by Chelsea Nelson
Interactive Communications Director

On the 30th of this month, United Way of Salt Lake will host the Women and Education Summit at the Little America Hotel. Studies show that college enrollment figures for Utah women have steadily declined since the early 1990’s. As a result, the gap between women and men graduating has grown to 6 percent—no other state has a gap this size. Consequently, Utah women currently earn only 69 cents for every dollar men earn—the highest disparity in the country. This half-day Summit will address these challenges and offer solutions that companies, schools, and communities across the state can implement to move the needle on the number of young women completing post-secondary education.

October 30, 2012
7:30 – 8:00 a.m. | Registration
8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Summit
Little America Hotel
Grand Ballroom | 500 South Main Street
Cost: $35 – includes breakfast & lunch

RSVP by October 21, 2012

Please join us for great speakers and topics!

Several noteworthy members of the community and Utah’s education system will speak at the event, including:

  • Matthew S. Holland, President, Utah Valley University
  • Jose Enriquez, Founder and Executive Director, Latinos in Action
  • Martin Bates, Superintendent, Granite School District
  • Melissa Miller Kincart, Assistant Commissioner, Outreach and Access, Utah System of Higher Education
  • Susan Madsen Ph.D., Founder of the Utah Women and Education Project and the Orin R. Woodbury Professor of Leadership and Ethics, Utah Valley University
  • Cecelia Foxley Ph.D., Former Utah Commissioner of Higher Education and Higher Education Consultant

Breakout sessions will feature such topics as:

  • A Male Perspective: Explore the important role that men in various sectors (business, religious, & schools) play in supporting and influencing women to succeed in completing post-secondary education.
  • Building Self-Worth: Understand the impact of self-esteem in this process and hear how local leaders are changing the perception of what is possible by creating a supportive college-going environment.
  • Preparation and Readiness: Learn about the various tools, resources, and initiatives that are available to ensure that students are financially prepared for college and post-secondary success.
  • A Student Perspective: Students from various grades and backgrounds will share stories about impactful moments and key elements that have shaped their experience on the road to post-secondary success.
  • Strategy Sessions: Hear about specific strategies and experiences that can be augmented and replicated in your own community and brainstorm how you can get involved in moving the needle on the number of young women completing post-secondary education.

We hope you will join us!