Why Become an Institutional Representative?
Our Institutional Representatives (IR) are vital in achieving the mission of Arizona Women in Higher Education. We work together each year to run the Mentorship program, enhance our outreach with our members, increase our sponsorships, host our annual conference, and any additional initiative that brings women in higher education together to discuss important issues and create connections. Together, we make lasting change!
Serving as an IR provides various professional development opportunities, as well as a unique way to serve your institution on a state-wide level. IRs develop lasting connections, relationships, as well as leadership skills vital in the workplace.
IR Responsibilities
The Institutional Representative serves an important role in the statewide network. IRs commit to the following responsibilities:
- Term and Appointment:
- Selected for a two-year term through an application process, with the possibility of reappointment after the two-year term is over.
- Each Institutional Representative must have documented support from their supervisor, including financial backing, for attending the AWHE Annual Conference Meeting.
- In the event an AWHE Institutional Representative cannot complete their term, they must notify the State Co-Chair(s) and work to secure a replacement from their institution.
- The replacement needs to complete an application and receive supervisor approval.
- If accepted, they will serve out the remainder of that 2-year term.
- Training:
- Attend virtual AWHE Institutional Representative training, traditionally held in the fall, to learn about the organization and begin planning.
- Representation:
- Serve as an official representative/Institutional Representative of AWHE network to their institution or organization. An institution can have multiple Institutional Representatives.
- Multiple Institutional Representatives from the same institution are encouraged to collaborate with each other and/or Board of Director members to effectively represent their institution.
- Act as a conduit for communications within their institution by utilizing email distribution lists, key groups (staff council, faculty council, other groups, calendars, etc.), and other marketing avenues.
- Participation:
- Participate actively in AWHE-sponsored meetings and events when possible.
- Attend the majority of meetings, including committee planning meetings, all Institutional Representative group meetings, and the annual conference.
- Ensure personal budget considerations and/or departmental financial support for attending required events are addressed.
- Monitoring and Accountability:
- Attendance and participation will be monitored by State Co-Chairs during monthly Institutional Representative meetings.
- Committee chairs will track and report Institutional Representative participation and attendance in their meetings.
- If an Institutional Representative has attendance or engagement issues, committee chairs will notify the State Co-Chairs, who will attempt to reach out up to three times. If unresponsive, the Institutional Representative will be marked as inactive and notified via email.
- Support Board of Directors:
- Assist the Board of Directors in developing plans and implementing programs and activities initiated by the Board.
- Committee Involvement:
- Serve on at least one AWHE committee. Possible committees include, but are not limited to, conference planning, professional development, sponsorships/grants, and membership/outreach.
- Benefits:
- Discounted registration to the annual conference to be determined on an annual basis.
- Skill development by participating in one of the following committees: Conference Planning, Professional Development, Sponsorships and Grants, Membership and Outreach including but not limited to organizational skills, coordinating events, utilizing digital tools i.e. web developer, social media, interpersonal skills, presentation and much more.
- Networking and support from women leaders on the Board of Directors
Submit the IR Application
Thank you for your interested in becoming an IR.
The application form for the 2025-2027 Institutional Representative term will be available April 2, 2025.
Important Application Dates
- Applications available: April 2, 2025
- Applications due: May 9, 2025
- Applications reviewed and individuals contacted with acceptance: June 2025
- First meeting for 2024-25 year: July 2025
- Attend the annual conference: TBD March/April 2026
Please email awhe@awhe.org if you have questions about the application or expectations of becoming an IR.