GVSU director named state coordinator for higher education network

LANSING, Mich. - The director of the Women's Center at Grand Valley State University will lead Michigan's largest professional network for women who work in higher education.

Marlene Kowalski-Braun was named state coordinator of the Michigan ACE (American Council on Education) Network for Women Leaders in Higher Education at the organization's annual conference held in early June in Lansing. Kowalski-Braun has served as Women's Center director since it opened at Grand Valley in 2000.

More than 260 women faculty, administrators and staff members from Michigan colleges and universities attended the two-day conference to discuss leadership strategies, professional development and the future of higher education.

Kowalski-Braun will serve a two-year term as state coordinator. She said she will continue to draw on the talents of MI-ACE board members. “I look forward to creating two-way conversations related to the challenges and opportunities that present themselves as we continue to grow as a state network,” she said.

The past state coordinator was Christine Hammond, from Michigan State University's Office of Global Engagement.

Author and researcher Sara Laschever was the conference's keynote speaker. She detailed the reasons why women are less likely than men to negotiate to improve their professional circumstances. Laschever, author of “Ask For It: How Women Can Use the Power of Negotiation to Get What They Really Want,” offered ideas for success in the workplace:

-- Assume everything is negotiable;
-- Do research before presenting your business case;
-- Set a high target;
-- Build confidence and develop your skills.

Also at the conference, Gayle R. Davis, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at GVSU, was named the MI-ACE Distinguished Woman in Higher Education.

The 2010 Michigan ACE Conference will be held June 7-8 at the James B. Henry Center for Executive Development in Lansing. For more information about the Michigan ACE Network, visit www.miacenetwork.org.

Media note: A photo of Kowalski-Braun is available by contacting Michele Coffill at [email protected].