UpDate - Vol. 13, No. 4, Page 3
September 23, 1993
Summer program; Administrator gains insights at Bryn Mawr Institute

     Zenobia Hikes, associate director of admissions, is the latest
Delaware alumna of the Summer Institute for Women in Higher Education
Administration. A total of 12 other women on campus have participated in
the intensive, month-long program, and Maxine Colm, vice president of
Employee Relations, serves on the faculty.
     Founded 18 years ago to improve the status of women in higher
education administration, the program is jointly sponsored by the Higher
Education Resource Services, Mid-America, and Bryn Mawr College, where it
is held. This summer, 77 women from the United States, Canada, Nigeria and
South Africa participated.
     Calling it a "wonderful learning experience and a great opportunity,"
Hikes said she would recommend the program to any woman involved in higher
education.
     "The program gives you an overall view of your own institution and
higher education in general, a chance to interact with a group of dynamic
women, and promotes self-growth and a clearer understanding of career
goals," she said.
     As part of her preliminary "homework," Hikes was required to visit
various administrators and offices at Delaware and collect information
about the University in such areas as finance and affirmative action.
     "This gave me a a broader view of the University and how it compares
with other schools represented at the institute," Hikes said.
     The coursework at the institute was divided into four units-the
academic environment, concerned with such issues as strategic planning and
multiculturalism; the external environment, examining political, social and
economic trends in higher education; the institutional environment,
addressing such topics as budgeting, resource allocation and student
affairs; and professional development, including leadership skills and
self-assessment.
     The schedule was intensive, Hikes said, from with sessions from 8 a.m.
until 9:30 p.m.
     In addition to the faculty, outside speakers addressed the group.
     "It was a competitive and stimulating environment, with more than 60
percent of the women holding doctorates. We covered all aspects of higher
education from faculty concerns to budgets to student affairs. The program
was truly beneficial to you and to your institution," Hikes said.
     In the area of professional development, each participant made a
brief, videotaped presentation, which was critiqued by two consultants.
They learned how to improve resume writing skills.
     Career mapping was another part of the program, in which the women
established 10-year goals and strategies to assist in realizing career
objectives.
     An added bonus of the program is that Hikes and other women from
colleges in the area intend to get together on an informal, networking
basis. Hikes and the other African-American participants at the institute
also are involved in establishing an African-American Women Research
Alliance
     A graduate of Spelman College with a master's degree from Georgia
Southwestern College, Hikes develops strategies to attract African-American
and Latino students to the University.
     Hikes said she has a special interest in first-generation college
students and speaks about higher education opportunities to parents and
high school students at community centers and churches. Hikes also
represents the University on the Northeast Alliance in Wilmington.