Monday, November 30, 2015

Case study reveals how Agnes Scott College overcame challenges as the first nonprofit to produce solar power through Georgia Power’s Advanced Solar Initiative

Even more exciting news, this time about solar energy and Agnes Scott College!

"Southface Energy Institute and Agnes Scott College released a case study that reveals how the college became the first nonprofit institution to produce solar power through the Georgia Power Advanced Solar Initiative (GPASI). This case study, funded by the Turner Foundation, offers specific insight into creative approaches to overcome the challenges to solar power projects. The publication will assist not only colleges and universities struggling to provide renewable energy on campus but also nonprofit organizations that lack the upfront resources to fund solar initiatives.

Located in Decatur, Georgia, Agnes Scott is a nonprofit liberal arts college for women that recently celebrated its 125th anniversary. In January 2015, the college completed the installation of five solar photovoltaic arrays, which now produce 342,200 kW hours per year which is enough clean, carbon-free energy to power 31 average-sized U.S. homes. The arrays are part of the college’s plan to reduce its carbon footprint and become carbon neutral by 2037."


Continue reading here. 

Friday, November 27, 2015

NIH Invests $626,000 in Converse Biomedical Research Program

More exciting news, this time from Converse College!

"The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded more than $626,000 to Converse College in support of biomedical science research and student training. Converse will use the funds for research initiatives, enhancements to laboratories and equipment, and expansion of K-12 outreach."

Continue reading here.

 

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! 
I'm Giving Thanks for Everything!
Including, Stephens College for this fantastic video!

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Spelman Leads Pioneering Genetics and Genealogy Program with Students Tracing Ancestry

So exciting!!

I saw this Facebook post and wanted to share:

"LEADING the WAY: Spelman leads pioneering genetics and genealogy program that allows students to trace their ancestry. The College will be part of a companion program to the new "Finding Your Roots" curriculum based on Harvard University professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr.’s acclaimed PBS documentary series. The college-level component, "Personalized Genetics and Genealogy Exercises to Enhance Introductory Biology Courses," funded with a $304,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, will launch in fall 2016. It will be led by Spelman biologist Aditi Pai, Ph.D. More on this exciting work here."

Monday, November 23, 2015

5 Generations Of Grads On Why Women-Only Colleges Still Matter

"When we asked women why they chose this school, the answers varied by generation. Women who attended in the '80s or later — when co-ed options were multiplying — were more likely to say they hadn't sought out single-sex education.

“I chose Sweet Briar because I really liked Sweet Briar, not because I specifically wanted to attend a women’s college,” said Margaretta Colangelo, class of 1987 and now the president of U1 Technologies.

Amelia Currin, who started at Sweet Briar this fall, agreed. “I liked the academics; I liked how the professors really care about their students,” she said.“If I went to a big university, I really wouldn’t get that one-on-one attention."

For Juliette Arnheim, class of 1961, however, Sweet Briar was one of a limited number of options open to her in the 1950s. A Tennessee native, her choice was either the University of Tennessee or a women’s college. Since she didn't want to go a large state school, Sweet Briar it was."


Continue reading 5 Generations Of Grads On Why Women-Only Colleges Still Matter.

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

YEA! University of Saint Joseph Graduates Exceed Salary Expectations

Women's colleges provide great value to their graduates!

Sharing a recent news report video that included a local women’s college; the reporter says that the University of Saint Joseph graduates exceed salary expectations!

“The Economist analyzed 1,275 institutions and found Saint Joseph grads may be in for a pleasant surprise – the median income for graduates here is nearly $50,000 that’s $9800 more than undergraduates expected and it’s the best in the state.”
— Matthew Campbell, WFSB Reporter

Watch the news report in the video below.

Check out Connecticut’s only women’s college: University of Saint Joseph located in West Hartford, here.

Monday, November 16, 2015

Hunting for Meteorites in Antarctica

This 2001 women’s college graduate was recently selected to join a small group that will “hunt for meteorites” in Antarctica.

Meet Nina Lanza astronomy major from Smith College. Nina also earned her master’s degree in earth and environmental sciences from Wesleyan University and her doctoral degree in earth and planetary sciences the University of New Mexico. Nina is employed as a staff scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory, part of the Space and Remote Sensing group. Learn more about Nina and her work here.

How exciting Nina! Congratulations and Best Wishes!

Learn more about Smith College here and/or their Astronomy program here.

Friday, November 13, 2015

5 Misconceptions About Women's Colleges by Sara Hubaishi

"As a junior liberal arts major at an all-women's college, I can say that I've heard all of the run-of-the-mill stereotypes when it comes to students at my type of colleges. From having my university called "hippy dippy" to being told to love men more, the things I hear from people make me want to cry.

Don't rely on myths and misconceptions. A women's college is home to independent, fearless women."


Continue reading, 5 Misconceptions About Women's Colleges.

Sara Hubaishi is attending Brenau University Women’s College located in Gainesville, GA.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

"Employers seek out women who to go women's colleges because of their leadership potential."

 Jo Parente Martin, Director of Employer Relations at Mount Holyoke College said:

"Employers seek out women who to go women's colleges because of their leadership potential.

