Montclair State University
After a long absence from the campus of Montclair State University, the MSU chapter of the New Jersey American Council on Education was re-born. While liking it to a birth may sound dramatic, it has been a labor of love that has brought forth tremendous interest, energy and life to the advancement of the women of MSU. Long dormant were the institutional opportunities for women to network and mentor each other. ACE Net has given us the format and vision necessary to begin to inform women about opportunities for advancement, to support their endeavors, to encourage mentoring and develop leadership.
To date, four programs have been presented by women recognized as leaders and experts in their field:
Fall 2004: Our inaugural event was held. Dr. Brigid Harrison, Associate Professor of Political Science here at MSU and a frequent contributor to NJN and guest on MSNBC was a guest speaker. As it was held shortly after the 2004 national presidential election, the apropos topic was "The Post Election Woman - where do you go from here?" Judith Hain, Vice President for Human Resources at MSU and NJ ACE Net Board member discussed the history and statewide efforts of ACE Net. Dr. Joan Ficke, MSU Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs for Personnel & Resource Planning also spoke on the past accomplishments of ACE Net on campus: the creation of the Children's Center.
Spring 2005: A High Tea. Participants received a tea bag book mark. Our speaker, Dr. Mary Papazian, Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, subject was "Barriers to Success: Women in the Academy." Dean Papazian chose her topic in response to Lawrence H. Summer's, President of Harvard University, statement that the innate differences between men and women might be one reason fewer women succeed in science and math careers. Quite a hot topic in the media and on campuses worldwide!
Fall 2005: During 2005, the subject of mentoring became an important topic on campus. A subcommittee of the President's Commission on Affirmative Action was created to address the need for mentoring at MSU. Dr. Charline Russo, NJ ACE Net Board member and former Director, Worldwide Clinical Operations and Research Training, Schering Plough Research Institute spoke on "Mentoring and Coaching: Tools for Change." This workshop and luncheon received tremendous accolades from the attendees.
Winter 2006: In partnership with northern New Jersey ACE Net colleges and universities, a regional event was held. Our speaker was Susan Mach, Ph.D., Alumna of Montclair State University and partner of the communications consulting firm Laurence & Susan Mach Creative Services located in Kearny, New Jersey. The topic was "Negotiating Your Worth:Women and Their Salary."
Fall 2006: The Chapter hosted a luncheon and panel discussion titled: "How I Found My Voice," moderated by Dr. Allyson Straker-Banks, Associate Dean of MSU Student Academic Services. Panelists were asked to discuss their experience in becoming a leader in their particular area of academia or administration.
We have also built strategic alliances with the following campus organizations: the Women of MSU, a fundraising group awarding annual scholarships to deserving female students; the MSU Women's Caucus, a member of the President's Commission on Affirmative Action; our IRs are members of the the Mentoring Sub-committee of the PCAA, assisting in developing mentoring opportunities and programs for all faculty and staff; IAAP: members of the the MSU Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals regularly attend ACE Net's workshops and programs.