For four weeks last summer, BYU-Hawaii mathematics professor Dr. Susan Barton [pictured at left] participated with 69 other mid-career women in academia in the prestigious joint Bryn Mawr HERS (Higher Educational Resources Services) Summer Institute. The annual program, held on the famed "seven sisters" campus near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has provided women leadership and management development in higher educational administration over the past 35 years.
Barton, who has taught at BYU-Hawaii for 18 years, noted that her sister participants came from 28 other U.S. states and four countries to take part in over 100 formal sessions. For example, they listened to 55 speakers, including eight female university presidents as well as other high-ranking administrators. "Each speaker was carefully picked to give us a different insight," she said.
She also explained that after being nominated, she had to put together a portfolio demonstrating "where you're at in your career, your aspirations, goals, and what you see as your strengths and weaknesses."
"It was quite an honor and a privilege to represent the university at this setting. The only thing I can think of to compare this with is all-encompassing immersion," Barton continued. "The main objective is to help women who are already in academia become aware of the all-encompassing aspects of administration. For example, we had a unit on management versus leadership. They're both needed, but when do you need to be a manager — making sure everything is running smoothly and everyone's on task, and when do you need to provide the vision — the leadership?"
"We worked 12 hours a day...[on] some of the big issues in higher education right now. We talked a lot about how you provide and embrace change, when it's necessary," Barton said. Other topics included gender, race and ethnic equity. "For example, how do you make it possible for people who are not in the top socio-economic level to continue to be educated when there seems to be a diminishing of funds, scholarships and grants from federal agencies?"
"Another big issue, that doesn't necessarily apply to BYU-Hawaii, is privatization," she said. "Apparently, something that's become critical and has to be dealt with is: Do you let big corporations start funding universities? We also talked about finances, because if you're going to be a leader in higher education, you've got to understand budget even if you're not a numbers person."
"Lastly, they brought in some people to help us do career mapping. What has been found is that men will often project out: In five years I want to be doing this, in 10 years I'll be doing this, in 15 years... Studies have indicated that women haven't been traditionally doing this, partly because there are other roles women often play besides a career. They were trying to help us learn to do those kinds of things: Where do you want to be in five years, and what do you need to do to get there? That was really helpful."
Asked what sticks out in her mind from the institute experience at this point, Barton replied, "There are two areas: One is just the fact of associating with 69 women who are very professional and have gone up the ladder was amazing."
She also referred to the powerful networking that occurred among the participants, and noted that female professors at BYU-Hawaii have recently formed the Academic Women's Network on campus to do similar things and help "new faculty attain CFS — continuing faculty status; it's kind of like tenure in Church schools."
"And number two, my colleagues tell me I have changed. I don't know, but perhaps I have. I've tried to become more active in leadership whenever I have an opportunity, to be a participant and not just a bystander."
"I'm grateful and appreciative that BYU-Hawaii supported me in this effort," Barton said.
Asked what her advice to young women at BYU-Hawaii is, Barton [pictured below, in the middle with two of her Bryn Mawr HERS colleagues] answered, "There's pulling from different sides. A lot of women will choose a traditional role, but more and more in society today we have single parents, and we have people not having the opportunity for marriage."
"I thought I was going to get a degree, get married, have children, and teach high school. That hasn't worked out the way I thought it would," she said. "I recommend that all women get as much education as they can."
Noting that President Thomas S. Monson of the First Presidency has made similar statements this year, Barton said, "The Church provides lots of leadership opportunities for both young men and women, but I think in addition, it's important to be willing to volunteer in the community, and develop as many skills and abilities as you can. Do things where you learn certain skills that you can't get in a college setting."
"Being as prepared as you can in every facet possible is the best way to prepare for the future, whatever it brings."