Not only are companies and graduate schools recruiting women’s college graduates heavily, they’re also starting early. It’s not uncommon for companies to offer opportunities for our students as soon as the first year. High profile financial institutions have provided our students access to onsite visits, informational sessions, and professional development opportunities long before students launch a job search. We are also seeing recruiters in the technology sector looking for our sophomores to join special summer programs aimed at developing young talent.

This trend is likely to continue—and a women’s college is the place to be when it comes to snagging such an opportunity. The bottom line? Earning a top-notch education at a women’s college opens doors in ways that might not be obvious at first glance. Don’t be afraid to make a different—and gutsy—choice and then watch it pay off!"


Continue reading here.

(Jo graduated from another women's college, Cedar Crest College with a B.A., Political Science and History.)

Women's Colleges Rock!!!!


Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Dance Majors . . .


Congratulating Alexis Collins ’15 from Stephens College for being accepted into the Alvin Ailey Summer Intensive Program.

Best wishes! This is so exciting!!!

Read more here.

Learn more about Stephens' Dance Program here.

Monday, November 9, 2015

Fun Traditionas are Found at Women's Colleges

Cornhuskin’ is a Meredith College tradition and one I want to experience.

Held last week, it’s a week-long celebration that students and alumnae enjoy!! (Yes, it’s not unusual for Meredith graduates return to campus so they can join the celebration.) - Remember sisterhood is BIG at women’s colleges. Alumnae keep in touch with classmates and love getting involved with students.

Below are several photos from the Cornhuskin’ 2015 Parade.
 
 
 
 

Friday, November 6, 2015

Her College Story: Budding Scientist Chooses a Women’s College


Budding Scientist Chooses a Women’s College
By Mercedes Adame
Scripps College
Class:  2018
Major: Human Biology Major (Pre-Med)


As a high school student, I had a solid idea as to what career I wanted to pursue. The activities I was involved in such as working at Kaiser Permanente and conducting research at Children’s Hospital, along with my community’s health issues, shaped the current goals I have. I knew from the start that my ultimate goal was to become a physician because I wanted to directly address the needs of my community.

However, when I revealed my future plans to my community members, I was disappointed and shocked to receive discouraging comments. I was told that it would be very difficult for a woman of color to achieve this profession. Family friends, teachers, and fellow classmates cited discouraging acceptance rates for Hispanic women in medical schools. Although they were stating facts, I expected differently of my community. I expected them to tell me that as a Mexican woman, I would be able to become a physician. I expected them to tell me that I should break barriers and to prove the statistics of the Association of American Medical Colleges incorrect.

Therefore, I searched for an environment where women interested in pursuing careers in the sciences would be supported. I wanted an environment where my opinion would be valued; where I would have women as role models. For this reason, I decided to attend Scripps College.

 As a Scripps College Academy scholar in high school attending summer science camp, I knew that Scripps would be the right place. I knew that Scripps would be a place where I would be able to develop my voice; where I would be confident in expressing my thoughts, fearless of what others might say. At Scripps, I am respected and regarded as a ‘scientist’. I am encouraged and guided. Because of my experiences with SCA, Scripps became my second home.

While participating in the Math and Science Scholars program, I was exposed to Professor Nancy Williams’ research. In her lab, I was able to experience the rigor of the sciences at Scripps. The main focus of her research is to develop new catalysts useful for developing low-carbon fuels. Our particular project focused on the design of a new compound designed to break the chemical bonds in natural gas, in order to produce methanol as a cheap, low-carbon fuel.

Overall, this experience showed me that I was able to ‘do’ college level science. As a result, as a science major, I am glad that I am attending a women’s college!

                                                     © 2015 Mercedes Adame

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Star Trek Fans

Did you know that Diana Muldaur (who played three different roles on Star Trek) also was an alumna of Sweet Briar College (Class of 1960).


Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Biology Majors Rock!

Had to share this Facebook post from Spelman College.

Biology major Kelsey Gallant, C’2018, recently won first-place honors for an oral presentation based on her Harvard University summer research project on breast cancer. Congrats, Kelsey!

Monday, November 2, 2015

Where High School Girls Discover Engineering

Here’s my latest HuffPost blog post: Where High School Girls Discover Engineering. Enjoy!

In today's blog post, I'm spotlighting one such employer-sponsored initiative,
Explore Engineering for High School Women, offered by Sweet Briar College. Hank Yochum, Ph.D., professor and director of the Margaret Jones Wyllie '45 Engineering Program at Sweet Briar, heads up the program.


Now in its eighth year, the all-girls Explore Engineering program has introduced more than 300 high school students to the world of engineering. Attendees participate in hands-on, team-based design projects in an environment where previous engineering experience is not required. 


The program is offered during the school year as a weekend event twice annually in addition to a residential, weeklong summer camp. I included the summer camp version in a previous blog post, All-Girls STEM Camps to Keep in Mind for Next Summer.


The summer camp is always popular, and the weekend event held this year on October 16th and 17th was filled to capacity with a waiting list. In attendance were 28 high school girls from Maryland; Washington, D.C.; Virginia; North Carolina and Texas as they enjoyed the 3,250-acre campus and engineering facilities/classrooms located in Sweet Briar, VA. Below are photos from the October event.


Continue reading here.

Photo Credit: Sweet Briar College/Paulette Porter-Stransky