Xavier University

WOX on the Cutting Edge

If Oprah Winfrey and O! Magazine are correct in their analysis of the recent growth of women's giving circles, then it must be true that Xavier University and the Women of Excellence Giving Circle are on the cutting edge. In a recent article about women's giving circles in O! Magazine, Rachel Lehman-Haupt explains "when women band together ... life just seems to get better." She goes on to describe women's giving circles as "some of the most innovative and extraordinary girl groups since Diana Ross and the Supremes."

While the current members of the Women of Excellence giving circle have no plans to take their show on the road, there is no doubt that there is something good happening within the group. Since June, there have been several small gatherings hosted by excellent women who want to spread the word about new ways to support Xavier, to become actively engaged in their own philanthropic decisions and to get to know a wonderful group of women. The Giving Circle is welcoming new members for its inaugural year through April 1, 2009. To learn more about this exciting new way in which women are choosing to impact Xavier, or if you are interested in attending one of our events in the spring, contact Leigh Ann Fibbe at 513-745-3969 or fibbe@xavier.edu.

Distinguished Speaker Series

The Distinguished Speakers Series brings top-level business, academic and political leaders to Xavier's campus to discuss world issues, introduce new ideas, generate discussion and further the educational mission of the university. Additionally, students, faculty, alumni and audience members have the opportunity to interact with the speaker at each event. Women of Excellence will once again partner with the Williams College of Business and host Janet Butler Reid, PhD as the featured speaker on March 24, 2009.

Reid is co- founder and principal partner of Global Lead. Prior to starting her own business, Reid spent ten years with Procter & Gamble, where she acquired a broad range of experience in research and product development, packaging, manufacturing, sales, advertising and human resources management. She has been a consultant to Boards of Directors, CEOs, Presidents, corporate managers, non-management staff, government leaders and union personnel. Throughout her 17-year career, Reid has been a leader in developing successful diversity skills and awareness programs and teaching the benefits of effectively managing a diverse work force to clients in the private, public and nonprofit sectors. (www.globallead.com)

Reid's morning session for the Women of Excellence will focus on the challenges and issues of women around the world and how to live and lead in an environment where cultural dexterity is necessity for today's leaders.

Details about registration for this event will be released at a later date. Contact Norah Mock at 513-745-3573.

Save the Date

The Xavier Women's MBA Association invites you to attend their speaker series featuring inspiring female leaders in the Cincinnati business community.

Julia Poston, Audit Partner at Ernst & Young
Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009
5:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.
Schiff Conference Center, rooms 4 and 5.

To register or for more information, contact membership_xwmba@xavier.edu.

Partnership with
Career Services Center

The partnership created between WOX and Career Services is an important factor in the success of the new campus wide mentoring program. Bethany Kilagore, Assistant Director, Experiential Education and Mentoring with the Career Services Center, reports that 58% of all mentors have been identified through Women of Excellence. At focus groups held two years ago, Xavier and Edgecliff alumnae identified mentoring as a way they wished to become involved with the university. They believed they had a wealth of experiences, knowledge and skills to share with a student mentee and help promote the student's personal, professional and academic growth. Mentors are still needed and it is not necessary to live in the Cincinnati area to become a mentor. Many successful mentor relationships are handled through e-mail and phone communication. If you are interested in becoming a mentor, sign up on the WOX web site. If you have questions, please contact Kathann Koehler at 513-745-3582.

Getting Back to Business?

Professional women hold leadership positions in companies representing every industry segment, and many balance both professional and personal commitments during their careers. While a professional may never lose her skill set, a prolonged absence from the workforce can create a difficult environment for women who wish to return to their careers.

In a partnership with Women of Excellence and the Xavier Leadership Center, the Williams College of Business presents "Back to Business," a professional development program designed specifically for women who want to return to the workplace. The 12-day program provides current business updates, transitional assistance and key networking opportunities with other high-potential peers, to help women return to a leadership position. It includes classroom and break-out group facilitated classes on leading-edge topics of current managerial concern, and sessions oriented towards career planning and facilitating career reentry. The 2009 program is scheduled to begin February 9.

For more information or to request an application, call 513-745-4213, e-mail pdc@xavier.edu or visit www.xavier.edu/backtobusiness to download an application.

Young Alumnae Learn about Dressing for Excellence

Women of Excellence sponsored its first event for the young alumnae of Xavier at Banana Republic in Rookwood on Sunday, Oct. 19. Local image expert Jill Haney presented on the importance of appearance and how to dress for success on a young alum's budget. The store was open exclusively for Xavier alumnae, and those in attendance received a 20 percent discount on all purchases made that evening. Do you have ideas for other young alumnae events or programs? Contact Erin Swietlik, Director for Young Alumni Programming, at swietlik@xavier.edu.

>> View a photo gallery from the event.

Women's Center Offers Program for First Generation Students

Project Advance is a program designed to assist first generation college women in exploring the possibility of graduate school, networking with and gaining guidance from mentors, and learning practical techniques, strategies and requirements for applying to graduate school. Students involved in the program also participate in extracurricular activities to establish a network of peer and mentor support to succeed in undergraduate endeavors and possible graduate school aspirations.

Project Advance speaks to the Xavier University mission by striving to adequately prepare first generation college women to seek their intellectual goals while grounding their reflections in discernment. Students will reflect about their strengths and how those passions are translated into the work we do. Project Advance is funded through Jesuit Network for Equitable Excellence in Higher Education and is coordinated by Women's Center Director Jennifer Wies and Kristin Hoff, a student in the doctorate of psychology program.

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