The panelists addressed tools for building strong teams, communicating with key constituents, making tough decisions, and moving forward as a community. The day ended with roundtable discussions focused on academic, ad-ministrative, and student support areas that require unique leadership strate-gies. Participants shared creative ways to lead and motivate specifically using cost effective approaches.

For the fifth year in a row, the Virginia Network was pleased to invite women deans, vice presidents, provosts, presidents, and members of governing boards to the 2008 session of Women Executives in Virginia Higher Education (WEVHE). The event was hosted at Virginia Union University by President Belinda Anderson. WEVHE is affiliated with the Virginia Network and provides networking and targeted professional development for women who hold executive-level positions in higher education or who serve on a governing board for institu-tions across the state. This year’s event began on Thursday, November 6 with a reception and dinner at President Anderson’s newly renovated home. [WEVHE participants were delighted to be the first group hosted at her home!] The sessions on Friday focused on the theme Moving Ahead When the Budget’s in Reverse, a topic that resonates with all executives, whether serving in 2-year, 4-year, public, private, large, or small institutions.

After a welcome from Virginia Network State Coordinator, Jeanie Kline (UMW), President Anderson shared the rich history of HBCUs in general and Virginia Union in particular. Participants were also presented the opportunity of viewing a series of panels depicting the history of VUU, showcased in the L. Douglas Wilder Library on campus. A special feature of the program followed, with a panel of experts sharing their strategies for leading and motivating teams during budgetary downturns. Members of the panel included Carolyn Meyers, President, Norfolk State University; Genene LeRosen, Executive Vice President, J. Sargent Reynolds Community College; Carol Simpson, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Old Dominion University; and Collette Sheehy, Vice President of Manage-ment and Budget, University of Virginia.

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LEADERSHIP IN HIGHER

EDUCATION

VA Network Website— www.ace.prov.vt.edu

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Jan. 22: Jan. 22: Jan. 22: Jan. 22: Executive Board Mtg

Jan. 22Jan. 22Jan. 22Jan. 22----23232323: Senior Seminar

Richmond

May 28: May 28: May 28: May 28: Executive Board Mtg

May 28May 28May 28May 28----29: 29: 29: 29: Senior Seminar

May 29: May 29: May 29: May 29: State Conference

Virginia State University

June 4: June 4: June 4: June 4: 2010 Conference

Hotel Roanoke

Belinda AndersonBelinda AndersonBelinda AndersonBelinda Anderson President

Virginia Union University

themes related to balancing the two for a rewarding life.

In addition, there will be several workshops and panel presentations focused on unity and balance.

Be sure to mark your calendar today for this enriching event.

You will find an array of talented and experienced women who make extraordinary contributions within their home institutions and in civic, religious, charitable, and political organizations. We look forward to seeing you at a future program!

Fall greetings to each of you around the Commonwealth of Virginia! We are delighted to provide a number of news items and updates to you in this publication, and to invite you to events we are planning in the coming months.

Higher education in Virginia offers abundant opportunities for women, both in their

career ventures and in association with colleagues throughout the state. One key connector is the Virginia Network—affiliated with the American Council on Education’s Office of Women in Higher Edu-cation (ACE-OWHE).

The Network has operated continuously for more than 31 years, providing leadership development for women in Virginia higher education.

The Network allows for wonderful connections among women across the state who work in a

diverse set of institutions and hold various faculty, administrative, student support, and other key college and university positions.

The Network has won national awards for such programs as the Senior Leadership Seminar, and key leaders have served on

the national OWHE board for a number of years. In addition, Institutional Representatives keep colleagues at their institution or organization appraised of career opportunities during the year.

Virginia is also fortunate to have sixteen women presidents around the state, in private, public, small, large, HBCU, 2-year and 4-year institutions.

They are leaders within and around their institu-tions, and they serve as remarkable role models for women who are con-sidering advancement to positions of increasing leadership.

If you are interested in making connections and in learning about leader-ship opportunities, I invite you to visit the web site www.ace.prov.vt.edu or to speak with your Institutional Representative about how you might get involved.

This event will take place on May 29, 2009 May 29, 2009 May 29, 2009 May 29, 2009 at Virginia State University. The conference theme of Putting the Pieces Together: Bringing Unity and Balance into Your Life, will focus on work-life choices.

In each life there is a continuum of pathways, both conventional and unconventional that include

All women are invited to the Virginia Network’s 2009 An-nual Conference, the third Women of Color program sponsored by the Network.

challenges in breaking through barriers, financial and retirement planning, and most importantly, focusing on body, mind and spirit.

