Assistant Dean's Experience at NJ ACE Women's Network Spring Conference

By Esther Lawrence

Assistant Dean for the School of Business and member of the , Esther Lawrence, recently attended the latter's Annual Spring Conference. Below, she describes her experience while there. 

On March 24, 2023, the NJ ACE Women’s Network held their annual spring conference at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ, the first in-person conference from the organization since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The conference was titled, “.”

It included a panel discussion with three university presidents, Kathryn Foster of the College of New Jersey, Cindy Jebb of Ramapo College and Marcheta P. Evans who also moderated the panel. A separate masterclass featuring author and psychologist, Michelle Callahan of 360 Degrees Strategies, was held on professional branding. 

The day began with registration check-in, breakfast and an opportunity for each member to have professional headshots taken at no additional cost to them. Between the presidential panel discussion and the professional branding masterclass, there were many opportunities to catch up and network with friends and colleagues from other NJ higher education institutions.

������Ƶ was well represented with several employees in attendance including myself and:

• Kimberly L. Dickerson, assistant dean for the School of Education
• Laurie A. Griscom, executive director of Event Services and Campus Engagement
• Jhanna Jean-Louis, director of Student Affairs - Finance, Administration and Operations
• Valerie O. Hayes, chief officer for Diversity and Inclusion 

The conference was extremely meaningful in a time where many women in higher education are questioning or contemplating their next career move. Many undoubtedly attended this conference in search of advice and inspiration on various aspects of leadership and wanted to specifically hear from women leaders in higher education.

Question prompts such as the following were placed on the tables for attendees to discuss around the tables and to contemplate on their own:

• How does integrity play into authentic leadership?
• Is it important to reassess your values periodically as they may shift over time – how would you pursue this goal?
• What barriers have you identified that you would like to knock down to help you achieve a purposeful and authentic leadership style? 

The NJ ACE Women’s Network is always intentional about their engagements and ensuring that every woman leaves feeling refreshed and fulfilled through great conversation, encouragement, advice and networking. They also give you homework!

One of the key homework assignments that was received came from Michelle Callahan’s branding masterclass was to ask some of the closest people/colleagues in your life to describe you in three words.  This exercise is meant to help with creating your professional brand. 

In parting, some words of wisdom that was left with us from the presidential panel discussion included: 

• "Sometimes you have to go to grow.”
• "When you get a seat at the table - stand up, speak up and lift up.”
• “Consider – who are you bringing on this journey?”
• "Take what you know, use it to grow and help somebody else.”

 

Esther Lawrence recently earned her Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership and is a member of the Campus Committee on Diversity and Inclusion Excellence. 

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