Weber State University’s chapter of the Utah Women in Higher Education Network participated in a state-wide conference held at Westminster College in Salt Lake City. UWHEN aims to promote and build strong professional networks for women in higher education.

Teri Bladen, former chair of UWHEN and current WSU director of campus recreation, was honored with the Distinguished Leader Award at the conference on April 7. Bladen was nominated by colleagues and then voted on by the state board to be awarded.

“I’m doing something that I think is very important and that I love,” Bladen said, “Just being involved with this network and trying to further women’s initiatives.”

Bladen said she didn’t expect the award and is grateful for the recognition.

UWHEN is modeled after and supports the American Council on Education Women’s Network. There are 52 networks nationwide, with one in each state, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

The six ideals of the network are identifying, developing, encouraging, advancing, linking and supporting women in higher education.

“It’s a great opportunity to connect not just with Weber State, but with people all over that share similar values and goals,” Stephanie Speicher, past-president of the chapter and WSU digital fluency faculty in residence, said.

Weber State is one of four campus chapters in Utah. The other chapters are located at Utah Technical University, Salt Lake Community College and Southern Utah University, as listed on the UWHEN website. Universities can be members and not have an official chapter.

WSU’s chapter has its own set of bylaws that align with the state and national goals. The network’s page on Weber.edu reads, “Our chapter advocates for an inclusive climate that shapes the institutional and public agenda for higher education.”

Mercedes Ziegler, chapter marketing and research coordinator and WSU’s violence prevention coordinator, said that the chapter is striving to promote diversity that reflects the WSU community.

“We are aware that we need more diversity in UWHEN,” Ziegler said, “and we do acknowledge the experiences of all of the different intersections of identity that occur in women in higher education.”

Individuals who identify as women are the focus of the network, but everyone is welcome in participating with UWHEN.

“Regardless of how you identify, everyone is welcome in our events,” Speicher said.

At past conferences, there have been workshops specifically to help men and allies support women in higher education. Speicher and Bladen commended WSU President Brad Mortensen for his support of UWHEN. Mortensen will often go to and participate in events, “And that speaks volumes,” Speicher said.

“I know President Brad Mortensen is a huge supporter of the Weber state chapter,” Bladen said. “When I became the state chair, it was with the blessing from Brad.”

Ziegler said that as a young girl, she dreamed of an opportunity like this.

“Being surrounded by this wealth of experience and expertise and knowledge … we all kind of fought our way through what it is to be a woman in any kind of workplace or academic setting,” Ziegler said. “We’ve overcome those barriers, and we’re here and we’re together doing all of these wonderful things.”

For more information go to weber.edu/uwhen. Specifics about future events will be posted on the university’s announcement page.