T

he students of COM 380/WGS 301 are bringing Oakland University’s first ‘Women in Leadership Panel’ to campus on Nov. 16, 18 and 20. 

The special topics course, instructed by Beth Talbert, required students to plan a presentation that would invite women in leadership positions to discuss their journey to success and any obstacles they faced.

“In planning this, it has required [students] to be leaders and to experience their own leadership,” Talbert said.

Each panel has a specific theme. The three themes are ‘Women Leaders in Public Safety’, ‘Women Leaders in the Corporate Sector’ and ‘Women Leaders in Non-Profit Organizations’. 

Students were expected to choose a theme for their specific panel, select and invite the leaders and prepare questions for the presentation. 

The panel will feature women such as Jessica Cooper, Oakland County prosecutor, Patricia Botkin, retired managing director of Talmer Bank and the PrivateBank, and Beth Morrison, president and CEO of HAVEN. 

“When you see the list of women who are coming, they’re just outstanding, professional women,” Talbert said. 

“I think we all have something to learn from their stories.”

Following the student groups’ planned questions, the floor will be open for audience members to address the panel.

Talbert encourages students and the public to attend the panels. Each panel will be held from 1:20 to 2:20 p.m. 

The Monday and Friday panels will be held in Lake Superior Room B and the Wednesday panel will be held in the Human Health Building room 5037.  

Posters for the panel can be found around campus. 

If you are interested in learning more about the special topics course, visit catalog.oakland.edu/ and search COM 380.