Oklahoma Women in Higher Education

The OKWHE Executive Board has closed proposal submissions for the 2023 Fall Conference being held on Friday, November 17th at the University of Central Oklahoma. This year's theme is "We Can Do It: Enhancing Women's Leadership in Higher Education!" .

Please consider presenting at the 2024 OKWHE Fall conference -- we would love to hear from you! Proposal submission will open August/September of 2024.

For questions, please contact one of the Conference Co-Chairs, Dr. Darla Fent-Kelly or Dr. Susmita Hazra.
 

2024 Fall Conference being held on Friday, November 22nd at the University of Central Oklahoma. Our conference theme is "“EmpoweHERing: Vision and Success!".

For questions, please contact one of the Conference Co-Chairs, Dr. MIchelle Johnson or Dr. Susmita Hazra.
 

Conference Theme: Game Changers: Celebrating 20 Years of Leadership
Date: November 21, 2025
Location: University of Central Oklahoma

Oklahoma Women in Higher Education (OKWHE) proudly invites you to join us in celebrating a remarkable milestone—20 years of empowering women leaders in higher education. Since our founding, OKWHE has served as a vital network dedicated to supporting, connecting, and advancing women in colleges and universities across Oklahoma. Through leadership development, mentoring, and collaboration, we strive to build a community that fosters equity, excellence, and opportunity for women in higher education.

This year’s Fall Conference, themed Game Changers: Celebrating 20 Years of Leadership, honors two decades of transformative leadership, advocacy, and innovation. Together, we will reflect on the progress women have made in higher education, recognize the trailblazers who paved the way, and prepare for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

The 20th anniversary conference will feature dynamic keynote speakers, engaging breakout sessions, and opportunities for networking and mentorship. Participants will leave with renewed inspiration, practical strategies, and strengthened connections to support their ongoing leadership journeys.

Call for Proposals

OKWHE invites proposals for presentations that align with our conference theme: Game Changers: Celebrating 20 Years of Leadership. We welcome submissions from faculty, staff, administrators, and students who showcase innovative ideas, research, and practices that uplift and empower women in higher education.

Proposal Topics May Include (but are not limited to):

• Women as game changers: stories of leadership, advocacy, and impact
• Strategies for navigating challenges in higher education leadership
• Mentorship and sponsorship as catalysts for career advancement
• Cultivating resilience, balance, and well-being as leaders
• Lessons learned from trailblazing women in Oklahoma higher education
• Practical tools and strategies for emerging leaders

Session Format
Concurrent Sessions/Presentations (45 minutes) – Research, case studies, or applied practices. Presenters should plan to present for 30 minutes and allow for 15 minutes for discussion and engagement with session participants.

Submission Guidelines
Deadline for Proposal Submission: October 24, 2025
Notification of Acceptance: November 3, 2025
Proposal Requirements:

• Submission Guidelines
  • Title of the session
  • Presenter(s) name, title, and institution
  • Abstract (150–200 words)
  • Session description, format, and learning outcomes (300–500 words)
  • Brief bio for each presenter

For questions about the Fall Conference, please contact
Conference Co-Chairs, Dr. Michelle A. Johnson, mjohnson160@uco.edu, or Marianna Bohmann, mbennett16@uco.edu