Alabama State University’s Christine Thomas and Tanjula Petty were selected as keynote speakers at the National Diversity Congress’s “Women in Leadership Higher Education Conference” at Harvard University in November.
Thomas, associate vice president for Institutional Effectiveness, and Petty, interim assistant provost of Academic Affairs, are known around the ASU campus as the “Dynamic Duo” for their combined work on similar programs, according to the university’s media relations office.
Both women will both speak at the Nov. 5 conference about disparities and leadership gaps for women, media’s coverage of the #MeToo movement and the increasing research in gender inequalities for women in executive roles.
“To be invited to present on such an important platform such as this event in November is an astonishing accomplishment for Dr. Thomas and myself, and it reinforces the fact that Alabama State University is a much respected world-class institution of higher education,” Petty told the university’s media relations office.
“Our being selected as keynote speakers symbolizes both our and ASU’s commitment and dedication to leadership roles nationwide,” Thomas said. “It also showcases the great talent here at ASU and the University’s historic role in developing transformational leaders such as Jo Ann Robinson, Thelma Glass and other pioneers in education and beyond.”
Both said their goal is to engage participants in self-reflection to help them navigate in a world of continuous change.
“It is my hope that we are able to leave an ASU-footprint of empowering, encouraging and equipping other leaders with the tools that help them and their schools succeed,” Thomas said.
