Seven ECU women graduate from BRIDGES Academic Leadership Program

Seven ECU women participated in the UNC BRIDGES XXI academic leadership for women. Pictured at the 2013 BRIDGES graduation are, left to right, Liza Wieland, Cynthia Deale, Qin Ding, Stephanie Coleman, Mary Farwell, Elaine Cabinum-Foeller, and Mandee Lancaster (Contributed photo).

By Qin Ding
Department of Computer Science

Seven East Carolina University women were selected to participate in the UNC BRIDGES leadership program for women, an intensive professional development program for women in higher education who seek to gain or strengthen their academic leadership capabilities.

The selected participants were Elaine Cabinum-Foeller, associate professor of pediatrics and medical director of TEDI BEAR CAC at the Brody School of Medicine; Stephanie Coleman, assistant vice chancellor for operations; Cynthia Deale, professor of hospitality management; Qin Ding, associate professor of computer science; Mary Farwell, director of Undergraduate Research and professor of biology; Mandee Lancaster, director of Survey Research and Leadership Initiatives; and Liza Wieland, professor of English. The program ran from Sept. 6 through Nov. 23, 2013.

During four weekends, 34 participants from public and private institutions in higher education across the state participated in multiple sessions on transformative leadership. While the program helped the participants improve their leadership and communication skills, it also created a strong bond among the participants.

The application for the 2014 program will be open soon in the spring. Additional information about the BRIDGES program can be found at: http://fridaycenter.unc.edu/pdep/bridges/.