Successful Women in Agriculture:

Mentoring Young Leaders

Amanda L. Martin, Student Recruitment & Alumni

Relations Coordinator

Ellie Isbell, Assistant Student Recruitment

Coordinator

Background Information

• Change in demographics of agriculture

• More women than men—53% female in COA

at Auburn

• 2858 female graduates

• Need for a leadership and mentoring

group

• Alumni & Stakeholder feedback

• Reflection of our own organization

• Auburn University Faculty: 37% Female

• Auburn University Executive/Administration:

38% Female

Background Information

• Social Development Theory

• Women find their identity by relating to

others

• Five other women’s groups

• COSAM, Human Sciences, Business,

Engineering, Athletics

• Support of our students

• Mentors

• Networking

• Envisioning success

What is Successful Women

in Agriculture?

• Annual giving donor society

• Mentoring and scholarships

• A joint effort between the College of

Agriculture’s Development and Student

Services offices

• Scholarships are funded by Successful

Women in Agriculture members’ annual

gifts at any of four levels:

• $100

• $250

• $500

• $1,000

Purpose

• Provide professional contacts and

mentors

• Add another level of professional

development programming for our

students

• Reconnect with alumni to share their

story*

• Opportunity to award scholarships

• Engage faculty & staff to sponsor students

History of Donor Society

• First Year

• Two on campus networking events

• Two $1,000 scholarships awarded in the

spring

• Second Year

• Online member directory

• Addition of professional development

conference

• Two $1,000 scholarships awarded in the

spring

Fall Formal Event

• Leadership Panel Luncheon-1st

Year

• Format of event

• Selection of panel

• Sponsorships for students

Spring Formal Event

• Scholarship Award Luncheon

• Different event format….

• Floral arranging

• Scholarship Awards

• Student Speakers

Fall Professional

Development Conference

• Networking and Development Opportunities

• Hosted on campus with members and students

• Members presented workshop sessions

• Keynote address from AgCareers.com

• Luncheon panel for open forum with speakers

Online Member Directory

• A way to keep connected

• Members & Students have access

• Follow up after events

• Share advice and success stories

Successes

• Number of members in first year: 41

• Event attendance: 50-60 per event

• Money raised in year one

• Memberships: $5300

• Event Sponsorship: $750

• Scholarships

Student Perspective

• How this experience shaped my career

goals and Auburn experience

• Why an organization like this is

important for female students in

agriculture

Moving Forward

• Increase membership

• Establish corporate sponsors

• Continue expanding on the conference

• Develop Executive Board

• Create scholarship endowments

How can you become

involved?

• Review the information we provided

about joining

• Present as a guest at our conference

• November 10th

• Attend an event as a guest

What can you do?

• Make connections with the

universities

• Find opportunities to mentor students

formally or informally

• Consider how a program like this may

fit into your corporate culture

Questions & Feedback