institutional AWARDS

Distinguished Institution Award  for Institutions Enrolling more than 10,000 Students  --  The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois has developed a rich array of programs, policies, and practices to support, nurture and develop women at all levels of the organization.  The University of Illinois truly serves as an exemplary institution committed to identifying, advancing, and developing the leadership of women at the university, the community and the world. 
It is next to impossible to summarize their 88 page submission which chronicles all the initiatives the University has planned and implemented over the years; however, here are some of the reasons INWHE wishes to recognize the U of I as a Distinguished Institution for 2009.

Women in Leadership Positions

• Of the 849 tenured full professors, 163 are women (19.2 %)
• Of the 17 deans, 4 are women (23.5%)
• Of the 5 chancellors and vice chancellors, 2 are women (40%)

Professional Development Activities

The University supports numerous faculty and staff leadership programs that support women.  The Council on Gender Equity was created to address local equity and diversity issues that promote excellence in higher education at the university.  Specifically, the Council set as its highest priority the improvement of faculty recruitment processes; the Council initiated a lecture series focused on improving gender equity; and the council organized workshops on faculty development.   

Recently President Joseph B. White recognized six women faculty as University Scholars.  The University Scholar designation symbolizes the University’s commitment to foster outstanding faculty members and their work.

The University submitted a National Science Foundation ADVANCE grant to improve faculty recruitment. 

And the University has been instrumental in supporting the Illinois Network of Women in Higher Education.

Women’s or Gender Studies

“Gender and Women’s Studies is a vibrant interdisciplinary academic program that coordinates a wide range of research, teaching and public service activities emphasizing intersectional approaches to the study of gender, race, class, ethnicity and sexuality in national and transnational contexts…[the program] has grown from a half-time director in a small office to its current status of 16 core faculty and 70 faculty affiliates representing nine different schools and colleges and 32 departments and programs…[the program] has always been committed to community service and outreach and has developed especially strong ties to the racialized communities and ethnic studies program son the Urbana-Champaign campus…”

Formal or Informal Institutional Practices

U of I hosts a Biennial Conference for Women “draws an intergenerational assembly of women from all paths of life... The conference provides a complete educational experience for women from all walks of life.  Nearly 3,500 women from the Central Illinois region attended the 2008 Conference.”

Other notable programs include:

• The Illinois women’s Connection, a network for professional alumni
• The Women in Chemistry Program, designed to address recruitment, retention and advancement of women in the sciences
• The Society for Women in Physics, a network for women students in the physics department
• Women in Architecture, a forum for support women in another predominantly male profession
• Women in Math, Science and Engineering, one of seven Living/Learning Communities in the University Residence Halls, designed to foster community among women who major in predominantly male-dominated fields of study
• 35 of the 1,000 registered student organizations on campus are devoted to supporting women and women’s issues.  They include the Battered Women’s Awareness, the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance, Four Walls and a Roof Project, the Society of Women Engineers, and Women of Color.
• The Women’s Resources Center, responsible for improving the campus climate for women by addressing women’s issues and gender related concerns
• Girls’ Adventures in Mathematics, Engineering and Sciences (GAMES), a residential annual week-long summer camp for middle school girls
• Girls Engaged in Math and Science (GEMS), a program for middle school girls to engage them in math and science oriented careers
• Engineers without Borders, a non-profit humanitarian organization established to partner with developing communities worldwide to improve quality of life.

Testimonials

“I joined the Illinois faculty as an assistant professor in 1993 with plans to advance scholarship and education in my field and no intentions of pursuing leadership in higher education.  As my own career advanced at Illinois, however, leadership and learning opportunities in the institutions were provided, for example invitations to engage in key campus committees and initiatives.  I became an Associate Dean for my college; a Vice Provost for Academic Affairs. Now I am the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. I am personally and professionally honored to have had the opportunity to make these moves at Illinois, and deeply grateful for the confidence that the institution has shown in me to provide such a rich array of leadership challenges in a single institution.” 

Ruth V. Watkins
Harry E Preble Dean
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

“Central to my experience --  indeed, central to most leaders’ experience --  the value of mentorship cannot be understated… I feel extremely fortunate to have received strong mentorship and opportunities during my career at Illinois.  This was not only afforded by wise and supportive colleagues, but by an institutional culture that values excellence and the strong contributions that can be provided by women leaders.”

Kelly A Tappenden, Ph.D., R.D.
Associate Dean, Graduate College
Professor of Nutrition and Gastrointestinal Physiology