Leadership Conference at Cal U

Mar 08, 2019

The Cal U Young Women's Leadership Conference, "You Can at Cal U," will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 29 in the south wing of the Convocation Center.

leadership conference

Cal U is hosting a conference designed to empower young women. 

The Cal U Young Women's Leadership Conference, "You Can at Cal U," will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 29 in the south wing of the Convocation Center. 

Panel discussions will focus on career pathways. Panelists will include Cal U professors, students and graduates.

Conference participants include girls in seventh through 11th grades from surrounding school districts such as Belle Vernon, Brownsville, California, Charleroi, Frazier, Monessen, and Ringgold.

As part of the application process for this free conference, participants complete the Holland Code RIASEC (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, Conventional) test, which helps determine career interests.

Based on the test results, students will be placed in panel discussion that focus on particular career interests, according to coordinator Dr. Mary Kreis, associate professor in Cal U’s Department of Exercise Science and Sport Studies.

The visiting students will also take a campus tour, receive lunch and hear from clubs and interest groups to get examples of the campus-life experience outside the classroom as well.  

Cal U administrators and faculty who will lead panels include: Dr. Brenda Fredette, dean of Eberly College of Science and Technology; Dr. Kristen Majocha, dean of the College of Liberal Arts; Christine Kindl, vice president for Communications and Marketing; Dr. Laura Miller, director of the sport management program; Dr. Jodi Dusi, director of the physical therapist assistant program; Dr. Ayana Lyles, associate professor in the Department of Health Science; Dr. Shelly Fetchen, coordinator of clinical education for the bachelor’s degree in athletic training. 

Cal U graduates include Dr. Dara Rinchuse, orthodontist; Allison Kotarsky, owner of Paper Hearts Invitations; and Amy Smiley, vice president of Marketing for 84 Lumber. 

“We are very excited and hope this inspires these young students to continue leading and to feel empowered to do so in their schools and communities,” Kreis said. 

The deadline for schools to register for the conference is March 15. Email Kreis at kreis@calu.edu or call 724-809-6051. 

Faculty, current students and alumni who wish to participate are also welcome to contact Kreis. 

“This is a wonderful outreach for us and a way to showcase our University to truly up-and-coming female students,” Kreis said. 

“We know you can have an impact on these girls’ lives.”