Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
05/19/2011

Contact:
Katie Broendel, broendelk@aauw.org
202/785-7761

Lisa Goodnight, goodnightl@aauw.org
202/785-7738

Belle S. Wheelan to Speak at College Leadership Conference
Commission on Colleges President to Address Students at AAUW/NASPA Event

WASHINGTON — Belle S. Wheelan, the first African American and the first woman to serve as the president of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, will give a keynote address at the 26th annual National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL) on Saturday, June 4, at the University of Maryland, College Park. Wheelan's speech will be preceded by a performance by Batala, an all-women percussion band from Washington, D.C.

Wheelan's career spans more than 30 years and includes the roles of faculty member, chief student services officer, campus provost, college president, and secretary of education for the Commonwealth of Virginia. She was the first African American and the first woman to serve in several of those roles. Washingtonian magazine named her one of the 100 most powerful women in Washington, D.C., in 2001, and she received the AAUW Women of Distinction Award in 2002.

Who:
Belle S. Wheelan, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges president

What:
National Conference for College Women Student Leaders keynote address

When:
Saturday, June 4, 2011, 9:30–11 a.m.

Where:
Hoff Theater, Adele H. Stamp Student Union
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, Maryland

Since 1985, the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders has provided a platform to help thousands of college and university women develop leadership skills, network with other student leaders, and interact with women who hold leadership positions. The conference is presented by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and NASPA.

Read more about NCCWSL's programming on our website and Facebook page.

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The American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. Since 1881, AAUW has been one of the nation's leading voices promoting education and equity for women and girls. AAUW has a nationwide network of more than 100,000 members and donors, 1,000 branches, and 500 college/university institutional partners. Since AAUW's founding 130 years ago, members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day — educational, social, economic, and political. AAUW's commitment to educational equity is reflected in its public policy advocacy, community programs, leadership development, conventions and conferences, national partnerships, and international connections.

NASPA–Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education is the leading voice for student affairs administration, policy, and practice and affirms the commitment of student affairs to educating the whole student and integrating student life and learning. With more than 12,000 members at 1,400 campuses and representing 29 countries, NASPA is the foremost professional association for student affairs administrators, faculty, and graduate and undergraduate students. NASPA members are committed to serving college students by embracing the core values of diversity, learning, integrity, service, fellowship, and the spirit of inquiry. To learn more about NASPA, visit www.naspa.org.