‘Women Who Rise & Lift’ Breakfast on April 7 to Relaunch Women’s Mentoring Network

March 14, 2022 | Diversity, Events, News, UToday, Alumni, Student Affairs, UTMC
By Kirk Baird



The UToledo Women’s Mentoring Network officially relaunches on Thursday, April 7, with “The Women Who Rise & Lift: Leaders at the University of Toledo Breakfast”

The event is scheduled from 8 to 10 a.m. at Savage Arena in the Grogan Room, with breakfast served from 8 to 8:30 a.m. and welcoming remarks beginning at 8:30 a.m.

“The Office of the Provost is delighted to reintroduce the Women’s Mentoring Network to the UToledo community,” said Dr. La Fleur F. Small, vice provost for academic administration and faculty affairs, who served as head of the UToledo Women’s Mentoring Network steering board committee. “The hope is this network will allow both female faculty and staff members to build both social and supportive relationships that will enable the maximization of potential. A mentor has the unique ability to celebrate a woman’s achievements while continuously developing her skills. Hopefully, frequent feedback, recognition and network building will have the net result of boosting confidence and helping women either advance into leadership positions or excel in their current position.

“I hope that many of our female community members join the network, consider serving as mentees or mentors and help develop and influence programming that positively impacts their peers for some time to come. I am tremendously grateful for the group of diverse and talented faculty and staff who agreed to serve on the Steering Board Committee of the UToledo Women’s Mentoring Network.”

“I would like to thank current steering board committee members Kelly Andrews, Malaika-Beauta Bell, Angela Fitzpatrick, Dana Hollie, Wafaa Hannah, Margaret Hopkins, Teresa Hayes, Tiffany Preston Whitman and Cathy Zimmer for their hard work in making this relaunch possible”

Event registration opens Monday, March 14, and closes Friday, March 25, and can be accessed via an online RSVP form. The first 100 registrants are guaranteed access to the event. The Women’s Mentoring Network asks attendees to contribute a hygiene or food item to benefit the UToledo Student Food Pantry.

Event panelists include:

•  Kelly Andrews, senior associate athletic director and sports administrator;

•  Dr. Denise Bartell, associate vice provost for Student Success;

•  Dr. Karen Bjorkman, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs;

•  Dr. Kimberly Jenkins, associate dean of diversity, equity and inclusion in the UToledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences and associate professor, Anesthesiology;

•  Valerie Simmons-Walston, interim vice president for Student Affairs.

The Women’s Mentoring Network seeks to develop, retain and support woman-identified Main and Health Science campus faculty and staff inclusive to all ranks and career levels.

Dr. Angela Fitzpatrick, director of the Eberly Center, added, “We know mentoring is important to professional development and work-life harmony, especially for women who face additional barriers in the workplace. I remember how exciting it was when the Women’s Mentoring Network first rolled out in the fall of 2019, and it is wonderful to see it returning under Dr. Small’s leadership and the guidance of the steering committee.”

Click to access the login or register cheese