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DePaul faculty and staff learn the secrets
of successful women
Traveling the Path to Tenure and Promotion
2004-05 Activities
More than 90 women gathered at the DePaul WIL fall quarter
luncheon where “Seven Secrets of Successful Women” was on the menu.
Women from various departments and different stages of their professional lives
assembled for camaraderie and career advice at the event, which was held Oct.
18, 2005 in the DePaul Club.
Co-authors Donna and Lynn Brooks studied successful women from different industries
in a wide range of positions throughout the country as they researched their 1999
publication. They believe the keys to success are for women to control their careers
and practice seven vital strategies they call secrets to excel. In their view,
women must
- know the importance of a mentor
- increase their visibility
- develop an effective network
- communicate effectively
- balance work and family
- take smart risks
- understand the politics of their organization.
A brief presentation on the seven secrets was followed by lively conversations
among the participants. Questions discussed in small groups included: Which of
these “secrets” do you know you do well? And what advice would you
give to others? Which of these “secrets” are difficult for you? Where
do you need advice and guidance? What is the first step that you can take to start
seeing results?
The most important question posed was: How can we help each other at DePaul?
For more information on this event, contact organizers Carrie McAteer-Fournier,
Peggy Burke, Jean Dorsch, Kristin Finlay and Janet Trzaska.
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DePaul WIL discuss tenure
and promotion.
About 25 women faculty participated
in the Oct. 12, 2005 event at the Cortelyou Commons.
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Two tenured professors shared their experiences and encouragement with 25 women
colleagues at the DePaul WIL networking session held Oct. 12, 2005 titled “Finding
Balance: Tenure, Promotion and Life.”
Peg Birmingham, professor of philosophy, and Julie Artis, a recently-tenured
associate professor in sociology, addressed issues of balancing the many roles
they juggle with women faculty who are teachers, researchers, spouses, mothers
and caretakers.
The event was facilitated by Judy Bundra, associate dean of the School of Music,
who discussed the realities of seeking tenure and promotion at DePaul from her
perspective.
Rafaela Weffer, associate vice president for Academic Affairs, provided valuable
advice about the tenure and promotion process.
In addition to the networking and educational aspects of the event, an interdisciplinary
research group was formed among a number of participants to support development
of the research portfolio faculty need to apply for tenure or promotion.
For more information on this event, contact its organizers, Judy Bundra, at
jbundra@depaul.edu, and Carol Montgomery, associate vice president for Career
Services & Financial Planning at cmontgo1@depaul.edu.
Leadership
In January, Donna M. Carroll, president of Dominican University in River Forest,
visited with DePaul WIL to share the lessons she has learned in her career.
Her lecture focused on the necessity of building relationships before one needs
them and finding a mentor or sponsor high in the organization. She offered keen
observations about the differences between networking and friendships and itemized
the ways women confuse the two. Attendees were encouraged to discuss in small
groups their own networks, particularly informal ones that they might overlook.
About a dozen of DePaul’s top women leaders attended.
Networking
The Networking Committee hosted two events during the year. The first was a
luncheon, “Networking 101,” that was conducted on the Loop and Lincoln
Park campuses on successive days in October. Both locations reached capacity
of 70 per event shortly after they were advertised. The events targeted women
seeking leadership or management positions at DePaul and spotlighted three successful
women in the university community: Jackie Taylor, Director of the Humanities
Center; Judy Bundra, associate dean in the School of Music; and Liz Ellis, assistant
dean of the College of Law. They shared personal stories about the value of
networking and how it shaped their lives. Karen Allen, director of DePaul’s
Career Center, facilitated an exercise that allowed participants to share their
experiences with networking in small groups. Energy pulsated through the room.
A subsequent event was held in February and featured Mary Ann Rood, an entrepreneur,
advertising/public relations executive and exceptional networker; and Peg Birmingham,
chair of the Philosophy department who also is active in faculty governance
at DePaul. They discussed the ground rules and techniques of effective networking
by sharing insight and benefits they have received from their own networks,
including business leads and job placements. Approximately 25 women attended
this event.
Education
The Education Committee sponsored a luncheon book discussion featuring Lois
Frankel’s publication “Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office:
101 Unconscious Mistakes Women Make That Sabotage Their Careers.” The
book was offered for the discounted price of $5 to ensure that attendees also
made an investment in the event. Twenty-five people attended. Conversation was
geared toward identifying ways women present themselves in their work environments
and the positive and negative impressions they create. It was an opportunity
for women to become more aware of ways they can become leaders and share their
wisdom with their colleagues.
Mentoring
The Mentoring Committee spent the year mapping out a formal mentoring program
to nurture future leaders. A pilot program will launch in the fall with 20-30
mentors and 30 mentees. Both staff and faculty will participate, following different
tracks to address each group’s unique professional goals. Several model
programs were studied, including examples at Kraft and the Junior League. Major
components will include a shadowing option to introduce mentees to the executive’s
daily schedule; specific skills mentoring; and traditional mentor relationship.
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