UWEP Summit enormous success

The long-awaited summit was reached Nov. 12 and was met with substantial attendance, genuine enthusiasm and support.

Welcome came from UWEP Director Susan R. Madsen and UVU President Matthew Holland as people settled in their seats and prepared themselves for the newest results of the ongoing study.

William A. Sederburg, Utah commissioner of higher education, and Larry K. Shumway, state superintendent of public instruction gave the opening remarks.

The most current Utah demographics were highlighted by Pamela S. Perlich, senior research economist in the Utah Bureau of Economic and Business Research. This relevant information created the context for the work and mission of UWEP.

Following Perlich, Madsen and research partner Cheryl Hanewicz introduced the UWEP study results.

In a second session, the extensive results continued to be presented by Madsen, Hanewicz, Susan Thackeray and Doug Gardner. The information offered at the summit is substantial; the general information will be more widely available in future.

Keep updated with the blog to receive detailed information regarding original results of the UWEP.

UWEP featured in Salt Lake Tribune

The Salt Lake Tribune highlighted the UWEP on Nov. 12, explaining its relevant mission and introducing its then upcoming summit.

Trends such as younger marriages, earlier childbearing and higher number of children could threaten the competitive ability of Utah, pointed out SLTrib writer Brian Maffly.

Jody Farley, who dropped out of college at age 22 to help support her young family, is labeled an exception in the article since she eventually completed her bachelor’s degree in family and consumer studies at the University of Utah a quarter-century later. Most do not go back to obtain the degrees they left behind.

The article points out that in order for the board of regents to reach its goal of
increasing degree obtainment from 39 percent to 56 percent by 2020, women will need to come closer to the national trend.

Some general details are provided regarding UWEP research, including how studies were conducted and sample information.

To read the full article click on the headline above.

Summit highlighted in UVU Review

The upcoming Utah Women and Education Summit was featured in the Nov. 8 issue of the UVU Review.

The article explains that, while previously released information centered around existing literature, the summit will disseminate original findings that apply specifically to Utah women.

Not only will the summit address UWEP's research, it will also instigate dialogue regarding the transformation of research into action.

Additionally, the full-length research articles scheduled to be released this spring will involve the findings of original data and their implications.

To read the full article, click on the headline above or visit www.uvureview.com

Utah Women and Education Summit

The Utah Women and Education Summit will be held on Friday, Nov. 12 from 8:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. at the Utah Valley University Sorensen Student Center (SC 206).

The UWEP will present its 2009-2010 research findings. The state-wide conference will also instigate necessary dialogue regarding the steps needed to transform research into action.

Anyone interested in the content of the summit is welcome to attend. Register for the summit on our website by clicking on the above headline.

Emphasizing the intrinsic value of education

Image courtesy of UVU Review

The UWEP was recently highlighted in the opinions section of the UVU Review. Author Celeste Rosenlof started off by explaining the decrease in female college completion compared to the nation, and continued by advocating the work of the UWEP and the importance of education for Utah women.

The need to remain competitive in today's economy concerned Rosenlof because educational attainment plays a large role in the hiring process, and if women are neglecting their education their chances of success will be dismal.

"What that means for married Utah women who stay at home is that in a case where they need a job, such as during an economic recession, their lack of education may make it more difficult to be competitive in their application for jobs, especially for jobs with more flexible hours and a decent salary or wage," Rosenlof said.

She explained that the more education a woman has, the more options will be presented to her. A larger pool of options, along with abundant access to various avenues of communication, can allow women to more readily work from home and simultaneously bridge the gap between work and family life.

Although many Utah women undoubtedly believe in an either/or system (either career or family life), Rosenlof claims that the two choices are not polar opposites.

"Education and family can coexist; in fact, they may be intrinsic to the success of one another," Rosenlof said.

She concludes by emphasizing that getting an education is extremely important, and is never a waste of time even if an individual doesn't end up having a career in their field of study. The knowledge they accumulate will be valuable in both career and family settings.

To view her full article, click on the above headline and be directed to www.UVUReview.com