Thriving Women Program
The Thriving Women Program was developed to empower female faculty and staff to further develop their values and personal goals to become more engaged citizens of West Virginia University and the Statler College with a global and inclusive perspective for societal and community impacts and increase their potential and impact by contributing, instilling and/or implementing a narrative change and/or viable practices guided for creating the foundation for our University and College community to thrive.
The Thriving Women Program Recipients
Funded by dedicated alumna Dianne Anderson, the program offers support of up to $2,000
for applicants over a one-year period.
2024 Recipients
Akua Oppong-Anane Receives 2024 Thriving Women Program Award
Akua Oppong-Anane will receive $2,000 in support to develop and implement a mentoring program for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and women student populations enrolled in and graduating from the Statler College majors. Research shows that mentorship is one of the most effective ways to enhance student retention from minoritized groups. Oppong-Anane intends to recruit and train other mentors in Statler’s academic units to work with BIPOC and women students over the coming year, creating a safe environment where they can find resources and support to enhance their academic success.
2023 Recipients
STATLER Statler College announces 2023 Thriving Women Program recipients
Jennifer Jones, senior academic adviser in the Statler College Advising Center
will use the funding to support her professional development through the Successful
Strengths Coaching virtual course offered by Gallup. By attending this course,
Jones will learn core principles and practices of coaching that change lives and
helps people get better results both in their professional and personal settings.
At the heart of this course is Clifton Strengths, Gallup's unique and proven approach
to talent discovery and development.
Soumya Srivastava, assistant professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering and Area Chair of the Women in Chemical Engineering Committee in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, will use the grant to develop a women professionals seminar series at the level of the College. The focus areas of these seminars will include work-life balance, leadership, navigating career path, building collaborations, and finding mentors to support and enhance the academic experience for women students.
2022 Recipients
Statler College announces 2022 Thriving Women Program recipients
Michelle Poland, director of the Statler College Advising Center and academic adviser, will use the grant to support her travel to the National Academic Advising Association’s Administrators Institute in February 2023. Participants of the Institute will develop action plans under guidance of Institute faculty that focus on a key issue or concern that they would like to make significant changes and improvements to within their university, college, or unit.
Susie Huggins, administrative assistant in the Fundamentals of Engineering Program, plans to distribute books related to engineering to the free Little Libraries across Preston County as well as the local high school media center. Huggins will also begin the lifelong dream of achieving a PhD in Education this fall with support and networking from the Thriving Women Program.
2021 Recipients
STATLER COLLEGE ANNOUNCES 2022 THRIVING WOMEN PROGRAM RECIPIENTS
Xinyu Zhang, teaching assistant professor of fundamentals of engineering, intends to advance her career trajectory and knowledge of engineering education by obtaining her professional engineering license and engage in SWE activities as a University leader, as well as work with other faculty and SWE advisers for broader impact activities.
Leslie Hopkinson, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, plans to develop a new general education course that covers the history of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields to contribute to a positive and inclusive University community.