Harvard Breaks Their Rules
Posted: February 15, 2007, 12:38 PM by Leslie Grossman
Congratulations Harvard!
Welcome Drew Gilpin Faust, the first female president of what some consider the top university in the US. After 371 years, since its founding, and a bonfire of criticism of its previous president Lawrence Summers, who suggested that women's lack of ability explained why less women than men are at the top in math and science in the educational arena -- Harvard chose a woman to lead it into the 21st century.
Who is this woman? According to the NYTimes (02/10/07), Dr. Faust, is author of five books, a former professor of history and women's studies at the University of Pennsylvania and is the Dean of the Radcliffe Institute of Advanced Studies, the remains of Radcliffe College, which once upon a time was the women's college at Harvard. The article in the TIMES indicated that "much of the research sponsored by the Institute emaphasizes the study of women, gender and society."
Less than 2 weeks ago, Dr. Faust's name came up on a conference call of the Women's Leadership Exchange (WLE) Multicultural Advisory Board, chaired by Marilyn Johnson of IBM. Members of the board include many prominent women in business and education that help WLE choose women leaders of all backgrounds as speakers, and honorees at our conferences around the country. It was Ella Edmondson Bell, author and professor at Darmouth's Tuck School of Business and a WLE Compass Award winner, who suggested that we contact Dr. Faust, because she has a great awareness of what women of all ethnic diversities are accomplishing, and that perhaps, Dr. Faust should be considered for a WLE Compass Award.
I've always respected Dr. Bell, but now I believe she has an uncanny ability to see into the future. Yes, Ella, Drew Gilpin Faust certainly does deserve to be honored with a WLE Compass Award. The reasoning behind the selection of Dr. Faust has similarities to what women bring to the world of business as well. The Times article goes on to report that those familiar with the Harvard search said that Dr. Faust's leadership style includes a collaborative approach with excellent people skills which will serve the university well during a particularly tumultuous time following Dr. Summers' agressive leadership style.
Whle acknowledging Dr. Faust as an outstanding scholar, the article said that she is an excellent administrator, with a management style that builds consensus. Now that Ivy League schools (women are now leading four) are realizing the benefits of women's leadership style, perhaps we can wake up American business to the same!!!
-----Leslie Grossman
Reader Comments
Posted: December 14, 2007, 11:07 PM by April Mims www.nexuscoachingpartners.com
While it may be true that there are fewer women than men at the top in math and science right now, that will be changing in the coming years. Compared to other parts of the world, Americans don't even rank that high in math and science. Schools and other organizations are making changes to address this issue. Many school districts are now increasing the required units of math and science for graduation. A student earning a regular high school diploma will now be required to take 4 years of math and 4 years of science rather than 3. This will mean that even non-honors students will be studying calculus and physics. Organizations such as Girl Scouts are now encouraging girls to explore careers in math and science. They offer many events like rocket building and robotics to expose girls to the opportunities available to women (many that haven't been available in the past). Considering there are almost 4 million Girl Scouts in the United States now, we are going to see more and more women entering traditionally male roles.
Congratulations, Dr. Faust, you are leading the way for the rest of us!