The conference is developed around an inspiring keynote speaker who will share her perspective on blending personal and professional aspirations, as well as

M E S S A G E F R O M T H E V I R G I N I A N E T W O R K S T A T E C O O R D I N A T O R

M A R K Y O U R C A L E N D A R S N O W F O R T H E 2 0 0 9 C O N F E R E N C E A T V S U

The Network

allows for

wonderful

connections

among women

across the state

who work in a

diverse set of

institutions.

Jeanie Kline, State Coordinator,

and Associate Vice President

for Academic Affairs

University of Mary Washington

College of Graduate and

Professional Studies.

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Patricia Bradshaw Rappahannock Com. College Campus Dean, Warsaw Campus

Jeri Childers Virginia Tech Director, Outreach Program Development

Lucinda Childs-White University of Virginia Director, HR Consulting Services and Director, University Recruitment

Elizabeth Creamer Virginia Community College System Director, Postsecondary Perkins/Tech Prep

Lisa Donaldson Northern Virginia Community College, Woodbridge Campus Dean of Business and Social Sciences

Roseanne Ford University of Virginia Associate Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies

Stephanie Garst Roanoke College Director of Community Programs and Special Events

The Virginia Network is

pleased to welcome the

2008-2009 class of Senior

Leadership Seminar

participants.

The Network has offered the

Senior Leadership Seminar

for more than 20 years and

is proud of the many Seminar

alumnae who serve a variety

of institutions as presidents,

provosts, and other leaders.

Offered in three sessions

over the course of an

academic year, the Seminar

provides speakers and

workshops that highlight

trends and current issues in

higher education.

In addition, the Seminar is

an opportunity to establish

professional and personal

contacts with women who

hold leadership roles in

higher education around the

state.

Think about women leaders

you would like to nominate!

The call for nominations for

the 2009 – 10 Senior

Leadership Seminar will be

out in early 2009 and we

invite you to identify

participants for this class. We

all benefit from an expanded

network in VA!

Questions?

Contact Ellen Plummer at

Virginia Tech

eplummer@vt.edu;

Chris Clark-Talley at

George Mason University

cclarkta@gmu.edu;

Lonnie Schaeffer at

Tidewater Community College

tcschal@tcc.edu.

Pam Allen George Mason University Assistant Dean for Academic and Career Services

Beth Aracena Eastern Mennonite University Associate Dean for Curriculum

Harriette Arrington Paul D. Camp Com. College Academic Dean, Hobbs Suffolk Campus

Elizabeth Bernard George Mason University Director, Freshman Center &, University Transition Programs

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Kathleen Kehoe George Mason University Director, Stewardship and Special Projects

Margaret Mulrooney James Madison University Assoc. Dean, University Studies

Patty O’Toole Hollins University Dean of Students

Kelly Plantan J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Coordinator for Development Activities

Patrice Randall Virginia State University Coordinator of Graduate Recruitment

Lori Roth George Mason University Director of Training and Development Gretchen Schmidt Virginia Community College System Director of Educational Policy Brenda Sedlacek Tidewater Community College Dean, Engineering and Indus-trial Technologies

Kerstin Soderlund Longwood University Dean of Students

Ann Sorensen Old Dominion University Site Director

Leslie Stevenson University of Richmond Director, Career Development Center

Debra Stoudt Virginia Tech Assoc. Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and Professor of German

Gail Summer Ferrum College Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs

Debra Harber University of Mary Washington Associate Dean of Financial Aid

Adrienne Hinds Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale Campus Dean, Business & Public Services M. Njeri Jackson Virginia Commonwealth University Special Assistant to the Provost for Promoting Diversity

Alice Joyner Virginia State University Director of Outreach, School of Graduate Studies, Research, and Outreach

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Rita Thompson University of Mary Washington Assistant Dean of Admissions

Mekeisha Williams Virginia Tech Director, Organizational Development and Succession

Kathleen Worting Lord Fairfax Community College Dean Seminarians meet three times during the year, generally Octo-bre, January and May/June in connection with the Network’s annual conference. Prior to each session, seminarians are assigned “homework” which they discuss during the sessions. For additional information about the Senior Seminar as well as programs from past years , visit the VA Network website at—http://www.ace.prov.vt.edu/programs07.html

Leadership/Mentoring: Leadership/Mentoring: Leadership/Mentoring: Leadership/Mentoring:

