Sponsors and Friends:
This was an exciting year for ASFW! Each year, ASFW follows a theme, which was the word “TODAY,” selected to inspire our community to embrace each and every day with an eager and open mind as we are presented with new opportunities and beginnings. Across 15 unique events, we engaged university faculty and staff in programming designed to enrich professional development and encourage connections across campus. The year culminated with our 20th annual Ballam Symposium: a powerful convening full of inspiring conversations and knowledge sharing. As we work year-round to support, encourage, and empower women and their allies at Ohio State, we appreciate your sponsorship and all that you do to support our efforts. Your support advances our mission which is to expand impact and access!
With gratitude,
Amber Herron, President
Kick-Off Event
On September 28, we launched the year with a terrific informational and networking session at the Faculty Club. It was food, drinks and fun for existing members and others interested in joining ASFW.
Social Opportunities
ASFW members had several opportunities to connect in person, including during THIRSTY THIRD THURSDAYS happy hours at The O on Lane and an on-campus coffee chat on March 7 at Mason Hall.
Professional Development Series
We offered a three-part, virtual Professional Development Series, providing members and non-members with valuable career tips, guidance, and insights.
LEARNING TO CELEBRATE YOURSELF, February 21 - Career Coach Kio LaCount Burrell shared her working knowledge of promoting yourself and embracing your own wellness to be your best self.
IS YOUR CAREER SOARING OR STAGNANT?, March 5 - Associate Director of Talent Acquisition Steph Mizer shared insights into refining resumes, identifying your ideal professional role, and growing your career.
COMMUNICATING TO BE UNDERSTOOD, April 23 - Beth Flynn, Program Specialist, Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership, guided participants to be better understood in the workplace when dealing with colleagues, supervisors, and other team members.
Other Workshops and Experiences
DEI WORKSHOP: MICROAGRESSIONS AND ME, November 29 - Guest presenter Sophia Antoun offered participants an opportunity to reflect on the ways we perpetuate microaggressions and explore how to move forward once we’ve been made aware of the microaggressions we perpetuate. Participants learned skills such as crafting meaningful apologies, learning to understand and say what they really mean, and strategies for holding themselves accountable.
HOLIDAY PARTY & EAP WORKSHOP, December 7 - Senior EAP Clinician Helka Casey led an inspiring conversation around self-care during the busy and often stressful holiday season.
ENERGY FOR LIFE; ONE DAY AT A TIME, January 25 - This presentation by Brenda Buffington was designed for busy professionals who want to re-focus and re-energize their personal and professional lives. She provided new strategies for fueling, recovering and moving to become your best self.
FINANCIAL PLANNING WORKSHOP, March 28 - Jerry Snyder shared information about state pensions and their benefits, OSU benefits as well as Medicare, Social Security and the Supplemental Retirement Accounts. In post-program surveys, participants shared: "Very informative and pertinent subject for everyone" and "always great to learn about financial - so much info!"
NNEAMP FOOD PANTRY, April 25 - With April as National Volunteer Month, members were given the opportunity to help our local community through a volunteer session at a local food pantry.
20th Annual Deborah A. Ballam Symposium
With 91 event registrations, this year's Ballam Symposium was one of our best yet! Attendees enjoyed networking activities, local food and a powerful presentation on how to build psychological flexibility. The keynote speaker was Dr. Melissa Briggs-Phillips, whose presentation, "Sixty Minutes to Sanity" introduced adaptive strategies for 21st Century living and leading. We also hosted round-table discussions in partnership with The Women's Place, covering topics such as approaching difficult conversations, the art of storytelling, managing up, and claiming your impact.
The event also included an award ceremony for this year's three ASFW Award Winners:
Mary Ann Williams Leadership Award Winner - Nicole Kraft, Associate Professor of Practice, School of Communication
Dr. Patricia Cunningham II Commitment to Service Award - Dr. Gail Whitelaw, Clinical Professor, Clinic Director, Department of Speech and Hearing
Ruthmarie Mitch Professional Development - Dr. Shayne Piasta, Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning
In our post-event survey, 44 out of 53 respondents rated the symposium as "Excellent," with the remaining 9 respondents rating it "Good." Please find additional feedback below:
Every presenter and speaker at this event was enthusiastic and engaging, and I really felt like membership in this organization would be fun as well as helpful. Great job!
Everything was really good - I especially appreciated the keynote speaker and the roundtable exercises. Such a fun and innovative way to do things!
Overall, the symposiums was fabulous!!!!
Career Coaching
This year, we brought back career coaching, giving our Executive Board and members the opportunity to be matched with a coach for a free coaching session. From career advancement to work life balance, participants gained one-on-one time with a professional coach to explore pathways toward achieving the next level of their career and professional goals. We were pleased to see 23 individuals take advantage of this terrific opportunity.
ASFW 2023-24 Program Participant Feedback
"These events are a wonderful value, and provide great professional development opportunities in a format that fits in well with our busy schedules."
"I have made so many connections!"
"I think that this is a great organization to network and give back to the community."
"...I will always recommend this group because I always leave feeling stronger and with great ideas to implement."
"I have enjoyed being around other women with so much life/career experience."
"It is the best value for professional development and the programming is relevant and excellent!"
A Critical Mission, A Critical Partnership
ASFW is a completely volunteer-led organization formed to connect and empower individuals who want to see each other succeed. Our mission promotes and supports the professional development of university faculty and staff whose paths are affected by marginalization and structural barriers due in part to sex and/or gender identity at The Ohio State University. Our work is critical, and we couldn't do it without your generous support.
We appreciate your support and look forward to another wonderful year of programming for 2024-2025!
With gratitude,