University of Oregon women had a large role in the 33rd annual Oregon Women in Higher Education conference held earlier this winter at Oregon State University.
A total of 25 UO students and staff members planned an collaborated on the conference for months with women from universities throughout the Pacific Northwest. They traveled to Corvallis to “create legacies through peace” – the conference theme – and to meet and share professional skills and knowledge with women from other institutions.
Sheryl Eyster, the UO's associate dean of students, and Heather Cochrun, a senior anthropology major, won awards at the conference.
Oregon Women in Higher Education awarded Eyster the “She Flies with her Own Wings” award for her work in higher education over the past 30 years.
“To be nominated is such an honor,” Eyster says. “I feel like I have created a life that is wildly aligned with who I am, my purpose in life and the legacy I want to leave.”
Eyster was also selected to be on the OWHE’s Wise Woman panel at the conference. According to Dana Emmerson, the group's co-director of membership, Eyster has transformed higher education through outstanding programs, innovative services and effective administration.
“I have been fortunate to have great women mentors over the years and women – including many students – that have provided me a window into their world,” Eyster says. “The University of Oregon is very fortunate to have so many influential and talented women that provide leadership to the campus, throughout the region and in leadership positions in organizations across the country.”
The “Our Future” OWHE award was presented to Cochrun for her work as president of the National Residence Hall Honorary and as a mentor resident assistant in the UO residence halls.
“Hearing my name called was a really empowering moment for me because coming into it, I didn’t even consider myself in the same field as these women,” Cochrun says.
Established this year, the “Our Future” award was created to honor a woman student – graduate or undergraduate – who demonstrates the OWHE mission of inspiring women to connect, grow and lead change in higher education.
After finishing her bachelor's degree in anthropology, with minors in ethnic studies and women and gender studies, Cochrun hopes to pursue a master’s degree in college student personnel.
Heather Kropf, OWHE’s director of the annual conference, says it was evident Cochrun’s involvement and desire to help others grow fits into the OWHE’s mission.
“Heather has been in a leadership role in University Housing for three years and spearheaded the formation of the NRHH chapter at the University of Oregon,” Kropf says. “I believe she leads change every day as a student and will continue to do this with her aspirations to work in higher education.”
Many other UO women were also involved with the annual conference, including OWHE board members Kropf and director of business operations Kristen Gleason, conference planning committee member Ellen Grant and presenter Annie Clark.
Robin Holmes, the UO vice president for student affairs, provided the conference keynote address and asked each woman what her legacy will be, saying, “A powerful leader has many tools at her disposal.”
“Robin Holmes has always been an inspiration to women in higher education,” Kropf says. “Robin challenged the conference attendees by asking reflective and thought-provoking questions and encouraged us to leave a legacy that others will follow.”
Eyster commended the UO women involved in planning the conference for identifying ways for women to have meaningful networking opportunities.
“I believe something that defines us here at the UO is that we genuinely care about advancing and supporting women in higher education, and we are quite influential in leading change efforts, including the capacity to transform the state of Oregon,” she says.
- by Ashley Shaffer, University Housing