Killian building for the College of Education and Allied Professions basking in the September morning sun. Taken by Savanna Tenenoff
The College of Education and Allied Professions, the second-largest college at WCU started the year by making history for being fully led by females.
Dr. Kia Asberg, associate professor in Psychology, started as department head of Psychology on Jan. 1.
Without intention, the predominantly female field is going to be managed by women.
When looking for the new psychology department head, gender was not a factor. The team was looking for a leader who was inclusive, supportive, perspective, a good communicator that is empowering to others. The two finalists were chosen by their skills, not gender. This shows that the hard work behind becoming a woman in top chair positions is becoming more in reach for females.
The CEAP is only seeing its second female dean since 1936. Dean Betty L. Siegel’s portrait hangs proudly in Killian 202 among the other male deans. She was dean from 1976-1981. Siegel left Western to become Georgia’s first female president at Kennesaw State University in 1981 and stayed in this position for 25 years.
Dr. Richard Starnes, Vice-Chancellor of WCU and trained historian, noticed a change in female leadership at WCU over time. The number of female deans has been growing over time and has created diversity among leadership positions. The diversity proves positive in the college environment and is often encouraged by peers. Starnes explained how training and development in leadership programs have been inspiring for females striving for higher positions in university settings.
Starnes said, “diversity equals better teaching,” when discussing the impact on students.
To Starnes’s knowledge, this will be the first time that an entire college at WCU will have all leadership positions chaired by women.
Dr. Kim Winter, dean of the College of Education and Allied Professions, a mother, and professor strides for promotion in females and plans to bring female faculty together through retreats and events that are targeted towards women in the workplace.
Winter urges that in order to survive in the future, we must welcome and be ready to change. Becoming a parent in the workplace is a huge change that affects many. Becoming a mom has a significant change in time management among other things.
Department head and associate professor of Human Services at WCU, Dr. Lisen Roberts, talked about her struggles as being a female sitting in power among males. Meetings at 8 a.m. seemed to be a regular ongoing burden due to family priorities. Between getting kids ready for school and taking them to school, an 8 a.m. meeting is nearly impossible for a working mom.
Asberg, like Winter and Roberts, is a parent. She views it as an approach as opposed to an obstacle. With a 5-year-old to go home to, she desires safety among faculty, staff, and students at all times.
Asberg questioned, “if the chairs were filled by all men, would it be as big of a deal.” She wishes the change wasn’t such a big issue and considered abnormal. She explained that the shift shouldn’t be history-making, it should just be another changing of department heads.
Dr. Kelli R. Brown, the university’s first formal female chancellor, has been leading the university since July of 2019. Since being appointed, Brown has worked hard to push forth diversity and overall excellence within the university.
WCU is not new to female leadership. Before Brown took over the position, the university was led by Dr. Alison Morrison-Shetlar who was an interim chancellor for two years when Chancellor David Belcher took medical leave.
Although the overall shift hasn’t sparked large public or student reactions, the CEAP faculty share anticipation.
Dr. Kelly Tracy, director of the School of Teaching and Learning, shares her curiosity in what being an all-female leadership means. The change seems positive and visionary like any other change. The role change brings new light and ideas into the workspace.
Tracy is excited for a fresh start to the year and welcomes Asberg to the team. Tracy also thanks Malesky for being inclusive and collaborative with the other departments during his time.
Even with a positive male, there is a large shift when the room seats all women with no men in sight. It is a breath of fresh air that holds a silent freedom.
Dr. Patricia Bricker, associate dean of CEAP, said, “There’s been a strong passion in it for so long but now it is motion,” when talking about change and equality in the workplace.
Malesky has been in the role for nine years. He feels it was an advantage to have the experience as department head before COVID times. He is excited about the change.
Asberg was stunned and surprised when declared the next department head of psychology. Before Jan. 1, Asberg was already actively learning from her peers and other leadership chairs. It is a learning curve that she is overcoming.
In the transition from professor to department head, Asberg wants to hear the voice of the students and staff around her. She is honored and has great gratitude for the current head and her colleagues.
Asberg plans to show her support of students and faculty through listening to their goals and having realistic expectations of them. She wants to see even more growth in the department and looks forward to the new year.