Mentoring with experienced faculty -Norfolk State

Women’s Leadership Mentorship Course - Virginia Tech

Mentoring for Faculty - Eastern Mennonite - Washington &Lee - Longwood

Leadership Development Program for Support Staff -Norfolk State

Networking/Gathering:Networking/Gathering:Networking/Gathering:Networking/Gathering:

Wine and Cheese - Radford Opening faculty reception to honor high-ranking women —Washington &Lee Retirement Events to honor high-ranking women (Each person is asked to bring one person with them.) – University of Virginia

New Faculty Colloquium - Washington & Lee

Parent Forum - Washington & Lee Themed Lunch -Virginia Tech - State Council on Higher Education in Virginia (topics include lfe-long learning, leadership and work-life balance) – James Madison University (with sister institutions in the area) Additional Ideas:Additional Ideas:Additional Ideas:Additional Ideas:

Developing Teaching Skills Workshops - University of Virginia

List serves - James Madison University

Deborah Swiecinski Old Dominion University Assistant Vice President for Financial Planning & Budget

Kathy Thompson James Madison University Assistant Dean, Graduate School

2 0 0 8 - 0 9 S E N I O R S E M I N A R C L A S S , C O N T .

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The IRs meet each fall to discuss programming and to network among themselves.

On September 30, Virginia Network IRs met at the University of Virginia, where Donna Burns Phillips, Director of the ACE Office of Women in Higher Education, discussed women’s issues from the national perspective and to provide information about her office.

During the afternoon, participants shared ideas about programs supporting women on their campuses, as well as opportunities

being offered by Network members. Discussions ensued about ways to enhance leadership and development among women at all campuses.

The following list was generated from the discussions, highlighting the many interesting opportunities being offered by Network members. Additional ideas for potential campus activities are always welcome.

To learn more about the IRs, please visit the Network Website at—www.ace.prov.vt.edu

Each public and private college in the Commonwealth is asked to identify a woman on that campus who will serve as a link to the Network and as a catalyst for activities at her institution. These individuals are the Institutional Representatives (IRs) and their roles are: to keep women on their campus informed of activities of the Network and to encourage their involvement; to act as advocates for women; and to promote the advancement of women at their institutions and associated organizations.

I R S S H A R E I D E A S F O R C A M P U S A C T I V I T I E S

The current fiscal year for most states, including Virginia, started on July 1, 2008. Since that time, nationally we have seen a Wall Street meltdown, the housing slump, high unemployment, and low consumer confidence. In VirginiaIn VirginiaIn VirginiaIn Virginia Coming on the heels of last year’s permanently implemented five percent budget cuts and only three weeks into the new fiscal year, the Virginia Secretary of Finance sent a letter to the Governor warning about a slowing economy and a potential shortfall in several key general fund revenue sources.

The Governor asked all state agencies to immediately take steps to reduced discretionary spending such as delayed hiring, reduced travel, and elimination of equipment purchases.

By August, it became clear that revenues were growing at a lower rate than that required to meet the official revenue estimates found in the State budget. Since Virginia is required to balance its budget, a reduction in revenue meant that there would have to be a correspond-ing reduction in expendi-tures by state agencies.

In early September, the Governor announced that all state agencies, includ-ing institutions of higher education, were to submit

reduction plans for five, ten, and fifteen percent for his review. On October 9, the Governor confirmed a biennial revenue shortfall of $2.5 billion for the Commonwealth with $974 million of it

occurring in the current fiscal year (FY 2009) and another $1.54 billion shortfall expected in FY 2010.

He announced several major strategies to specifi-cally address the current year’s shortfall including 1) taking $400 M from the “Rainy Day Fund”, 2) saving $44.7 M by delaying the 2% salary increase from Nov. 25, 2008 until July 1, 2009, 3) financing $250 M in capital projects with bonds instead of general funds, and 4) requiring state agencies to reduce budgets by almost $280 million.

To meet the $280 million reduction target, many state agencies were required to implement their ten or fifteen percent reduction plans.

The Governor’s official reduction plan along with the original 5-15% reduc-

tion scenarios can be viewed on the web site for the Department of Planning and Budget (www.dpb.virginia.gov). The Governor avoided cuts in K-12 education and required either a five or seven percent cut for institutions of higher education based on each institution’s percentage of students with demonstrated financial need or percentage of base adequacy funding as calculated by SCHEV. The Governor will address next year’s projected $1.5 billion shortfall when he

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announces his amend-ments to the biennial budget on December 17. Virginia Is Not AloneVirginia Is Not AloneVirginia Is Not AloneVirginia Is Not Alone College and universities nationwide are bracing for budget cuts as state revenues from sales, corporate, and income

taxes continue to nosedive in the struggling economy. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says that 21 states, including Virginia, are expect-ing budget shortfalls totaling nearly $9 billion for the current fiscal year. A recent report from the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute on Government, warns that tax collection in many

states could fall even fur-ther this year, making a difficult fiscal situation even worse for much of the nation. With continued budget cuts facing higher education, the Virginia Network urges all members to stay abreast of key roles they may play in leading colleagues through challenging times. Such roles are certain to reap rewards for individuals and institutions around the state.

