A Smithie's Guide to Downtown Northampton

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The many benefits of a women’s college

“My mom is a Mount Holyoke alum, so growing up I never thought of women’s colleges as being different from any other school. I looked at several women’s colleges when applying along with other co-ed universities. It came down to this school giving me the best quality of education for the amount of money I was offered, but the close-knit community at Mount Holyoke really pulled me in. I really forged an identity here and have grown so much stronger in voicing my opinions, and I think I owe it to my school encouraging self-determination, supportiveness, and never fearing change,” Jessica, class of 2018, recently told Her Campus.

Continue reading here. 

7 Misconceptions About Going To A Women’s College by Katherine Craig

This Stephens College student, Katherine Craig, wrote a fantastic blog post: 7 Misconceptions About Going To A Women’s College.

1. Since there are no boys here we never “try” in the morning. Please. First of all, I get ready and I dress up for ME, not for any boy. Also, let’s be honest, girls usually try to impress other girls more than they try to impress guys. Girls will notice what you wear more than guys will. It's a great feeling knowing that the campus is abuzz about your fashion choice of the day.

Continue reading here.

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Merry Christmas!

Smith College's Christmas Vespers Video

Christmas Vespers was held on Sunday, December 6th on Smith College campus. Watch the video here.

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ASC Holiday Card 2015

Best early Christmas present ever . . .

"I've been accepted to my top choice and I couldn't be happier or more excited."

#Repost @akittermiester with @repostapp.

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Simmons Wonderland

Salem Holiday Greeting 2015

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Happy Holidays from Meredith College!

Carol of the Bells, performed by the Hi Cs

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Happy Birthday Ada Louise Comstock!

Ada attended Smith College, Class of 1897 and was a life-long advocate for women's education. Learn more about how Ada was a never-ending champion and advocate.

Ada Comstock returning for her 25th reunion in 1922.
[Faculty Biographical Files, Ada Comstock Papers]

Smith College honors Ada today with via the The Ada Comstock Scholars Program. This program is designed for women of non-traditional age to campus. Check out the video below.

Strong Story | Lindsay Parlberg

"Lindsay Parlberg, ’15, is the first woman in Meredith’s history to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. Her diverse internships and research experiences have helped her decide what area of public health she wants to pursue and have prepared her for a professional position in the public health field."

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I LOVE this quote from a college-bound high school girl!

"I'm interested in bulking up my college list with more women's colleges as I have started loving the idea of attending one."

Yes indeed! It's a growing trend. Read my HuffPost blog post, New College Cool: Women's Colleges and you too will understand why. Women's colleges are the best kept secret in higher education today - but don't let that stop you from attending one!

  
New College Cool: Women's Colleges 
by Diane Propsner

With the influx of college-bound high school girls applying to women's colleges, colleges for women are becoming the new college cool.

Now, some of you young ladies might be thinking, "No way, not for me, I had enough girl drama in high school." (An understandable sentiment held by many who ultimately decide to attend a women's college, I might add.) The girls who changed their minds took the time to see if a single-sex college was right for them. Those that decided it was the best fit say it's the best decision they've ever made.

So why is there an increased interest in women's colleges? And how do I know that the women who decided to attend are thrilled that they did?

For the past two-years I've connected with women's colleges across the country as well as with their future students, current students, and recent alumnae intending to blog about my findings. During this time I learned about the many wonderful things going on in the world of women's colleges, all contributing to this cool influx.

Learning about new facilities, buildings and/or residence halls being built or renovated to accommodate new and future students was inspirational. Hearing about the extraordinary support provided by alumnae, by generously giving of their money and/or time, was remarkable. Seeing women's colleges cement their relevant for future generations of women by continuing to add new areas of study or update current programs makes me proud to be an advocate of women's colleges.

Speaking with students, they shared their stories and dreams with me as they entered college or progressed as students. Each has a unique personality; some are confident and outgoing, while others are more shy and reserved. What they have in common is that they are academically focused, mature, and fairly independent. In the end, regardless of their individual stories, dreams or personality, they are all amazing!

When I speak with recent alumnae, they all say the same thing; they felt well prepared to continue on to graduate school or launch a career after graduation. Many credit their alma mater as being the place where they found their voices and only now do they truly appreciate the many advantages of attending a women's college. As they reflect upon their college selection process, they realize that they would have missed out on a fantastic opportunity had they not included women's colleges on their campus visit list.

Continue reading here.

YEA! Barnard will have first endowed computer science chair in 2017, laying groundwork for future department

This is such exciting news from Barnard College!

Barnard will have its first endowed computer science department chair by 2017.

Barnard lacks a computer science department, but the college raised $3 million to fund a chair specifically for the discipline that will ultimately lay the groundwork for a department. The chair announcement comes as Barnard increases its efforts to incorporate more science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into its curriculum.

Barnard students currently looking to major in computer science must do so through Columbia. Barnard only offers co-curricular digital design classes at the Athena Center that cannot be taken for credit. . . .

In keeping with this commitment, the Teaching & Learning Center will feature a number of interactive technological spaces for students, including a computer science laboratory.

“The classroom spaces are going to be fabulous for promoting the kinds of courses that allow us to be at the cutting edge of digital technology today,” Bell said. “I think it doesn’t just speak to the CS issue. It speaks to changing the way pedagogy is done at Barnard, creating opportunities for really creative, even greater opportunities, I would say, for creative and innovative pedagogy.”

Continue reading, Barnard will have first endowed computer science chair in 2017, laying groundwork for future department.

If you love big cities, this women's college' beautiful campus is located in NYC!

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Alexa Hampton, Interior Designer

Randi Bellamy // 2015 Visionary Woman Scholar

Interested in Illustration? Meet Katie Brubaker

Cool Vintage Logo

From the archive of  Moore College of Art & Design: Logo illustration by Gladys Smith, used on the School Catalogue from 1917-1918. 

Today, Moore College is a college for women devoted to teaching art and design and to educating women for lifelong learning and involvement in the visual arts.

Located in Philadelphia, visit the campus to learn more or meet other students, alumna and faculty online.

And I love the history of the college:

Founded by Sarah Worthington Peter in 1848, Moore College of Art & Design is the first and only women’s visual arts college in the nation. Established as the Philadelphia School of Design for Women, the College continues to thrive on the promise of empowering women to achieve financial independence by providing a high-quality, career-focused education. 

Today, Moore celebrates its rich legacy. Sarah Worthington Peter's original vision continues to drive the College’s mission to educate women for careers in the visual arts. Though our first major was textile design—established during the Industrial Revolution, of which Philadelphia was the center—the College now offers 10 BFA programs including Art Education, Art History, Curatorial Studies, Fashion Design, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interior Design, Interactive & Motion Arts and Photography & Digital Arts.

 In recent years, we have expanded our curriculum to include Post-Baccalaureate programs in addition to continuing education programs for adults and youth. In 2009, Moore introduced coeducational graduate level programs.

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. 

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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.

 

Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! 

I'm Giving Thanks for Everything!

Including, Stephens College for this fantastic video!

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Photo Credit: Anna Carpenter '19

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."

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.

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Photo Credit: Janet Si-Ming Lee

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Photo Credit: Professor Jim Diedrick

Fashion! Fashion! Fashion!

More fashion at Moore College of Art & Design - Philadelphia, PA

Video: “You went to an all women’s college? Why? Why not?!”

I know you'll enjoy this video from Mount Holyoke College, “You went to an all women’s college? Why? Why not?!”

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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.

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.

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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.

"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!!!!

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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.

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.

 

 

 

 

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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

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).

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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!

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