Williams, McCabe Smith at summer institute

Yvonne Williams and Linda McCabe Smith recently completed the prestigious HERS Bryn Mawr Summer Institute for Women in Higher Education Administration. Williams is an administrator and McCabe Smith a faculty member at SIUC.

Williams is the associate director of the SIUC Center for Academic Success. Initially working for a short time in human resources when hired in 1982, Williams moved a year later to the Center for Basic Skills, now known as the Center for Academic Success. McCabe Smith, a 12-year University employee, is the interim associate dean in the College of Mass Communication and Media Arts, a post she has held since late August. Prior to that, she was an associate professor in the Rehabilitation Institute- Communication Disorder and Sciences Program. Both earned their doctorates at SIUC.

The duo was among 70 participants from 30 states, Guam and South Africa chosen to participate in the learning experience geared for women in higher education. Since 1976, the summer institute has helped participants increase their knowledge and skills and expand their leadership perspectives within higher education. The institute included study of political and economic trends, project management skills, conflict resolution, strategic planning for academic excellence and effective resource management and more.

"Both Linda and I felt it was a great experience," Williams said. "We learned a lot and it was a great opportunity to interact with women from throughout the United States, Guam and South Africa. It was wonderful to share experiences and network."

Bryn Mawr College near Philadelphia was host and co-sponsor. The University of Denver- based, educational non-profit organization Higher Education Resource Services (HERS), was also a co-sponsor for the intensive four-week residential program. HERS Institutes are all about expanding higher education opportunities for women and building networks of female administrators committed to supporting one another. Programming like this event enhances those goals and draws people from colleges and universities all over. Bryn Mawr College, founded more than 120 years ago, is a groundbreaking women’s college.

- Christi Mathis