Progress on AAUW Student Organization at K-State
December 2, 2015
Kansas State University is one step closer to joining the community of 80+ colleges and universities that have AAUW student organizations, thanks to the leadership of Manhattan branch members Annelise Nguyen, Glenda Leung, and Barbara Gatewood. A campus-wide informational meeting for students was held on December 2, 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. in the Leadership Studies Building. Sixteen undergraduate and graduate students attended the meeting. Participants were introduced to AAUW, benefits of membership, and plans for starting a student organization. Annelise and Glenda will serve as co-advisors for the student organization.
Dr. Glenda Leung (left) and students
The meeting opened with welcoming remarks by the advisors and co-president Karen Tinkler. An overview of our history and mission was given by Barbara Gatewood along with the viewing of AAUW videos,now readily accessible on the branch website homepage sidebar. Annelise and Glenda effectively engaged students in breakout groups to address questions on the status of women in the workplace, leadership, STEM education, and social issues. Students explored how AAUW is making a difference in these key areas. They also were asked to identify current issues of interest. Among those noted were gender violence, maternity leave, wage gap, how the media portrays women, race relations, reproductive rights, and exploitation of laborers in 3rd world countries. Mary Stamey encouraged students to attend the talk by international leader Noorjahan Akbar on March 8, International Women’s Day. Membership materials were provided by Patricia Floros. Students enjoyed refreshments and a casual, enthusiastic, and interactive atmosphere.
Dr. Glenda Leung (left) and students
The success of the first informational meeting was attributed to the careful planning by branch members and overwhelming support from AAUW National and K-State campus units. Paige Robnett (robnettp@aauw.org), AAUW Campus Leadership Programs, provided a wealth of resources (www.aauw.org/resources/ ) that are helpful when starting an AAUW student organization (FAQs, Tools, and How to Form an AAUW Student Organization). She encourages students to join the official AAUW student org Facebook group to get updates from the National office and connect with student leaders across the country. Cassie Bartley (site-resources@aauw.org) and Katie Kingery-Page assisted with website and video updates. Many K-State women’s organization sent out our email and poster Calling All Women Students! (https://manhattan-ks.aauw.net/k-state/events/ . Special appreciation is extended to Leadership Studies, Women’s Studies, and Women of K-State for sending out electronic meeting announcements and to branch member and First Lady Noel Schulz (@kstate_1stlady) for tweeting on November 30 to her 3,413 followers: “AAUW Student Org forming – Pls direct ? to manhattanksaauw@gmail.com”.
At the conclusion of the meeting, all of the students raised their hands when asked if they were interested in starting an AAUW student organization at K-State; and 7 students indicated they were interested in taking leadership roles! An organizational meeting is planned for January at the beginning of the spring semester. The next steps are electing officers, writing bylaws, and registering the student organization on campus and at National. For more information, contact: Annelise Nguyen (785-532-4431, tnguyen@vet.k-state.edu) or Glenda Leung (785-532-2125, glendaleung@ksu.edu).
AAUW Student Organization Forming at K-State
December 2015
K-State Women Students:
Are you a college student passionate about women’s issues such as gender fairness, pay equity, individual rights, social justice for a diverse society, and educational and career advancement? Want to make change on K-State’s campus and network with leaders, mentors, and friends? Do you want to meet like-minded women students who are ready to take a stand for women’s equality, gain leadership skills, and connect with national community of 80 AAUW student organizations and 170,000 members? Look no further than student membership in AAUW and working with us in starting a student organization on K-State’s campus.
The AAUW Manhattan Branch invites all K-State undergraduate and graduate students to an Informational Meeting on December 2, 4:30-6:00 p.m. in the Leadership Studies Building, Rm. 127. Branch members will help you explore our rich history, benefits of membership, and plans to start a student chapter. We also encourage you to join the official AAUW student org Facebook group to get updates from the National office and connect with student leaders across the country. Because K-State is an official university partner, all undergraduates can obtain a free National membership just by signing up online or by coming to the meeting.
As the premiere women’s organization in the United States, AAUW has made significant strides in increasing the equity, educational, professional, and leadership opportunities, since its founding in 1881. It also is one of the major sources of collegiate funding for women, awarding about $4 million annually. Membership in AAUW will enable you to join the legacy of women who have changed and will change the world.
Please direct questions to manhattanksaauw@gmail.com
Looking forward to meeting and working with you!
Glenda Leung, Ph.D.
Annelise Nguyen, Ph.D.
AAUW Faculty Advisors
AAUW Manhattan Branch
Dancing with Art
April 2015
Laura Donnelly’s dance students gave an intriguing in‐gallery performance at the Beach Museum on April 9 as part of the events for Dinner & A Mid‐Night Snack, an exhibit co‐curated by Katie Kingery‐Page and Thomas Bell. Each student created a unique modern dance inspired by a self‐selected artwork. By combining the visual and performing arts, the aesthetic experience was synergistically enhanced. It was a wonderful opportunity for AAUW members to collaborate professionally. The smiles on all of the students reflect on the benefits of these types of learning experiences. So much innovative collaboration is taking place on K‐State’s campus today, bringing together faculty in seemingly unrelated disciplines, making us realize how interconnected our world really is! The exhibition will be open until July 12, 2015.
Ten New Student E-Affiliates Joined During Welcome Week
August 2014
Barbara Gatewood and Janet Skochdopole had a wonderful experience promoting AAUW and meeting young women at the K‐State Union, Aug. 28 during Welcome Week. Ten E‐student affiliates were recruited from a wide range of majors. “As we spoke to students,” Janet said, “we recognized how relevant AAUW can be in providing encouragement for young women to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. The organization also provides a valuable opportunity for women in STEM to connect with other women having interests similar to their own.” Many of the students also expressed an interest in helping with the formation of the new student organization.
Janet, AAUW Fellowship and Grants subteam chair, talked with the students about AAUW educational funding opportunities, resources, programs, and student benefits. A free E‐student affiliate membership is open to all full‐time K‐State undergraduates because the university is an official AAUW university partner. Students can sign up online at www.aauw.org or a member can complete the application with the pertinent contact information (name, address, phone, and email) and academic information (degree sought and graduation date).
Smiles of Appreciation for Finals Weeks Goody Bags
May 2014
Scholarship House women look forward to enjoying Finals Week snacks
K-State students in the Clovia and Smurthwaite Scholarship Houses enjoyed the Finals Week Goody Bags prepared by the Manhattan Branch in May as a new activity for promoting AAUW.
About 120 bags, filled with delicious snacks and student membership brochures, were assembled by the branch and delivered to the students by our College/University (C/U) Representative, Kerri Keller.
Jean Lee and Nancy Bolsen prepare Finals Week Goody Bags
It was a great way to introduce these outstanding students to AAUW, recognize their achievements, and inform them about the E-student affiliate and Give a Grad a Gift membership options. Because K-State is an official C/U partner, all University undergraduates can join free online at www.aauw.org.
The Goody Bags were made possible through the very generous donation of snack items by Hy-Vee, Dillons, Ray’s Apple Market, and Wal-Mart. A specials thanks is given to the store managers and staff who took time to meet with us to discuss AAUW and help select a variety of appropriate items.
We hope to build upon this activity to better inform students about AAUW’s mission, member benefits, programs, and educational funding opportunities.