Research Institute to Host Eighth Women in IT Conference

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Information Technology Research Institute at the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas will hold the eighth Women in IT Conference on Thursday and Friday, March 8-9.

Ann Bordelon, senior vice president and chief financial officer for Sam’s Club, and Patricia Lawicki, senior vice president, information systems, for Walmart, will be keynote speakers for the conference. The event, “Reaching Up, Out and Within: What Women Need to Achieve Greatness in Information Technology,” will be held at the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Enterprise Development on the University of Arkansas campus.

Registration information, the agenda and sponsorship opportunities can be found at the Women in IT Conference website.

“The conference is structured in a way that helps women expand their information technology skills and to both think about and to apply those skills in new ways,” said Eric T. Bradford, managing director of the Information Technology Research Institute.

Others presenting at the conference include Ruthe Farmer, director of strategic initiatives for the National Center for Women and Information Technology; Rebecca McClenden, senior vice president, information technology, for FedEx Freight; Helena Gadison, founder and chief executive officer of EMW Enterprises Inc.; Mary Dunaway, a doctoral student in information systems at the University of Arkansas; Kit Kacirek, associate professor of workforce development education at the University of Arkansas; and Avery Nash, director of the Marketing Technologies Center of Excellence at Acxiom.

On Thursday, conference participants will tour the RFID Research Center Lab and attend a dinner and ceremony, recognizing recipients of an “Aspirations in Computing Award” from the center and the National Center for Woman and Information Technology. The regional award seeks to recognize high school women in Arkansas and northeastern Oklahoma with outstanding achievements and aspirations in computing and technology. Eight young women were recognized with awards last year and five will be recognized this year. “It is a way to encourage more young women to choose a career in technology,” Bradford said.

The second day of the conference features session topics such as the state of women in information technology, leadership and networking, innovation, emotional intelligence in business and social media.

Educators can receive eight professional development credits and a 20 percent discount off the registration fee.

Contact Carlan Pine at 479-575-4261 or email cpine@walton.uark.edu for more information.