Utah Women's College Task Force: meeting the needs of Utah women

On September 28, 2011, the Utah Women's College Task Force met for the first time in order to facilitate dialogue regarding the low degree attainment rate of Utah women compared to their national counterparts, and to ultimately increase the number of women attending and graduating from institutions of higher education in Utah.

Born out of the research of the Utah Women and Education Project, headed by Dr. Susan R. Madsen, this subcommittee it co-chaired by former Governor Olene Walker and the State Board of Regents Vice-Chair Bonnie Jean Beesley. The task force is made up of 24 Utah leaders from sectors such as business, education, religion, politics, and non-profit work.

A goal has been set by Governor Gary R. Herbert to have 66 percent of Utah's future workforce better prepared for their occupations through obtaining postsecondary certificates and degrees by the year 2020. Thus, in the spirit of this goal, the task force is charged with doing what it takes to get women to and through college.