WESmag

Addressing the Gender Gap

Women continue to be underrepresented, underpaid, and discriminated against in the workforce, particularly in jobs that often are referred to as “male dominated.” Traditionally these jobs include STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), finance, IT and software development, construction, architecture, and law enforcement, among others. According to data, women were less likely to receive a pay increase in the past 12 months – 60% vs. 71% for men. The data shows on average, women who did receive pay increases saw only a 6.5% increase compared to the 12.1% increase men received. The good news is, according to the Wesleyannes we interviewed, most say they are witnessing a change in women’s workplace roles, even if ever so slowly. READ MORE

 Don’t stop dreaming. 
 

Kritika Thapa ’09

Kritika Thapa ’09: I have encountererd some challenges along the way like dealing with unsolicited male advances, having men talk over me, and not being taken seriously. READ MORE >

 Find Your Support. 
 

 Alexia Barrett-Flake ’15

Alexia Barrett-Flake ’15 says some men refused to see the value of having a woman in her position. Luckily her peers and superiors were always on her side. READ MORE >

 M in STEM is Math. 
 

Dr. Vida Olivares ’02

Dr. Vida Olivares ’02 says she had to work really hard at the university level to gain respect amongst her male colleagues, but does not face the problem at the high school level. READ MORE >

 Stay in the Fight. 
 

Major D’Andrea L. Price ’90

Major D’Andrea L. Price ’90 says that at first, men questioned her authority but once she learned to stand up for herself, she became the one that most men were intimidated by. READ MORE >

 Lead by Example. 
 

Kelly Russell ’80

Kelly Russell's ’80 advice to women is "don’t look at your field as male-dominated. Go in as yourself and do the best you can at whatever job you are assigned. Speak up and take opportunities to grow and improve your skills." READ MORE >

 You are Enough. 
 

Dr. Esiri Tasker-Armstrong ’14

Dr. Esiri Tasker-Armstrong ’14 says that at first she had insecurities about being a Black woman in a STEM field, but that she had a support system that helped her realize she is good enough. READ MORE >

 Follow your Dreams. 
 

Merry Barton Quick ’96

Merry Barton Quick ’96 believes that engineering has traditionally been a male-dominated field because in school, women are not always encouraged to seek out STEM-related careers. She says there is still a stigma that women engineers are somewhat inferior. READ MORE >

 Passion Drives Position. 
 

Sophia N. Hall ’01

Sophia N. Hall ’01 believes she was denied promotions because supervisors and leaders were intimidated by her drive and determination to succeed. “When the opportunity arises, I am happy to prove my abilities and stand toe-to-toe with anyone.” READ MORE >

 Change the Mindset. 
 

Kemba Anderson ’02

Kemba Anderson ’02 says as a result of the natural resource field still being male-dominated, she has been passed over for promotions and has delayed completing her PhD on several occasions due to having to work “ten times harder than my male counterpart.” READ MORE >

 

Campus Highlights

Honor and Awards Day

Staff and Faculty 2022 award winners

Wesleyan College held its annual Honors and Awards Convocation on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. The event celebrates students who are honored for their outstanding academic, service, and leadership achievements by academic departments, the student government association, and the College. Outstanding faculty and staff are also honored for their commitment to teaching and to service.

Erica Brown ’22 received the highest student-nominated honor, Wesleyan Student of the Year. Given to a graduating senior, this award is based on three principal traits: leadership, dedication to the Wesleyan community, and friendship to others. Erica is president of SGA and is a lead admission ambassador. In previous years, she served as senator of Activism and Advocacy and as a student intern for various social justice organizations. In addition to her campus activities, she works part-time at Crisis Line and Safe House of Central Georgia as a sexual assault advocate. Erica will enter the Candler School of Theology at Emory University this fall on a full-tuition scholarship to pursue a Master of Theology degree.

Taj Haywood ’22 was honored as Wesleyan Student of Success, an award given annually to a junior or senior who stands out in academics, community service, and extracurricular activities. Taj has served Wesleyan as a resident advisor, an admission ambassador, and as president of her class and of Black Student Alliance. This Woodruff Scholar and Findlay Fellowship recipient has appeared on the president’s list multiple times, is head Junior Marshal, and earned a Phi Kappa Phi certificate. In the fall, Taj will enter Mercer University School of Law on the George W. Woodruff full-tuition scholarship.

