Some of Michigan's top women leaders in higher education met Wednesday in the Kellogg Center to address the challenges facing today's colleges and universities.
The roundtable discussion was sponsored by the Council of Graduate Students to give students a chance to hear how the leaders were facing today's problems, such as state funding and the challenges for women in leadership roles.
Martha Smydra, president of Oakland Community College's Royal Oak and Southfield campuses, said things have changed significantly since she began her career 30 years ago.
"Back then, some women would get positions based on their minority status," Smydra said. "Now they are considered legitimate."
Although there have been improvements for women in academic fields, Smydra said there are still barriers in the areas of legislature and corporate leadership.
"Women in leadership roles are more accepted in the broad sense, but there is still much to do," Smydra said.
For women hoping to become future administrators, Smydra said to "work harder than your peers and trust yourself."
MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon said one of the keys to leadership was to recognize the talents of those around you and listen to advice.
"You have to be able to analyze situations critically while in the middle of the storm," Simon said.
She said students should not look toward a single role model but a wide range of inspirational figures and try to diversify their experiences. She added it was important to have a sense of humor.
"You can't take yourself too seriously," Simon said.
The women also discussed the effects of budget cuts on higher education.
"As states become more and more stressed, the assumption by many is the federal government will step in," said Judith Bailey, president of Western Michigan University. "That's not appropriate."
Although there has been an increase in the amount of money given in federal Pell Grants, the number of awards has gone down, Bailey said. She said this leads to fewer students attending college.
"It becomes an affordability issue," Bailey said.
She said public policy has shifted to regard higher education as a private benefit, something for individuals to be concerned with. Bailey said having more people with advanced degrees serves the public good and should receive wider support and funding.
"The governor is right that a well-educated Michigan will drive our economy," Bailey said. "Graduates become teachers and civic leaders."
