“Mentoring” is Focus of WSU’s 10th Annual “Women and Leadership Forum” and Awards Ceremony March 24

PULLMAN, Wash. — “Mentoring: Side by side. Step by step.” is the theme of the 10^th annual Women and Leadership Forum to be held from 8 a.m. to noon, and 1:45-4 p.m. Thursday, March 24 in the Compton Union Building at Washington State University.

The forum is presented by the Women and Leadership Alliance as part of Women’s History Month and offers morning and afternoon sessions around the Women’s Recognition Luncheon.

This year’s keynote speaker will be Dene Thomas, president of Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, Idaho. Her presentation, “Mentoring Begins with a State of Mind and Ends with a Story,” kicks off the forum at 8:45 a.m. in the CUB Auditorium.

“We are excited to hear President Thomas’s insights into mentoring,” said Debbie Edwards, director of the WSU Career Services Center for students and the 2005 chair of the forum. “She is well known in our region as an inspiring leader herself. She will set the tone for the rest of the day’s events as we explore together the subjects, art, experiences and rewards of mentoring and being mentored.”

New to the forum this year will be the presentation of awards honoring people nominated for making a difference in lives at WSU through mentoring. One representative each from the classified and administrative professional staff, faculty and student categories will receive an award. Nominations, due by 5 p.m. March 4, can be sent to cgardner@wsu.edu.

Women and men from every part of WSU, as well as the community, are invited to participate in the forum at no cost. WSU’s employee development office has authorized the use of release time under the Release Time Policy for participation in the Women and Leadership Forum.

The schedule for the day promises to be fast-paced and relevant for everyone, said Edwards. Following Thomas’s morning speech will be two consecutive panel discussions: “Yes, You CAN Be a Mentor!” from 10-10:50 a.m., and “I Don’t Need a Mentor…Do I?” from 11-11:50 a.m., both in the CUB Auditorium.

From noon to 1:45 p.m., the “Women’s Recognition Luncheon,” traditionally coordinated by the Women’s Resource Center, will provide the opportunity to recognize the diverse accomplishments of women. Tickets for the lunch are $15 each. Reservations must be made in advance with the WRC. Information is available by phoning (509) 335-6849.

The forum resumes at 1:40 p.m. with the presentation of WSU’s first mentoring awards. At 2 p.m., concurrent, fast-paced emphasis groups will offer ideas and an exchange of information for everyone. They include “Mentoring Empowers Us All” for classified staff, “Mentoring is a Two-Way Street” for administrative/professional staff, “Mentoring: What You Don’t Learn from the Books” for students, and “Mentoring: The Missing Link” for faculty.

The forum’s events will close with “The Next Step: Time to Share,” a networking opportunity and mentor showcase. A number of campus groups with resources relating to being a mentor or a mentee will have displays and representatives. Forum events will take place during the afternoon be in the CUB, with location information posted throughout the building.

For the latest news on the WSU Women and Leadership Forum and to register for the day’s events, visit the event Web site at www.WLA.wsu.edu. Registration is requested, but not required.