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Social Media as a Tool for Developing and Empowering Women

For Presentation at the 2013 NASPA Annual Conference Ciji Heiser (@cijiann) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Melissa Robertson (@melpels) Purdue University

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Overview

• Why We’re Here

• Self-Assessment

• Needs of Women in Higher Education & Theory

• Finding and Giving Empowerment

• Social Media as Tool for Empowerment & Gains

• Discussion and “IRL” Examples

• How to Get Involved

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Tweet with Us! #NASPA13 #wlsalt

The Power of WISA “It’s no surprise that we continue to hear issues such as mentoring, sponsorship, work-life negotiation, negotiation skills in general, career advancement, and intersections of identity all come to the surface.”

“…a WISA woman commented about how people shy away from claiming the term “feminist”. Others shared that owning their feminism actually empowered them to embrace their own identity more fully, and spurred them to activism.”

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Tweet with Us! #NASPA13 #wlsalt

“A Voice at the Table…” “Social media has given me a voice at the table, connected me with inspirational professionals, expanded my network, helped me connect with my current job, and been a composite of resources. I have tutored students, presented at national conferences, written papers, and coordinated professional association social media accounts; I know the value of this tool.” – Becca Obergefell

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“Twitter Taught Me to Stop Apologizing…”

“Well, I was thinking that we

should…”

“I believe that we could…”

“I think that it might be better if…”

Do any of those sound like

statements that would stop you in

your tracks?

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Social networking provides a safe haven, or rather, a “laboratory” for exploration

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#WISA Blogs

#WLSalt

#WLI

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For women not as compelled to network in person, social media networking provides a motivating stepping stone, or a tool, to learn appropriate methods of connecting….

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“Rather than going home and

curling up on the couch with a bowl of ice cream, I can curl up in a

#hashtag where people are saying encouraging and supportive things and walk away with something more constructive, that I can do something with, the next day.”

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How to Get Involved…

• Just jump in! This is your

community!

• Engage and interact with

Twitter and Facebook users

• Blog

• Participation in Knowledge

Communities, Committees,

etc…

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Presenting Your Best Self

• Twitter Bio: 160 characters – who you are, what you

do, what you enjoy, and a link

• If using professionally: Institution, link to

blog/Facebook/LinkedIn, Strengths and/or MBTI

• Separate the “trash” from the “treasure”

• Do spot checks on who is following you

• Google your name and Twitter handle occasionally

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What Are You Showing the World?

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What Are You Showing the World?

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Networking Professionally

• Building and participating in community

• Making Connections

• Giving and asking for introductions

• Participating in conversation

• Asking and answering questions

• Recognition and motivation

• Book, article, and resource recommendations

• Pre-Conference Networking & Tweet-Ups!

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Join us for coffee and conversation at the Women in Student Affairs Tweet-Up!

Tuesday, March 19th 5:30pm Just after the

Annual Business Meeting

Starbucks on the Lobby Level of the

Orlando World Center Marriott

See you there!

http://www.facebook.com/WISA.KC http://twitter.com/wisa_kc NASPA l Women in Student Affairs (WISA) www.delicious.com/WISA www.wisakc.com #wisa #wisakc

Questions? Contact Melissa Robertson - Twitter @melpels - melissa.robertson10@gmail.com

Let’s Stay Connected…!

Ciji Ann Heiser University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill @cijiann

Melissa Robertson Purdue University @melpels