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Despite making up nearly half of the workforce in higher education, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles. According to the American Council on Education (2022), only 30 percent of college and university presidents are women, and women of color represent just five percent. This disparity highlights the critical need for leadership development opportunities tailored to women in academia. CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development (SEHD) is proud to support and celebrate faculty and staff who have recently participated in prestigious women's leadership programs.

Faculty and staff honorees

Courtney Donovan, PhD — ResearcHER award

Dr. Courtney Donovan received the ResearcHER award from Women in Measurement, an organization dedicated to advancing gender and racial equity in educational measurement leadership. Her project explores equity within higher education institutions in the U.S., aiming to define and measure the concept of equity to foster a deeper understanding of equitable experiences.

"I am honored to receive this award as it will allow me to not only conduct meaningful research to understand equity, but also to connect with incredible women in the measurement profession," said Donovan. "I look forward to the mentorship and exposure this will provide for myself, my research, and to bring that learning and energy to support my female students interested in the measurement profession."

Rashmi Gangamma, PhD — Excellence in Leadership Program

Dr. Rashmi Gangamma participated in the CU System's Excellence in Leadership Program (ELP) for the 2024-25 academic year. Through immersive workshops and panel discussions across CU campuses, she gained insights into leadership in higher education.

"I was thrilled to be selected for the ELP program, and it was easily the highlight of my academic year," said Gangamma. "I had the privilege of connecting with colleagues across campuses and received much support in navigating challenges in my role. The speakers who shared their experiences and wisdom in all day-long trainings were exceptional. My big takeaways about leadership in academia were surprisingly similar to the main themes in my own work of training family systems therapists—including the importance of intentionality, compassion, and relationship building in leading higher education."

Bryn Harris, PhD — CU Denver Women's Leadership Program

Dr. Bryn Harris created and leads the CU Denver Women's Leadership Program, which began in August 2024. The program supports academic leaders through self-reflection, mentorship, and training aligned with CU Denver's 2030 Strategic Plan. Participants in this program are empowered to contribute to the future development of higher education at CU Denver, address gender bias obstacles, and better recognize talent, thus reducing barriers to career opportunities. Graduates of the program are well-equipped to mentor and advocate for future generations of leaders at CU Denver. Moreover, CU Denver's dedication to supporting the leadership development of women plays a crucial role in the recruitment and retention of faculty and staff. The program includes various training, reflective, networking, mentorship and social opportunities over the course of an academic year. Harris’s leadership engagement has been extensive. She participated in the prestigious HERS Leadership Institute in 2023, which fueled her desire to start a similar program at CU Denver. She is now leading the university’s Center for Faculty Development.

"I created and will continue to lead this program," said Harris. "The development of this program has also allowed me to build my own connections within CU Denver and learn more about the amazing leaders at this institution."

Julia Cummings, MBA — Academic Management Institute

Julia Cummings, SEHD's marketing and communications director, was selected for the 2024-25 Academic Management Institute (AMI), sponsored by the Colorado Network of Women Leaders. She was chosen by a CU Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus committee for her leadership potential and accomplishments.

"I'm most grateful for this amazing opportunity to engage with empathetic, strong, and resilient women who helped me reflect on what it means to lead in higher education during unprecedented times," said Cummings. "I developed a greater awareness of my core leadership strengths by taking and discussing a Strengths Deployment Inventory (SDI) assessment. I received amazing mentorship from several board members of AMI who encouraged me to push myself to achieve my career goals. In addition, I made some great friends. I highly recommend this program to others."

Nicole Holland, MA and Natalie Schaffer — Supervisor Management Academy

Nicole Holland and Natalie Schaffer participated in CU Denver's Supervisor Management Academy, which focuses on developing supervisory skills and building a supportive community.

"What I enjoyed about this program was the camaraderie between participants and learning best practices from peers across the university," said Schaffer. "We had robust discussions, shared the challenges and victories of being a supervisor, and gained valuable insight from leaders on campus."

Holland added, "I most appreciated the opportunity that the Supervisor Management Academy experience provided to network with other supervisors across campus. The academy allowed for time and space to learn from one another through honest conversations and applied activities."

The CU Denver School of Education & Human Development is committed to fostering the success of women within the institution by supporting leadership development and creating pathways for advancement. These programs not only empower individual participants but also strengthen the university's mission to be a leader in inclusive excellence.

“I am very proud to support women leaders in SEHD through their engagement in professional development opportunities,” said Dean Marvin Lynn. “In higher education, fostering women’s leadership is essential to cultivating inclusive academic environments and driving institutional excellence.