A new council of UConn alumnae who are leaders in their fields has been formed to enhance the lives of women at the University.

Members of the Women's Leadership Council, a national network of women who have graduated from UConn, will use their talents in a variety of ways to promote women and help female students have successful academic experiences at the University.

"We have a tremendous resource in our alumnae and we want to find a way to reconnect them to the University and become part of University life," says Bill Colburn, director of alumni relations.

The council's steering committee, chaired by Sally Reis '81 Ph.D., a professor of educational psychology, is now seeking members from around the country.

The goals set by the council include creating a networking and mentoring program for current students and assisting new graduates who are looking for employment. "We want to find role models for students and help them network," says Reis. She says the council hopes to facilitate networking in the areas of math, science, engineering and certain areas of business, "areas where women are underserved and under-represented," Reis says.

Another of the council's goals is to increase the number and quality of women in leadership roles at the University, by advocating the hiring, training, and advancement of outstanding female faculty, staff and administrators.

The council will work on two projects this year. The first is the creation of a poster with photographs of 50 successful female graduates to celebrate their accomplishments. The poster will be distributed to schools around the state and handed out at women's basketball games and other places during Women's History Month in March. The second project is a Women's Leadership Seminar, with discussions and presentations about career issues and balance in work and personal life.

Sherry Fisher