Carolyn CookCarolyn CookCarolyn CookCarolyn Cook, Director of Planning and Budget,

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

On October 27, 2008, Virginia Tech lost a well-respected and beloved member of its community. Dr. Zenobia Hikes died from complications from heart surgery she had several weeks earlier.

A pillar of strength and calm, she helped lead the University through the challenging times following April 16, 2007.

Dr. Zenobia Lawrence Hikes, joined Virginia Tech as the new vice president for student affairs on August 25, 2005. At Tech she provided leadership oversight for 15 university departments, including housing and dining programs, career services, student health, recreational sports, and the Corps of Cadets. She was responsible for an annual budget of $82 million and 2,000 employees. She came to Virginia Tech from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, where she served as the vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students.

At Spelman College, Dr. Hikes provided leadership for 13 departments in Student Affairs. Further, she drove innovative leadership and student development, served as an advocate for the development of human potential, and founded the Women of Excellence Leadership Series at Spelman College as well as other leadership pro-grams to empower Spelman students. Previously, she served in Student Life at the Univer-sity of Delaware and in the field of public relations in Okinawa, Japan. With more than 20 years of administrative and leadership experience in the areas of enrollment

I N M E M O R I A M . . . Z E N O B I A H I K E S

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reconnect with friends is always a highlight of the state conference.

Betty Siegel

Plan to attend the next one, hosted by Virginia State Uni-versity, on May 29, 2009.

Pat HyerPat HyerPat HyerPat Hyer, Associate Provost for Academic Administration

Virginia Tech

management and student support services, she has written and presented papers on race-specific student recruitment and retention, first-generation college admissions, and leadership development.

Beyond her professional experiences, Dr. Hikes was very active in both the civic and higher education arenas. Her civic focus includes building multi-racial coalitions and empowering disenfranchised women and children.

She served on the Georgia Breast Cancer Coalition and the Governor’s Tour-ism Advisory Board for the State of Delaware. She will be missed.

Those who attended the 2008 Virginia Network state conference left the Hotel Roanoke on a high.

In the morning, presidents Nancy Oliver Gray (Hollins University), Patty Cormier (Longwood University), and Cheryl Thompson-Stacy (Eastern Shore Community College) offered remarks about the important topic of accountability and what they have done to make themselves and their insti-tutions more accountable to internal and external constituencies.

The plenary session was followed by a wide-ranging conversation with the presidents.

After lunch, Betty Siegel, president emerita of Kennesaw State in Georgia, regaled the audience with funny and touching stories of growing up deep in coal-mining Appalachia and achieving unimaginable dreams for herself and for others.

With oversized red glasses and self-deprecating humor, Siegel makes an unforgettable impression -- not just her presence, but her passion for “invitational leadership,” which she describes in her co-authored book: Becom-Becom-Becom-Becom-ing an Invitational Leader: ing an Invitational Leader: ing an Invitational Leader: ing an Invitational Leader: A New Approach to Profes-A New Approach to Profes-A New Approach to Profes-A New Approach to Profes-sional and Personal Suc-sional and Personal Suc-sional and Personal Suc-sional and Personal Suc-cesscesscesscess (Amazon.com).

Invitational leaders as-sume that each person has motivation, and that the leadership challenge is unleashing each person’s intrinsic energy by urging them to see themselves as capable of tackling tough challenges, overcoming obstacles, and accomplish-ing great things.

The emphasis moves from command and control to cooperation and communi-cation. Siegel is now shar-ing the model of ethical leadership in countries around the world.

In addition to hearing from key leaders, the opportu-nity to meet colleagues from around the state and

The Virginia Network and the American Council on Education’s Office of Women The Virginia Network and the American Council on Education’s Office of Women The Virginia Network and the American Council on Education’s Office of Women The Virginia Network and the American Council on Education’s Office of Women

in Higher Education in Higher Education in Higher Education in Higher Education ————Promoting Women’s Leadership in Higher EducationPromoting Women’s Leadership in Higher EducationPromoting Women’s Leadership in Higher EducationPromoting Women’s Leadership in Higher Education

Virginia Network News—Fall 2008

Fran Bradford—Editor

completed the Management Development Program at Harvard Graduate School of Education. Dr. LeRosen is married to Dr. Robert LeRosen. Together they have two sons, four daughters,

and one granddaughter.

