Carol Rocklin Kay Scholarship Experiences

With the Carol Rocklin Kay Memorial Scholarship, I was able to attend the Way Up conference and meet and network with many incredible women from across the state. I learned from the panelist about how to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace and in classrooms. I learned from keynote speakers about how sometimes you need to take a detour to know you're on the right path. I learned from my fellow attendees about how many different opportunities there are in higher education!

The Way-Up Conference was the most empowering experience of my life that will resonate with me for years to come. I had the opportunity to network with so many strong and intellectual women. The sessions and keynote speakers were incredible and very thought-provoking. I was taught ways to embrace the journey and to make the most of my future endeavors. Getting the opportunity to be a part of this conference was truly an honor and I am gracious to the Way-Up Planning Council for making it such a memorable experience.

Attending my first Way Up Conference in 2018 was a remarkable experience. My time at the conference was a wonderful combination of being challenged by new knowledge and exceptional colleagues, and of feeling the incredible support of the community of women in attendance. The conference is about investing in your own professional growth to better serve our students. I look forward to attending future conferences and gaining information and inspiration again

I am so deeply honored and grateful for being awarded the opportunity to attend The Way Up Conference. Meeting and sharing my dreams for a future career with other like-minded excellent role models has been the most inspiring part for me as an international and first-generation female student. Stories and suggestions from the highly engaging keynote and breakout sessions have been more than motivating to me. I benefited beyond wonderful networking opportunities, insightful advice, and resource-sharing at the conference, I sincerely appreciate the support from Carol Rocklin Kay Memorial Scholarship and would strongly encourage all other females in higher education to attend The Way Up Conference.

During The Way Up Conference, I was afforded the opportunity to interact with some of the most inspiring women in higher education. I will be forever grateful for the advice, support and encouragement that I received from those women. My experience at the conference was both motivational and empowering. Hearing the stories of those women leaders has shown me that I, too, can be successful. It also opened my eyes to the numerous possibilities available to me, particularly, as a woman of color in higher education. Therefore, it is my hope that my story will one day inspire other women who aspire to pursue a rewarding career in higher education.

I strongly encourage every woman in higher education to attend The Way Up Conference. Each session gave me good information while also energizing me to improve myself. There are also great opportunities to meet and talk with other woman who are working in higher education. The learning and networking opportunities are amazing. I look forward to this conference every year and was fortunate to receive the Carol Rocklin Kay Memorial Scholarship to support my attendance last year.

Attending The Way Up Conference was more than listening to exceptional keynote speakers and participating in interactive sessions. It was an opportunity to connect with other women in higher education. The opportunity to build my professional network was invaluable. I would strongly encourage any woman in higher education to attend The Way Up Conference!

I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend The Way Up Conference XXVII through the Carol Rocklin Kay Memorial Scholarship. It was a great experience! I had the chance to meet so many talented and knowledgeable women from diverse areas of higher education across the state of Iowa. Each keynote speaker and break-out session left me with some important take-aways that I can incorporate into my continuing graduate work, my assistantship, and (soon) my career. I would highly recommend The Way Up Conference to anyone who is interested in furthering their own career in higher education and those who are looking to help others through their knowledge, leadership, and networking capabilities. I’m already looking forward to next year’s conference!

Receiving the Carol Rocklin Kay Memorial Scholarship allowed me to attend the Way Up Conference for the first time this year. During the conference I was able to network and form many new relationships with leaders from a variety of institutions in Iowa, and was grateful for the opportunity to hear their stories and exchange ideas. I would recommend the conference to any graduate students or professionals who want to build relationships with colleagues and learn high quality information that will improve their career.

As a graduate student with a tight budget, the Carol Rocklin Kay Memorial Scholarship enabled me to attend the Way Up conference when I wouldn't have been able to attend otherwise. I learned from the sessions, enjoyed networking with females leaders in higher education, and left feeling inspired. Since I'm a newcomer to Iowa, it was also great to get a broad view of all the wonderful higher education activity going on across state!