AWHE Mission Statement

Arizona Women in Higher Education shares the purpose of the American Council on Education's Office of Women in Higher Education (OWHE) (i.e., advancing women into leadership positions). AWHE promotes the leadership development of women in Arizona colleges, universities and other higher education institutions, through an Executive Board and Institutional Representatives.

AWHE Goals

To create a network for women who are interested in advancing other women in higher education faculties or administration in Arizona.
To provide information, support, and encouragement to those who share an interest in the advancement of women in higher education to: Enhance leadership potential in current positions, build skills toward higher-level positions, and share information and secure nominations to open positions
To assist in the leadership development of women who are or aspire to be in higher education by: Providing opportunities to gain experience and develop skills in leadership, encouraging the establishment of mentoring relationships with women, and encouraging support of women already advanced in higher education
To develop strategies to improve institutional climates for women in higher education.

Institutional Representative Role

The Institutional Representative serves an important role in the statewide network. IRs commit to the following:

Are appointed for two years with an option for reappointment. Each IR appointment must be confirmed by Executive Leadership from their institution. If for any reason an IR cannot complete their term, they will notify the State Coordinator.
Serve as their institution's official representative to the Arizona Women in Higher Education network. Are responsible for communications between AWHE and women on their campuses, establish, when appropriate, linkages with other campus programs focusing on women, and find ways to bring women together on their campuses for support and assistance.
Participate in AWHE sponsored meetings and events. Active participation as an IR means attending a majority of meetings, including the annual IR conference planning retreat and attending the annual conference. Attendance at the conference includes required work throughout the entirety of the conference.
Assist the Executive Board in developing plans and implement programs and activities generated by the Board.
Institutional Representatives serve as the Annual Conference planning team. This may include responsibilities such as logistical arrangements, marketing, registration, workshops, networking events, evaluation, and more. Assigned responsibilities may fluctuate as needed. Attending and working the annual conference is part of an IR’s responsibilities.
Institutional Representatives may serve as Committee Chairs or Co-Chairs, which are important to the success of the conference. This can require more communication with, and leadership and direction of, other committee members. Committee Chairs or Co-Chairs will serve under the direction of the State Co-Chairs.

Supporting Institution Role

Supervisors and leadership of the IR’s serving institution will support the activities of the Institutional Representative, including:

Participation in monthly one-hour conference calls from October through May of the academic year.
Participation (including potential travel) in the day-long annual IR conference planning retreats.
Authorization for attendance at the 2025 & 2026 AWHE Conferences.
Offering opportunities for professional development funds, department funds, or other available funds to support conference attendance, as appropriate.

Term of Service

The term of service begins approximately July 1st, 2024, and is a two (2) year appointment that concludes on June 30, 2026. To officially apply for this role, AWHE will need to reach out to your supervisor for approval. The form will request contact information. If you do not think applying to be an Institutional Representative is a good fit at this time - please consider filling out our volunteer form to provide support to the AWHE organization in a different way.