Women’s ACE Net to help Rowan women “build their ladder”

The Rowan University chapter of the American Council on Education Women’s Network (ACE Net) reorganized this summer with new board members and a new slate of activities for 2016-17.

The group, which has 11 board members, welcomed new board members Andrea “Andy” Watkins of the President’s office and Jennifer Savage in Informational Resources & Technology. It welcomed back returning board members Patrice Patterson from the College of Business and Sheri Rodriguez from the Academic Advising Center.

Formerly the Rowan Women’s Professional Network, ACE Net, which conducts programming aimed, chiefly, at helping women advance professionally, holds monthly “lunch and learn” meetings as well as fall and spring conferences where participants and guests strategize techniques for success.

ACE Net board chair Joanne Connor said professional strategizing offered by the group is valuable for any career, especially those in higher education.

“Our goal is to help develop leadership skills for women in any position,” said Connor, President Ali Houshmand’s chief of staff and Board of Trustees liaison.

Monthly discussion topics have included salary negotiation techniques, personal and office budgeting, the value of mentoring (for mentor and mentee), and the effective use of verbal and non-verbal communication in the workplace.

“How we are perceived is very important and one of the most important ways in which we are perceived is through our communication skills,” Connor said.

Not just for women

ACE Net doesn’t have membership per se and it’s programming is open to everyone, including men, drawing up to 120 guests each month to lunch meetings in Eynon Ballroom.

In fact, Connor said, Dr. Houshmand is a frequent attendee and even came to the board’s annual brainstorming retreat in Hollybush this spring.

“Dr. Houshmand encourages men to attend because men can benefit from our programming but also so they can better appreciate the issues women face in the workplace,” she said.

The group builds discussions around a theme each year and this year’s theme is “Building Your Ladder,” which is intended to help attendees achieve their career goals, whatever they may be.

The ACE Net fall and spring conferences typically have special guest speakers – in the spring 6ABC Action News Co-Anchor Alicia Vitarelli discussed overcoming challenges in the work place.

A weekly program last fall presented a financial literacy series that included such topics as retirement and investment planning, insurance protection and cash flow and debt.

Tentative programming for 2016-17 includes discussions on professionalism, utilizing a career development tool kit and a January program in conjunction with Gourmet Dining on healthy cooking for a busy lifestyle.

For more information about upcoming events, opportunities and more please visit ACE Net online.