Each year, the student body votes on faculty and staff to be honored with SGA awards. This year’s honorees are: Faculty/Staff Workhorse, Director of the First Year Experience Ken Blair; Staff Member of the Year, Residence Life Coordinator Ellie Hansen ’21; and Professor of the Year, Assistant Professor of Psychology Holly Cole. The newly created Student Leadership Award went to Savannah Pollock ’22.

Teaching award winners include: Ann Munck Award for Excellence in Teaching, Associate Professor of English / Assistant Dean for Teaching and Learning Laura Lease; The Quillian Distinguished Teaching Award, Associate Professor of Education Latisha Warren; and The Vulcan Materials Company Teaching Excellence Award, Professor of Communication Diedra Donmoyer.

The Presidential Staff Award recognizes extraordinary contributions by members of our staff to the improvement of the Wesleyan community. Based on a high level of service, dedication, conscientiousness, and caring above and beyond normal expectations, this year’s honorees are Assistant Registrar, Candice Cagle; Enrollment Coordinator Jessica Tucker; and Nursing Program Coordinator Alexis Hall.

Students honored for excellence during 2022

Wesleyan is proud of each of these award recipients and is thankful for all they do on a daily basis to serve the College above and beyond the call of duty.
KEY Internships

Consider hiring a Wesleyan student for an internship at your workplace.

An internship should:

  • provide an environment where students can ask questions about the work, field, and their career paths.
  • allow for students to demonstrate their initiative and problem-solving skills.
  • be an educationally enriching project that outlines responsibilities and involves mentoring, quality training, supervision, and evaluation.
  • include regular meetings for performance feedback.
  • keep clerical work to a minimum. 75% of the time should be spent on projects with progressively increasing levels of responsibility.

Read more information on Wesleyan’s KEY Internship Program or contact Ivy Word, director of career development, at iword@wesleyancollege.edu or (478) 757-5224.

An internship can be either virtual or in-person.

Congratulations Class of 2022

Class of 2022 class photo

On May 14, Wesleyan College awarded diplomas to 127 graduating seniors. The Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Atlanta, Dr. Amina Smaila, served as keynote speaker at commencement exercises.

Graduate school acceptances:

University of North Carolina Greensboro, Georgia State University, Brenau University, Mercer University School of Law, Medical College of Wisconsin, Emory’s Candler School of Theology, and the University of Vermont

Programs include: master of arts in English, Ph.D. in neuroscience, Ph.D. in biochemistry, master of social work, master of science in clinical psychology, master of theology, and Juris Doctor degree in law

Entering the Workforce:

Georgia Academy for the Blind, Houston County schools, Atrium Health, Navicent, Grady Health, GEICO, Bibb County schools, Northside Hospital - Atlanta, PNC Bank

Commencement Stats

  

Congratulations to Cassie Montelongo ’22 for receiving the 2022 Mary Mildred Sullivan Award for excellence in character, leadership, service to the community, and commitment to spiritual values.

Sullivan Award WinnerThe Sullivan Award is the only award presented to a graduating senior during commencement exercises.

Originally from Texas, Cassie, who earned her degree in religious studies, summa cum laude, came to Wesleyan by way of Warner Robins. She has been a leader in the Wesley Fellowship; provided service to DayBreak, a center for people experiencing homelessness; was a chapel intern; and last summer earned a prestigious internship in Washington, D.C., with the Poor People’s Campaign. While discerning her call to ministry, Cassie is serving as the Community Ministry intern at Centenary United Methodist Church where she works with children, youth, college, and young adult ministries. She manages social media for Centenary Community Ministries, a non-profit organization that provides resources for local, under-served areas, and she coordinates bike co-op, a service where donated bicycles are made operational for use by community members who need reliable transportation.

 

 

Thank you to President Vivia Fowler

Wesleyan is forever grateful for Vivia’s servant’s heart and her willingness to serve the College for fifteen years.

Calendar of Events

Wesleyan College is privileged to steward many arts and cultural events and share them with the community. Most are free and open to the public. Wesleyan art galleries are open M-F 1-5PM and on Wesleyan Market Saturdays from 10AM-2PM.

Event listing

NCAA Division III Athletics

Wesleyan College is home to five NCAA Division III sports: soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and softball. In addition, we offer an award-winning Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Equestrian program.

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