RAMP-Up would like to encourage all women faculty to participate in the upcoming Women’s Leadership Webinar Series. In collaboration with the School of Engineering and as part of Rensselaer's Professional Development Program, the Division of Human Resources is pleased to provide a free workshop entitled "Winning the Game of Office Politics."

Facilitated by individuals from Women's Leadership Coaching Inc., this workshop is part of a six-part "Women's Leadership Webinar Series" designed to aid participants in learning proven strategies for gaining credibility, establishing your brand as a leader, expanding your influence and leading breakthrough results. This particular session will explore the difference between office politics and organizational awareness, providing participants with an understanding of the dynamics of power and influence in their organizations.

The workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19th, from 1:00pm - 3:00pm. The workshop is free, however, registration is required.

The format will include a one-hour webinar, followed by roundtable discussion for those wishing to participate. The registration deadline for this workshop is the end of the day on Friday, August 14, 2009. Please note that you must also get approval from your manager to attend this webinar. Seminar space is limited, so don't wait....register today!

Additional information regarding Rensselaer's Professional Development Program, including registration forms, can be viewed via the HR website http://hr.rpi.edu/update.do?artcenterkey=288

If you would like to register, or if you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Will Fahey, Manager of Professional and Organizational Development, by calling 276-2318 or via e-mail faheyw@rpi.edu.

The kick-off T.E.A.S. covered the topic of "Self-Promotion" and featured a panel discussion led by Professor Kristin Bennett (Mathematical Sciences). Panelists included Mark Holmes, Professor of Mathematical Sciences; Natacha DePaola, Professor and Chair of Biomedical Engineering; and Cheryl Geisler, Professor and Chair of Language, Literature & Communications.

Ideas for self-promotion suggested during the seminar:

• Volunteer to organize a conference
• Invite speakers to seminars at your institution
• Volunteer to be an editor for a journal in your field
• Become aware of who can help you within your community and find a way to make a connection
• Use facilitators (i.e., your department head) who can introduce you to colleagues at other institutions
• Reach out and help colleagues make connections
• Spend time thinking about where your work will appear and choose the best journals for your work
• Share your accomplishments with department chairs or deans
• Be sure accomplishments are included in faculty evaluations

Suggested reading: “Becoming Visible: Effective Self-Promotion” by the Women in Cell Biology can be found at http://www.ascb.org/files/0606wicb.pdf

On September 24, 2008, RAMP-Up held a reception to welcome new women faculty members to Rensselaer. Speakers included Dr. Cheryl Geisler, who welcomed new faculty and introduced faculty coaches; Professor Kristin Bennett, who introduced the new T.E.A.S. Initiative, a series of monthly seminars that will feature strategies for advancement and provide networking opportunities; and Dr. Deborah Kaminski who spoke about the Career Campaign awards. Tetherless World Senior Constellation Professor Deborah McGuinness addressed the importance of nominating women faculty members for major searches to fill leadership positions.

Other speakers included Deanna Thompson, Professor of Engineering, who spoke about forming a Day Care Committee to look at the possible expansion of the current facility, and Melissa Schoonmaker from A New England Nanny, who spoke about the company's Pinch Hitter service which provides Rensselaer faculty with in-home, dependent care on days when regular care is unavailable.

Special guests Professors Alice Dean from Skidmore and Brenda Johnson from Union College attended the reception. Both colleges have recently received an NSF grant and are interested in working with the RAMP-Up leadership team on future projects.