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Office of the Provost

Women's Leadership Institute

Schedule of Events

University of South Carolina Russell House Student Union
April 30, 2025

We are excited to celebrate the 22nd year of the Women’s Leadership Institute with you! The theme this year is A Journey Beyond Limits. We will have an outstanding keynote speaker, another speaker after lunch, and three hours of concurrent sessions encompassing 20+ workshops. We will wrap up the day with a slew of door prizes! Tracks this year include Breaking Barriers, Utilizing Campus Resource, Building Resilience, Gender and Health, Building Your Brand and more. There is definitely something for everyone!

Major Speakers

Keynote Speaker

headshot of mary alexander

Mary Alexander, Ph.D.

Vice Provost for Administration and Operations at Baylor University
Founder of the Women’s Leadership Institute at the University of South Carolina

As the vice provost for administration and operations, Mary Alexander is responsible for the annual budgeting process for academic units, the financial components of hiring, execution of strategic initiatives, and providing financial analytical support to the provost, vice provosts, deans, and directors in the academy. She also works with various stakeholders and project teams across the university in support of the strategic plan.

Prior to her employment at Baylor, Mary Alexander served in a similar role as vice provost for academic affairs and chief of staff at the University of South Carolina, where she provided administrative leadership in budget development, forecasting, internal grant processes, and strategic planning for areas reporting to the divisions of academic affairs. Additional responsibilities included managing the faculty and staff hiring within academic affairs, the office of military affairs, ROTC, the office of continuing education and conferences, and community engagement. At USC she also served as the chair of the Classroom Enhancements Committee, a member of the Provost Advisory Committee on Women’s Initiatives, a member of the space and needs committee, a member of capital planning committee, an ex-officio member of Faculty Senate budget committee and was the University’s Emergency Management Situation Unit Leader.

She earned her B.A., M.P.A., and Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina and began her career in higher education in 2009 at the University of South Carolina. She is a member of several professional organizations and taught several master-level courses in public administration at the University of South Carolina, including Human Resource Management and Administrative Leadership. Alexander was recently recognized with the national leadership award for the Advancement of Women in Higher Education from the American Council on Education.

Women Leaders in Higher Education Panel

headshot of anna edwards

Anna Edwards, Ph.D.

University of South Carolina

Anna Edwards serves as Chief of Staff for President Michael Amiridis. In this role, she serves as the primary liaison between the president for internal and external matters. Providing advice and organization to the president, her work includes the championing of presidential initiatives and strategic planning. Dr. Edwards serves on several university committees, including the president’s cabinet and serving as co-chair for university commencements. Prior to this role, Dr. Edwards served the Division of Student Affairs & Academic Support for more than 20 years, most recently as the Associate Vice President for Student Life and Chief of Staff for the Division.

Edwards most favorite roles are wife to Josh, and mom to three – two daughters - a rising college freshman, a high school sophomore and, and 4th grade son.

Edwards earned her doctorate in educational administration and master's in higher education and student affairs from the University of South Carolina and a bachelor's in political science and speech and communication studies from Clemson University. She is also a graduate of Harvard University’s Institute for Management and Leadership in Education and Crisis Management in Higher Education program.

headshot of sandra rouse

Sandra Rouse, Ph.D.

Columbia College

Dr. Sandra Rouse serves as the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Columbia College. She has 27 years of experience in higher education, serving institutions in North and South Carolina. 

Dr. Rouse attained her doctorate in Higher Education Administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She holds a M.F.A in Creative Writing from Liberty University, a M.Ed. in Student Personnel Services with a Counseling emphasis from the University of South Carolina and a B.A. in Psychology with a second major in Dance from Columbia College. She has served a number of organizations as a choreographer and instructor, including Orangeburg Civic Ballet and the Newberry College Dance Team.

Dr. Rouse enjoys making jewelry and serving as a judge for Miss America preliminary competitions. An avid reader, she has a personal goal of becoming a novelist of historical fiction. Dr. Rouse and her husband, Todd Berry, reside in Columbia.

 
headshot of donna zeek

Donna Zeek, Ph.D.

Midlands Technical College

Dr. Donna Zeek is Director of Curriculum and Dean of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies at Midlands Technical College. She manages development and revision of all academic programs, general education curricula, and articulation and transfer agreements at MTC. She provides administrative leadership for the programs within the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, and she personally develops a customized curriculum plan for every student pursuing an interdisciplinary pathway at MTC.

Donna graduated from the University of South Carolina with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Philosophy, as well as a PhD in Higher Education Administration.


Schedule of Events

Time Event Location
8:15 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Light breakfast and informal networking Russell House Ballroom (207)
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Conference welcome Russell House Ballroom (207)
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Keynote Speaker Russell House Ballroom (207)
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Concurrent Sessions Round One – Pick from seven sessions! Various rooms, 2nd & 3rd floor, Russell House
12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch Russell House Ballroom (207)
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Women Leaders in Higher Education Panel Russell House Ballroom (207)
1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Concurrent Sessions Round Two – Pick from seven sessions! Various rooms, 2nd & 3rd floor, Russell House
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Concurrent Sessions Round Three – Pick from seven sessions! Various rooms, 2nd & 3rd floor, Russell House
4:10 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Closing and Door Prizes! Russell House Ballroom (207)


Supporting Denim Day

April is Sexual Assault Awareness month and the last Wednesday in April each year is Denim Day. April 30 is that day! Denim day encourages individuals to wear denim to combat the idea that rape and sexual violence are the fault or responsibility of the survivors.

According to the SC Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault 42.3% of SC women and 29.2% of SC men experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner sexual violence, and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes. Attendees to the conference are welcome to wear denim!

Additionally, WLI supports a local non-profit each year and ask attendees to bring items to support their work. This year WLI will be supporting the Hive Community Circle, a non-profit that supports women and girls overcome the trauma of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking.

They have requested donations that focus on cleaning supplies. Examples shared include:

  • Detergent
  • Bleach Wipes
  • Dishwasher Soap
  • Ajax (powder or liquid)
  • Fabuloso
  • Scrubbing Bubbles
  • Tilex Clorox
  • Cleaning Tools- such as cleaning scrub pads, sponges, etc.

Donation boxes will be set up on the second floor of the Russell House.

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.

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