BY NIKOLE THREATS

SC Contributing Writer 

On Thursday, November 21, 2013, Dr. Kimberly S. Adams hosted East Stroudsburg University’s “Women as Leaders” meeting.

The meeting was held in the form of a roundtable, which included four female panelists sharing their experiences as leaders. Adam’s hope was to inspire other young females by having the panelists share experiences from their lives.

The panel featured Dr. Ginamarie Foglia, who served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps and is currently the Clinical Development Director at Sanofi Pasteur Inc. Linda Diffley, the Vice President and General Manager of Patterson-Kelley, Suzanna McCool, County Commissioner of ten years, and Dr. Marcia G. Welsh, ESU’s president were also in attendance.

Representative Rosemary Brown was unable to attend the event due to an unforeseen scheduling conflict at the state capital.

Nearly every seat in the lecture hall in Stroud 117, where the panel was hosted, was filled.

The event started when Dr. Adams introduced the panelists and asked them questions to help the audience better understand their backgrounds.

Although Dr. Adams created the event for her Women and Politics class, students from the communication studies department, ROTC program and others attended.

Questions asked of the panelists provoked answers that focused on seeking a mentor, dealing with the stereotypical mean girls, and more.

“Do you feel that you have had support from other women, or do you feel that other women have been cutthroat?” asked Abdelis Vega, a junior from the communication studies department.

“All of my mentors except for one were women,” Said Dr. Foglia.  “I think it is important to find women that you can aspire to. Having mentors is very important. But yes there are women who are going to be jealous of where you are and what you have. But if you are doing what you feel is right, then put your head down and do your work. The people you surround yourself with will have great impact on where you will go.”

Drew Johnson, a sophomore communication studies major, asked how men can help to support women leaders.

“When you see a young woman who is holding back, be the one to step forward and encourage her to do what she didn’t think she could do. I think it is also important to have mentors as females—it is ok for men to have female mentors,” said President Welsh.

Sophomore Chantal Fulgencio asked, “If you could define your leadership how would you in one word?”

“Direct,” said Diffley, “What you see is what you get. You can’t be phony, and I think that strength can be misconstrued. But most people do look for that honesty.”

Email Nikole at:

 naj8025@live.esu.edu