Students in leadHERship workshop

leadHERship Women Empowerment workshops continue this fall at the AWC San Luis Learning Center

August 20, 2024

San Luis, AZ (August 15, 2024) – The Arizona Western College (AWC) San Luis Learning Center is proud to announce the continuation of leadHERship, an initiative dedicated to empowering women and promoting gender equality within our community. Last semester, the program saw remarkable engagement, with up to 50 participants attending some sessions. The program also facilitated 26 mentorship opportunities and awarded scholarships to 13 students who achieved 100% participation in workshops and mentorship sessions.

One participant shared anonymously in a post-survey, "It has reinforced the fact that we all are going through something, we all can get emotional, and make mistakes. But from those failures comes true inspiration, and I learned to appreciate my female friendships so much more. Being a girl is fun, and I felt my energy elevate with the incredible people in this program."

The leadHERship program was selected as one of 10 proposals and awarded $20,000 by the 2024 AWC Innovation Fund. The initiative is led by Dr. Sara Amani, Professor of Multilingual Composition/Specialist; Maria Guzman, Advising and Student Services Coordinator; and Susie Zambrano, Associate Dean for South Yuma County Services.

Dr. Sara Amani, one of the leadHERship executive board members, shared, "Watching our leadHERship participants grow and support each other has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. This program is about creating a community where women uplift each other and turn their dreams into reality, but it’s also important to recognize that support from everyone, including men, is key to building an inclusive and empowering environment. I'm excited to continue this journey with such an inspiring and diverse group of individuals and to see how our collective efforts will make a difference."

"It has been phenomenal to collaborate with powerful women to bring this program to fruition," said Guzman, also a member of the leadHERShip executive board. “I love interacting with students and observing how their minds sparkle when they engage with new information that challenges their beliefs and norms. When their internal voice gets louder, they inspire me to continue doing my job with love and passion.”

This Fall, leadHERship is set to kick off the semester with an inspiring workshop titled "Boss Up: A Career Guide for Landing Your Dream Job." The workshop will explore the essential elements required to secure your dream job and rise to leadership positions in today’s competitive job market. Participants will gain practical insights and actionable steps to help transform their career aspirations into reality. Susanna M. Zambrano, Associate Dean for South Yuma County Services, will facilitate the workshop.

"I wouldn't be where I am today without the support and guidance of strong women who paved the way for me," Zambrano said. “It hasn’t been easy to boss up—it has come with great sacrifice—but I am deeply grateful to work at an institution that fosters my professional growth and has gifted me with the opportunity to lead. My goal is to help young women dream big and achieve their goals, just as others have helped me."

Event Details: 
Dates: August 26, September 30, October 28, November 25, and December 9, 2024
Time: 3:00-4:30 PM 
Location: Room 104, San Luis Learning Center, 1340 N. 8th Avenue

How to Get Involved:
To sign up and attend the leadHERship workshops, please visit https://forms.office.com/r/NZJqUG30YuSpaces are limited. Early registration is recommended.

While the focus is on addressing issues affecting women, leadHERship encourages everyone to join the monthly workshops. The initiative aims to create a campus culture that fosters the growth and success of every individual.