Maricel QuintanaMaricel QuintanaMaricel QuintanaMaricel Quintana ----BakerBakerBakerBaker, serves as Associate Director for Academic Affairs and Planning at the State Council of Higher Education for Vir-ginia (SCHEV). She is respon-sible for coordinating Vir-ginia’s Outstanding Faculty Awards and the Virginia Doc-toral Nursing Loan Repay-ment Program, and works with the Agency’s Statewide Strategic Plan. She is a member of the National Advisory Board for the Com-puting Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institutions (CAHSI) and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities’ Higher Education Research Collective (H3ERC). She earned her Doctorate in Higher Education from American University in Washington, DC, and is a graduate of Leadership Metro Richmond and the Management Development-Program (MDP) at the Har-vard University Graduate School of Education. Dr. Quintana-Baker is originally from Santiago, Cuba and is fluent in Spanish.

Regenia Hill Regenia Hill Regenia Hill Regenia Hill is currently em-ployed as Regional Director in the Office of Distance Learn-ing at Old Dominion Univer-sity where she provides lead-ership and oversight to seven distance learning centers throughout Northeast Vir-ginia. Regenia has held staff positions in Student Activities and the Office of Residential Life at the University of Rich-mond and has served as an adjunct instructor and grant administrator at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. Regenia is the co-chair for the 2009 Virginia Network Con-ference and is enrolled in the 2008/09 Leadership Metro Richmond Quest Program. She holds a bachelor’s de-gree in Business Marketing and a Master of Science in Counseling and Higher Education, both from Radford University. She has served on various university committees and is active in professional and community organizations. Deneese JonesDeneese JonesDeneese JonesDeneese Jones, affectionately known as “Dr. D” began her service as Professor and Dean of the College of Educa-tion and Human Services at Longwood University on June 25, 2005. Dr. Jones earned her Ph. D. in Curriculum and Instruction and her Master of Education degree from Texas A&M University. Her Bachelor

The Virginia Network Executive Board, which consists of women representing public, private, two-year and four-year institutions, is pleased to wel-come 5 new members. The Board meets three times dur-ing each academic year to plan programs for women in Virginia higher education. Amelia J. Harris Amelia J. Harris Amelia J. Harris Amelia J. Harris is the Aca-demic Dean at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise. She has served as Dean since 2000, and as Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Af-fairs for a short period during that time. Prior to appoint-ment as Dean, she was chair of the Department of Lan-guage and Literature. Amelia holds a B.A. in German from Vanderbilt University. She earned her doctorate, also in German, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Between undergraduate and graduate schools, she studied at the Free University in Berlin on a Fulbright Scholarship. She continues to teach Ger-man classes on all levels and, in fact, is the only German professor at UVa-Wise. An ar-dent supporter of the arts, Amelia serves on the boards of the Wise County Pro-Art Association and the Symphony of the Mountains, an orches-tra based in Kingsport, Ten-nessee, but performing throughout the region.

of Science in Elementary Education is from Texas Woman’s University. A na-tive of Dallas, Texas, Dr. Jones moved to Farmville from the University of Ken-tucky at Lexington, where she devoted fourteen years of her educational expertise at state, national, and inter-national levels. Dr. Jones is married to Mr. Stephen C. Jones; they have two adult daughters and two grand-sons. Genene D. LeRosen Genene D. LeRosen Genene D. LeRosen Genene D. LeRosen has served as the Executive Vice President at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community Col-lege since 2002. In this po-sition, she serves as an ex-ecutive officer providing leadership and direction for academic and professional programs; full and part-time faculty; technology support for teaching, learning, and college operations; student development services; en-rollment and management services, learning communi-ties; and outreach and re-cruitment. Dr. LeRosen holds a B.S. degree in Busi-ness Education from the State University of New York at Albany; an M.S. Degree in Business Education from Virginia State University, and an Ed.D. in Higher Edu-cation from The College of William and Mary. She also

F I V E N E W W O M E N L E A D E R S J O I N T H E N E T W O R K B O A R D

The Virginia Network is online!

For more information about the Network

and its activities, visit-

http://www.ace.prov.vt.edu/