Thank you for stopping by to learn more about the Coalition for Women’s Identities. Take some time to look through our content and don’t hesitate to share how you’d like to get involved. Use the menu below to jump to a section of interest.
Please contact us at cwi@acpa.nche.edu or connect with the members of our Directorate Body with questions or ideas.
mission
The Coalition for Women’s Identities supports, develops, and empowers the spectrum of women- and female-identified people and those in solidarity with us through advocacy and activism, engaging community, and scholarship.
Who We are
For more than forty years, the CWI has focused on the plethora of –isms and –phobias that affect the spectrum of women- and/or female-identified people, and is intentionally inclusive of all intersecting social identities, therein. The CWI serves to examine the subtle manifestations of power, privilege, and oppression including but not limited sexism, racism, genderism, transphobia, classism, ableism, homophobia, and xenophobia within higher education, and to educate ACPA members about these issues and their effects within our profession. Through round-table discussions, sponsored programs, publications, representation on ACPA boards and commissions, sponsored scholarly projects, and networking, CWI brings these issues to the forefront and empowers and supports women- and female-identified people and their allies in their professional aspirations in higher education and student affairs. Through education, empowerment, advocacy, and support, CWI works in collaboration with the ACPA membership at large to effect positive change for the spectrum of women- and female-identified people within higher education and student affairs.
Core Values
Advocacy & Activism- Honoring the intersecting social identities of the spectrum of women- and female-identified people, Addressing inequity related to sex, gender, and gender expression, promoting and celebrating inclusivity and upholding the values of ACPA by focusing on accountability and responsibility.
Engaging Community- Attending, responding, and adapting to the needs of our constituenty, creating and facilitating opportunities for mentoring, networking and connecting with colleagues and fostering relationships and collaborations in solidarity with the spectrum of women- and female-identified people.
Scholarship- Educating ourselves, the association, and the larger community about issues relevant to our mission, advancing the understanding of identity and intersectionality and supporting and promoting scholarship in the field.
MEET THE LEADERSHIP
upcoming events
Join Our Workshop Designed For All Curious Minds Eager to Master The Art Of Crafting Compelling ACPA Program Proposals And Decoding Evaluation Rubrics
News & Updates
CWI Emerging Leader in Residence
Emerging Leader in Residence Details The GOALS of this program are to: Help integrate young professional women into the structure and functions of ACPA Promote involvement in ACPA and CWI Facilitate the development of professional writing and presentation skills...
Get Involved
Become a member of the Coalition for Women’s Identities! Support student learning in higher education by helping to share knowledge of best practices, policies, and programs for those who want to increase awareness, eliminate oppression, and provide support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community in higher education.
Ready to join?
Joining an Entity through the ACPA Member Portal automatically identifies you as a member of that Entity! You will begin to receive Entity communications through their respective email listserv and have access to any resources they share!
- Login to your ACPA Member Account
- Click on Community Groups (Chatter)
- Click Groups
- Click Active Groups
- Find the entity you want to join and within that group, click +Join
Contact cwi@acpa.nche.edu to learn more or ask questions!
There are several ways to get involved in the work of the Coalition on Women’s Identities. CWI is currently comprised of the Elected Directorate Members and the Volunteer Leadership Team. We welcome all involvement!
- Volunteer with CWI! If you are interested in volunteering with the Coalition on Women’s Identities–at convention or throughout the year–please let us know here!
- Sign Up to Review Programs submitted for CWI sponsorship at ACPA Convention
- Join the Directorate: Are you passionate about Higher Education? Are you committed to supporting, developing and empowering those who identify as women? Do you have a desire to become more involved with ACPA? Be on the lookout for information on when positions open up in the News & Updates section of this page!
- Attend CWI sponsored events at Convention including programs, socials, and the business meeting. Ask questions and express your concerns.
- Contact the Chair or other Directorate members to identify issues of concern to you and/or women in your area.
cwi Awards
The 2024 Nomination Form is now OPEN! Nominations are due Sunday, September 15, 2024. Please see below for award descriptions. Annually in the fall semester, the Coalition for Women’s Identities honors individuals and programs that contribute significantly to the field of higher education working with college students. Recipients are announced in mid-December and awarded at the next ACPA Convention.
Outstanding Emerging Professional
The recipient will be selected based on their recognized potential to be a successful Student Affairs professional. This individual will have made contributions that have positively impacted their respective departments or institutions. Contributions made include but are not limited to the following areas: programming experience, leadership, community development, publications, presentations, community service and/or support for the educational environment on their campus. Nominees for this award have worked in the student affairs profession or attended graduate school for three or fewer years and must be members of ACPA.
Mid-Level Professional Award
The recipient will be selected based on their demonstrated expertise in creating an environment that promotes the Core Values of the Coalition for Women’s Identities (CWI) including Advocacy & Activism, Engaging Community, and Scholarship. Outstanding individual contribution in innovative and responsive services and programs that address varied and emerging needs of students, professionals, and the community is highly valued. The recipient must have made contributions to the profession, ACPA, and/or the CWI by means of publication, presentation, program design, or mentorship. In order to be considered for this award, individuals must have at least five years as a full-time practitioner at an institution of higher education and must be a current member of ACPA.
Research and Scholarship Award
The recipient will be selected based on a review of research and scholarly activity. Preference will be given to topics relevant to women and gender identity in Student Affairs. Work may include publications, research, and curriculum or program development. For consideration, nominees must submit a one-page abstract of the research or scholarship. Nominees for this award must be members of ACPA.
Wisdom Award
Formerly named the Wise Woman Award, this award was renamed to reflect the mission of CWI. The recipient will be selected based on the history of their contributions towards woman or female identified individuals in student affairs and on their efforts to promote the professional and personal development of woman or female identified individuals Contributions may be made in the areas of programming, engaging in the socialization of woman or female identified individuals, scholarship, publications, mentoring other woman or female identified professionals, and the provision of visionary leadership in the advancement of woman or female identified professionals in student affairs. Nominees for this award must have worked in the higher education profession for at least ten years. Nominees for this award must also be members of ACPA.
Jodie Castanza Outstanding Service Award (given by Chair)
The Chair will recognize contributions above and beyond the general reasonability’s of a directorate member. Alumnae members will have contributed to the development of the committee through continued, service, guidance, and support. The recipient (s) will be selected based on efforts to promote the advancement of programs and services offered by the Coalition for Women’s Identities.
Cwi Blog
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Scholarship and Research
Do you conduct research and scholarship efforts about women in higher education and student affairs? We’d love to showcase your work! Please email your published works to our email: cwi@acpa.nche.edu.
Examples of this work could include experiences of students, staff, faculty, and leadership, the intersecting identities that many folx hold, and so much more!
Women leaders can break barriers in student affairs
Publication Title: Women leaders can break barriers in student affairs
Author(s): Esther Y. Siagian Rosbrook Ed.D., M.A., M.S.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/say.31518
Link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/say.31518?campaign=woletoc
Abstract: Women are redefining leadership, particularly in transformational roles that prioritize empathy, collaboration, and purpose-driven change. They excel in leadership paradigms that value emotional intelligence and adaptability, often leveraging these strengths to inspire their teams and navigate challenges with resilience. Despite systemic hurdles, women’s ability to lead with vision and compassion places them at the forefront of evolving leadership practices. According to my research, many report high job satisfaction, fueled by a deep alignment with their roles and a commitment to creating meaningful impact in their organizations and communities.