Barbara Steidle is not used to being in the spotlight.
As the university's consultant, she spends most of her time working behind the scenes making sure MSU runs smoothly.
But on Tuesday, Steidle stepped out of the shadows and into the spotlight to receive the 2003 Distinguished Woman in Higher Education Leadership Award from the Michigan American Council on Education Network for Women Leaders in Higher Education.
"She's a woman pioneer at MSU and in the state," said Martha Tack, the state coordinator for the network. "Everybody knows it's Barbara you go to, to get information from."
Steidle accepted the award at the network's annual conference, which was held at MSU's James B. Henry Center for Executive Development. This is the third year the award has been presented to women leaders in higher education, but the first time a MSU employee has received it.
MSU President M. Peter McPherson nominated Steidle for the award before he left to serve as financial coordinator for the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance in Iraq.
The advancement of women in more positions of higher education has been an ever changing issue during her 36 years of university work, Steidle said.
"Power is the ability to persuade," she said. "You don't do anything by yourself.
"I take this on behalf of all those colleagues who made it possible."
Steidle received her bachelor's degree in education from Pennsylvania State University and her master's and doctorate degrees in history from Rutgers University in New Jersey.
She has worked as James Madison College dean from 1980-89 and as assistant provost for academic services from 1989-92. She also was assistant provost for undergraduate education in 1992 where she stayed for 10 years.
Her consulting position continues through December.
"A majority of her time has been spent as the wind beneath the wings of others," Tack said.
The network's conference hosted an array of women in university positions from deans to presidents. Mary Sue Coleman, University of Michigan president, was a keynote speaker during the network's luncheon.
Coleman said the network allows a forum of discussion for women in higher education.
"Women are represented at all university decisions," she said. "I've seen enormous change in my life.
"But we need to keep working on that change."
