Women's College Coalition Leaders On Sweet Briar Closing; Why women’s colleges continue to be a vital option in higher education
Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) May 12, 2015 -- WOMEN’S COLLEGE COALITION LEADERS ON SWEET BRIAR CLOSING
Why women’s colleges continue to be a vital option in higher education
WHO: Michele Ozumba, president of the 45-member Women’s College Coalition (WCC); Dr. Elizabeth Kiss, Chair WCC Board of Directors, and President, Agnes Scott College
WHAT: The viability of women’s colleges as thriving, innovative contributors to a dynamic higher education and producing tomorrow’s local and global leaders as Sweet Briar College conducts its final commencement on May 15, 2015.
“Women’s colleges produce more women leaders than any other segment of higher education. These organizations are in a unique position to develop and foster leaders that are distinctively equipped to navigate and contribute to all sectors of the economy and society.” -- Michele Ozumba
“The real lesson of Sweet Briar’s closing is that it is not the death knell for women’s colleges. Instead, it is a clear signal that all colleges must adapt and innovate to thrive.” -- Dr. Elizabeth Kiss
CONTACT: Ellen Hartman to arrange in-person, phone or online interviews: 678-399-3335
BACKGROUND: The facts do not support the claim that women’s colleges are no longer financially sustainable. Women’s colleges offer many models of academic strength, operational success and financial stability. From higher graduation rates and post-graduate outcomes to the number of alumnae who hold leadership roles, women’s colleges perform at or above the level of most private co-ed colleges.
Consider these facts about women’s colleges and their alumnae:
• 53% increase in applications by female undergraduates to women’s colleges from 2004 to 2012.
• 76% retention for women’s colleges, higher than at co-ed private colleges.
• Nearly 50% of women’s college graduates earn advanced degrees.
• 81% of women’s college graduates felt their college was extremely or very effective in preparing them for their first job.
• 30% of Business Week’s 50 women who are rising starts in corporate America are graduates of women’s colleges.
• 33% of Fortune 1000 Board Members are graduates of a women’s college.
• 25% of current women Congress members attended a women’s college.
• 20% of Black Enterprise Magazine’s 20 most powerful African American women in corporate America graduated from women’s colleges.
• 14% of women Cabinet members in state government attended a women’s college.
For more facts, visit http://womenscolleges.org/discover/reports.
Ellen Hartman, Hartman Public Relations, LLC, http://www.hartmanpr.com, +1 678 399 3335, [email protected]
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