Thiel College women’s advocacy group hosts leadership conference for female high school students

Posted March 22, 2018 Print

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Thiel College, a leading liberal arts college in northwest Pennsylvania, hosted female students from four Mercer and Lawrence county high schools for the annual Women Inspiring the Next Generation conference on March 22.

Thiel College President Susan Traverso, Ph.D., and Vice President for Enrollment Management Ashley Josay Zullo were among the presenters Thursday. They encouraged the students to invest in themselves and think beyond where they are at currently and look five or 10 years into the future. President Traverso spoke, along with other staff members, about feminism, obstacles they've overcome being a woman and women in business. The conference coincides with March’s month-long celebration of Women’s History Month.

“If we apply ourselves, we can do whatever we want to do,” Traverso said. “To be successful, you need to invest in yourself and adopt a growth mindset. Everybody should have a web of trusted friends, mentors and connectors, but this is especially true for women. It’s our hope that these opportunities for mentorship and connection open doors, broaden horizons and encourage achievement.”

This year, 38 high school juniors and seniors from West Middlesex, Neshannock, Commodore Perry and Grove City high schools came to campus for the annual leadership conference. The girls came to the conference to learn about being better leaders and what to expect when headed to college.

This year’s conference was in the Stamm Lecture Hall of the James Pedas Communication Center and in other classrooms around campus. Students participated in icebreaker games and activities, engaged in speaking sessions and ate lunch with peers and mentors.

Women Inspiring the Next Generation is a campus organization that promotes friendship, empowers women through cultural and community affairs, and strives to set a standard of respect and responsibility for the entire College community by participating as leaders in a variety of Thiel College clubs and activities. The organization promotes community service locally and globally through activities that help local needs and raise funds for global needs.