The University of Central Arkansas will host the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas “Girls of Promise” conference on Saturday, April 6 at Lewis Science Center on the campus. The conference will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with registration starting at 8:15 a.m.
Cosponsored by the UCA Foundation, Inc., the Girls of Promise conference will feature keynote speaker Kimberly Hambuchen, NASA aeronautics engineer. Other speakers include UCA Associate Professor Debra Burris and Allyn Fuell, environmental scientist, GBMc & Associates. Every year at Girls of Promise conferences, Arkansas girls meet and learn from women with amazing careers, such as scientists, astronauts, physicians, computer systems engineers, and others.
“We are so pleased that UCA can participate in a program which provides young women a chance to learn about educational and employment opportunities in STEM occupations,” said Jan Davis, UCA director of planned giving and local committee chair.
The Girls of Promise conference, started in 2000 by the Women’s Foundation, introduces 8th grade girls across Arkansas to information about careers in areas related to math, science and technology while giving them the opportunity to meet with women professionals for greater understanding of their own potential and power.
The conference will be emceed by Conway Schools Gifted and Talented Administrator, Charlotte Green.
Several companies and organizations also are helping to support the event through in-kind donations: Acxiom, Hewlett-Packard, Privacy Star, Southwestern Energy, Tokusen, Conway Regional Medical Center, and the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.
Girls of Promise conferences help the Women’s Foundation achieve its mission of “promoting philanthropy among women and helping women and girls achieve their full potential” by providing inspiration to young girls that expands their understanding of their own power and possibilities. Through participation in “Girls of Promise” programs, girls begin to believe they can be and do anything.
