CCU selected to host 'Elect Her' program for women
The three-year-old program will be conducted at 20 colleges and universities around the nation next year, more than doubling its reach in one year. The program is a collaboration between the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and the nonprofit organization Running Start.
"In addition to being among a distinguished group of universities selected for this program, Elect Her – Campus Women Win will unite students from across the campus – representing areas such as Women’s and Gender Studies, Multicultural Student Services, Student Activities and Leadership, the S.C. Student Legislature, and the Women’s Resource Center, among others – toward a common purpose of advancing women to become the leaders of tomorrow," said Rob Sheehan, provost and senior vice president for Academic and Student Affairs.
The application was supported by the University’s Women’s Resource Center, Council for CCU Women, and Women in Philanthropy and Leadership. Details will be forthcoming for the training to be held at Coastal Carolina University. The training will be open to all interested students and will be coordinated through the Office of Student Activities and Leadership.
In addition to Coastal Carolina University, new campus sites for 2011 include: Catholic University, Duke University, Northern Illinois University. Pacific Lutheran University, University of Alabama, University of Cincinnati, University of Wyoming, Trinity University, Western Washington University and Wright State University.
Currently, women hold just 17 percent of the seats in Congress and 24 percent of the seats in state legislatures. The Elect Her initiative aims to close this long-standing political leadership gender gap by empowering and training women to run for office at all levels.