Friday, February 28, 2014

Impressive Memorabilia Collection from a Women’s College

I came upon this site and had to share it! It’s an incredible collection of Mount Holyoke College memorabilia created by a 1983 alumna, Donna Albino. Donna's been collecting memorabilia from her Alma mater for over twenty-years. Visit here.

Donna also wrote a book about Mount Holyoke College.

Learn more about this women’s college here.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Women’s Colleges Provide the Best Opportunities – Check Out this New Honors Program

Because of a very generous donation from an anonymous donor (a $1 million endowment), Hollins University now offers their students a fantastic honors program.

From Hollins' Web site:

The Hollins honors program will complement the challenges of the Hollins academic program for some of our most talented and motivated students. Open to first- and second-year students, the honors program is designed for the student who is intrigued by the idea of working in depth on interdisciplinary, collaborative, student-initiated projects.

Students in the honors program complete a four-semester sequence of two-credit interdisciplinary seminars, joining a small cohort of fellow scholars. During the first year, students work closely with two faculty members to identify group projects of interest and then plan, execute, communicate, and present results from those projects. During the second year, students focus on individual projects, working closely with faculty.


Examples of possible topics:
•    Biology and the Law: How has the law kept up or failed to keep up with ongoing scientific research into genetic identification, gender identity, cloning, and climate change?
•    Assessing Social Change: How are social programs evaluated and how do those results affect policy debate?
•    Creativity and Trauma: How have artists, musicians, and writers depicted trauma, and how have those depictions affected the individual artists?
•    Censorship in America: What types of creative work have been censored in America, and how was that censorship accomplished and opposed?
•    From Paints to Pesticides: What impact have human-made chemicals had on the world?
•    Global Political Ecology: How are differences between developing and developed countries affecting international agreements on the environment?


Learn more about Hollins Honor Program here.

Learn more about Hollins University, where "Women Who Are Going Places Start at Hollins" here.

Monday, February 24, 2014

Why this Graphic Designer Loves Her Alma Mater, a College for Women

“Hailing from a small Western Pennsylvania town, I was tired of hearing the word ‘NO’ from my public school. It caused me to react by working harder to guarantee I would succeed. I set high standards for my future. Surrounded by equally determined, like-minded talent and supportive mentors placed me on track to develop my skills professionally, strengthen my weaknesses, and noticeably grow each semester. Moore was the only option for me. At times it was difficult to appreciate the criticism and unfiltered advice from educators and peers. I now realize I learned valuable lessons and have applied them to my professional and personal life. Without the guidance from my professors and friends I could have easily strayed from my original goals. I have remained connected to many of my college friends. I don’t look further than the group of inspiring women I met a little over a decade ago to boost my spirit and allow me to continue on my path. I am fortunate to now be an artist, entrepreneur, designer, wife and mother. I often draw power from the words of my professors: Jill Furst, Frieda Fehrenbacher, Anne Siedman and Tendai Johnson - a few that had an impact on me at Moore. I also know that I am NOT the exception—each graduate has gained the extraordinary education and network available only as Moore College of Art & Design women.” -- Melissa Bourdess Wilt '02, Graphic Design, Moore College of Art & Design

Quote Source

Additional information about Moore College can be found on their Web site.

Friday, February 21, 2014

2008 Graduate of a Women’s College Crowned Miss India USA in 2013

Meet Monica Gill. She was crowned Miss India USA 2013 on Sunday, November 24, 2013.

Currently a Clinical Research Associate for a biopharmaceutical firm, Monica is from Boston, MA and a 2008 graduate of a women’s college: Agnes Scott College.

Additional information about the contest can be found here and additional information about Agnes Scott College can be found here.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

2013 Graphic Design Alumna Publishes Her Own Magazine

I love sharing alumnae stories from women’s colleges

This story is about an alumna, Stephanie Price ’13, from Moore College of Art & Design as told via a post from the college’s Web site:

“As a child, Stephanie Price ’13 always wanted to start her own magazine.

She finally got her chance after graduating from Moore with a BFA in Graphic Design.

