NC ACE Network for Women: Call for Proposals

Each Spring, the NC ACE Women’s Network hosts an annual conference in keeping with its mission “to develop programs that identify, develop, encourage, advance, link and support women in higher education careers in North Carolina.” This year we are excited to issue a Call for Proposals to women professionals across our member institutes. 

Conference Theme: “A Leadership Mindset: Turning Intention Into Action”

Whether we sit on the Executive Cabinet of our institution or shepherd students through the registration process every semester, as professionals in higher education, we understand the importance of a vision. We see challenges as opportunities as we work to achieve our educational mission. We are creative problem-solvers, collaborative organizers, and courageous advocates. And yet, sometimes, we find our big ideas waiting on the back burner, filed in the “later” drawer, or waiting their turn.

Imagine, however, what could happen if now was the right time after all—if that initiative you proposed was finally funded? If that student support program you designed moved into a pilot phase? Or, maybe it is a smaller goal, finding a better project management system, for example, or stopping to eat lunch. How can we build support, create buy-in, and launch some of the big (and small) ideas we have been holding on to? Whatever the project, we need a plan to make it happen. If this is where you find yourself, you are not alone. Join us for this day-long conference and learn how to turn your intentions into action.

We welcome proposals to lead a session as part of this professional development opportunity for women across the state. These brief (250-300 word) proposals should

• Meaningfully connect to the NC ACE Women's Network mission and      vision
• Address the conference theme in some way; for example, one      session might lead participants through practical steps for setting and      reaching goals, while another might offer resources for designing a      particular kind of program, and yet another might equip participants to      take action by sharing current research on motivation and project      management. We hope sessions will bridge the space between ambition and      execution regarding a range of topics. Some additional possibilities      include:
  • Tangible       leadership
  • Leadership as a       practice, not a position
  • Leveraging       volunteer leadership roles into professional opportunities
  • Prioritizing       when everything is important and urgent
  • Creating your       leadership CV
  • Equity-centered       leadership
  • Self-care for       the selfless leader
  • Women leaders       supporting women leaders
  • Building bridges       of support and opportunity for and among women
  • Creativity and       hopefulness in leadership practice
  • Small leadership       steps that tackle big problems
  • Succession       planning for women leaders
  • Creating your       own big hairy audacious goal (BHAG)
• Articulate anticipated outcomes      for attendees
• Indicate the type of session      being offered. (Each session is 75 minutes long.)
  • Individual       Presentation (speaker-led session with emphasis on conveying information)
  • Panel       Presentation (moderator-led session with emphasis on introducing varied       perspectives as represented by multiple panelists, usually 3)
  • Interactive Workshop (facilitator-led [may be       individual or co-presenters] session with emphasis on participants       creating a actionable take-away, such as a 5-year career plan or a social       media strategy for professional networking)
• Include contact information and      relevant credentials for presenter(s)

Proposals are due Monday, February 20, 2023, and the Conference and Programs Committee will share their decisions no later than Monday, March 6, 2023.

Please submit your proposals here.

Questions can be sent to info@ncacewomensnetwork.org

Thank you!

NC ACE Conference & Programming Committee

April Tallant, Chair, Western Carolina University

Ashley B. Allen, University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Erica Still, Wake Forest University

Roderica Williams, Mars Hill University