-sponsored by an AAUW branch, a local college, and a community partner.
TRANSITIONS SPARKS COMMUNITY PROJECT IN MARYLAND
Harriet Washington describes her need to return to school as crucial. "I'm recently separated and I'm just working part time now," she says. "I'm looking for ways that I can improve my situation. … I don't quite know what resources are available, and I thought it would be inspirational for me to hear how others have succeeded."
Information and inspiration. That's what Washington needed, and that's what the Gaithersburg (MD) Branch provided at a fall 1999 Transitions session for women considering a return to college.
As documented in the Foundation's research, (1999), no longer do all college students come straight from high school. More people — especially women — move between school and work throughout their lifetimes. In today's economy, women can expect to make several transitions involving their careers and education, and Transitions programs like Gaithersburg's are helping women and the institutions that serve them meet students' changing needs.
Dian Belanger, the Foundation's program vice president and a member of the nearby Rockville Branch, kicked off the session by relating key report findings to her own experience.
The research found that children provide a powerful incentive for women to seek postsecondary education, both to improve their financial situation and to provide better role models. But, parents agree, institutions fail to provide child care and flexible schedules that would encourage and ease a return to school. And lack of money and financial aid is cited as a significant obstacle for people contemplating higher education. Because Belanger wanted to stay home with her children, she held off completing a master's degree.
"I struggled with wanting a be a good role model by completing my degree," she said, "but also wanting to be home for the kids. "I finally got my master's at 40, with a 4.0 average, and I had a great time learning," said Belanger.
After Belanger's presentation, other women provided more inspiration for the 25 Transitions attendees while illustrating the changing student profile that institutions need to accommodate.
Cecilia Seaman, bored as an executive secretary, started college at age 50 to change careers. Pipy Rocha, who started working directly after high school, now attends a community college evenings and weekends. Tamra Spielvogel talked about her difficulty making the transition from graduate school to work. After high school, Tisa Dais, who lived in a group home as a teen, started work and didn't expect to return to school. But she eventually went to a community college, completed her degree at a university, and earned her master's through a distance learning program. Today, a single mom working full time, Dais is pursuing her law degree.
Finally, a dean from the local Montgomery College discussed the many resources especially valuable to women returning to school, such as an emergency fund for students who cannot afford textbooks and counseling for new students.
Before the session closed, event organizer Marilyn Leist, AAUW's Middle Atlantic regional director, urged participants to use the Foundation's research and the day's discussion as a launch pad for community action. The women decided to work with female 11th and 12th graders undecided about college. This project has galvanized local support, since project co-chairs — Harriet Washington and Cecelia Seaman — as well as many other volunteers are not AAUW members. The group aims to show students their options and help them confront the obstacles to college revealed in the research. The planners hope, of course, to provide inspiration and information to help young women make the transition to higher education whenever they are ready.
GAINING A FOOTHOLD: A TRANSITIONS CONFERENCE FOR WOMEN
The AAUW Duluth (MN) Branch, Lake Superior College, and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe hosted a one-day Transitions conference, offering support and information to diverse women interested in returning to college or who have never been to college.
The Transitions Conference explored topics such as financing college, navigating paperwork, learning styles, life goals, employment trends, and balancing school, work and family through a series of interactive workshops. Also discussed was how these topics relate to the adult learner.
"Many of our presenters have experienced difficulties in their lives going to college and completing their degrees," said Nancy Schumacher, Lake Superior College conference contact and AAUW College/University representative. "Their stories and advice are inspiring for other women."
One of the keynote speakers for the conference perfectly exemplified this dynamic: Rita Myntti is the mother of five children, an author, and a world traveler with a lifelong interest in learning. Rita just received her master's degree in Liberal Arts from the University of Minnesota Duluth at age 80. She earned her B.A. at age 62.
To help participants take the next step to going to college, a number of area two- and four-year schools – Lake Superior College, the College of St. Scholastica, the University of Minnesota Duluth, University of Wisconsin-Superior, , and the Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College – offered resources to help women learn more about undergraduate and graduate degree options. Information on traditional classes, online-classes, evening and weekend classes, late start options, and accelerated programs were available.
The conference cost just $10, which included lunch. Scholarships were made available to support women to attend. Fifty-five women participated, including 20 percent women of color.
The conference received media attention from the local radio station, KUWS (Superior Wisconsin Station), in which AAUW received recognition for the development of the Transition Conference and the AAUW Educational Foundation research report (1999).
Have you successfully implemented a Transitions Conference in your community? Please share your story by sending e-mail to program@aauw.org.
To get involved in a Transitions event in your community, contact a local AAUW branch or e-mail program@aauw.org.
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