“I had modeled in the past and was published in a few magazines that were privately owned by people like me,” she said. “I was like – I have skills as a designer, why can’t I do a magazine on my own?”

Today, Price is a freelance designer and also the sole founder, designer and creative director of NUMiNOUS magazine, a bi-monthly publication created by artists for artists and art enthusiasts. The magazine displays artwork from artists around the globe of every medium, from fashion design to photography to illustration.”


Continue reading here.

Here’s what Stephanie Price says about her Alma mater:

“I feel like Moore is definitely always there to help you,” she said. “Someone was always there to support me. Moore does a good job of helping out their students and there are lots of opportunities to take advantage of.”

Moore College of Art & Design is the first and only visual arts college for women in the United States and is located in Philadelphia, PA. Learn more about the college here.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Women's College Quiz: The First Woman to Design a US Postage Stamp is a Graduate of Which College?

Answer: In 1934, Esther Richards, a 1921 graduate of Moore College of Art & Design, with a degree in Illustration, designed a US Postage Stamp that was first issued on October 8, 1934. The 10-cent stamp was one in a series of stamps celebrating our National Parks and displayed a view of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Interesting to note, the stamp had the highest value in the series and also was the last stamp of the series with 18,874,300 stamps issued.

Learn about other US stamps first issued in 1934 here.
 

Learn more about Moore College here. Learn more about Moore's Illustration program here.

Monday, February 17, 2014

What Are Women's Colleges Like?

Mark Gathercole is a professional university advisor and for over 18-years, Mark has helped numerous students find their ideal college. Below are Mark's thoughts concerning women's colleges.

"There are lots of advantages to attending a women's college. According to research, women's college graduates achieve at a higher level in their careers, earn more in salary, have longer lasting relationships with classmates, and have a higher level of loyalty to their colleges. There tends to be greater opportunity for women in these colleges, as well; the vast majority of leadership positions in coed colleges are held by men, where obviously 100% of leadership positions in women's colleges are held by women. Equally obviously, 100% of research opportunities at women's colleges are open only to women.

But what about men on campus? While some women's colleges don't have many men on campus, others that are situated near coed schools routinely see men on campus, either taking classes there or just visiting. Besides, can you think of a bigger "guy magnet" than a college full of women? 


Even if you've never considered a women's college, keep your mind open to the idea and do some research, including asking questions of current students."

While Mark's practice is based in Cannonsburg, MI, he works with students from all over the world.To learn more about his services, visit his Web site.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Research Findings: Why Women’s Colleges?: Reassessing the Benefits of Single-Sex Higher Education for Women.

Teresa Wisner graduated from Wellesley College in 2013 with her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Sociology. Teresa's Honors Thesis: Why Women’s Colleges?: Reassessing the Benefits of Single-Sex Higher Education for Women is insightful and one I feel you will enjoy reading. Here’s the abstract:

Abstract
"In the United States today, young women have access to virtually all of the country’s best colleges and universities. However, research suggests that single-sex education may still be beneficial to women in ways that co-education is not. Women’s colleges encourage students to pursue non-traditional career paths, offer more female role models and mentoring opportunities, provide more leadership experiences on campus, and cultivate generally supportive campus environments in which students develop social and academic self-confidence. In this study, I examine the experiences of female students at two women’s colleges and two co-educational colleges and find that women’s college students differ from their peers as prospective students in that they are more likely to be seeking academically challenging environments. After arriving on campus, they are more likely to report positive social experiences and interactions with diversity during their first year, though this difference is eliminated in subsequent years. They are also more likely to hold leadership positions and somewhat more likely to switch to and persist in STEM fields. I suggest that women’s colleges still offer real benefits to their students, and that co-educational colleges should look to them as effective models of how to support both male and female students on their campuses."

Continue reading here.
 

About Wellesley College

Wikipedia Reference:

"Wellesley College is a private women's liberal-arts college in the town of Wellesley, Massachusetts, United States, west of Boston. Founded in 1870, Wellesley is a member of the original Seven Sisters Colleges and is consistently ranked among the top 10 liberal arts colleges in the United States. In 2011, The Best 376 Colleges named Wellesley’s faculty number one in the country.[2] The College enrolls approximately 2,400 students from all 50 states and 75 countries"


To learn more about the college, visit Wellesley’s Web site.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Women’s Colleges are Where Women Come First

Isn’t it time to consider attending a women’s college?

As an example, let’s take a look at Smith College and why Smith is a college for women. (The following is from Smith's Web site.)
 

Smith College was founded at a time when there were practically no choices for women who wanted an education equal to that available to men. The idea of such a college was a radical notion in 1871, but its success has been dramatic and undeniable. And for more than 130 years, Smith has stayed true to its mission of providing women with the best education available in the liberal arts and sciences.

Today, of course, women have many options, but we have only become more convinced that, for many women, a women’s college is the best option. Providing the academic challenge, personal attention and wide-ranging opportunities you’d look for in any college are still our most important goals, but, as a women’s college, we think Smith offers some special bonuses.

It’s a fact that students who spend more time with professors do better academically and are more sure of their career choices.


At Smith, women are the focus of all the attention and all the opportunities.


Having a wide variety of female role models tends to boost the aspirations and career achievements of female college students. More than half of the professors at Smith are women as are many top administrators. Our alumnae are leaders in many fields.


At Smith, faculty and alumnae offer outstanding role models.

 
Leadership experience in college provides training and encouragement for leadership positions in your life, your community and your profession.


At Smith, all of the leaders are women.

 
Smith offers social and academic exchanges with four nearby colleges, weekend parties and events drawing students from the many colleges in New England and elsewhere and many student organizations, club activities and athletics, all of which makes for a lively life outside of classes.


At Smith, women can have a great social life. (Really!)

 
At Smith, there are no stereotypes about what women should do, but there are unlimited expectations about what women can do. Smith is a great training ground for careers that might still be considered non-traditional for women.


At Smith, any career choice is an appropriate one.

 
More than 46,000 Smith alumnae are ready to help students step into internships and careers. Even the Ivies can’t boast a network of thousands of successful women willing to share inside information about their professions with both undergraduates and other alumnae. It’s a lifetime guarantee!


At Smith, the “old boys’ network” becomes an “ageless women’s network.”

 
Of course, the world is coeducational. But Smith women enter it more confidently than women graduates of coed schools.


After Smith, the future is wide open.

 
Learn More about Smith College or Continue Reading!


Thursday, February 6, 2014

Check Out this Women's College with 2-year and 4-year Degrees


"At Cottey, we have multiple degree options intended to fit your needs. You can complete a Bachelor of Arts degree in four years with any of the following majors - Business, English, Environmental Studies, International Relations and Business, Liberal Arts or Psychology. Graduates of our BA program are well prepared to enter the world of work and for advanced study in graduate or law school. Additionally, Cottey offers two-year, Associate degree options. You can earn an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Fine Arts - Art, Associate in Fine Arts - Dance, Associate in Fine Arts - Theater, or Associate in Arts - Music degree. These degree programs are carefully designed to facilitate transfer to a four-year college or university if you want to complete a major in an area other than one of the majors listed above."

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Why a Women’s College?

"Since 1838, Judson College has been a remarkable place for young women. In a time when women could not vote, own property, or gain custody of their own children, a group of visionaries in Marion, Alabama began making plans to build a school for women that would offer an education comparable to that received by men at Harvard and Yale.

Judson’s founders understood that educating women would not only improve the lives of their students, but would also strengthen families, communities, churches, and society as a whole.

Because women have now achieved greater equality in our society, many people are surprised to learn that research demonstrates that women and men still experience college differently. For example, young women are more likely to underestimate their academic ability, more likely to grow through honest dialogue with professors, and more likely to benefit from moving away from home for college than are young men."


Continue reading here.

Monday, February 3, 2014

Going Strong at this Women's College . . .

"More than one hundred years ago, Meredith College opened with just over 200 women. Today, our student body has grown to include nearly 2,000 students, including men who are part of our graduate programs. All learn to enhance their strengths, broaden their perspectives, and prepare for lives of impact and distinction. All going strong."

Learn more here.