Celebrating Successes and Inspiring New Beginnings: UIW Hosts Women-Led Panel Discussion for Women’s History Month

March is recognized as Women's History Month in the United States and other countries across the globe. During the month, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) has coordinated a number of events to highlight the influence women have had throughout history and still have today - including at our beloved University.

On Monday, March 16, UIW Career Services and African Student Organization (ASO) hosted the "A Seat at the Table: Professional Women's Panel" on the Broadway campus in celebration of Women's History Month. The panel discussion invited five accomplished UIW-affiliated Black women (educators, alumni, coaches, partners and more) to share their professional journeys, successes, acquired wisdom and advise with their beloved Incarnate Word family.

The panel featured:

1. Camille R. Piper - Pastoral care professional, community health educator and two-time UIW alumna
2. Nichelle Hosley - Award-winning interior designer and entrepreneur
3. Alicia Howard, PhD - Senior Consultant and UIW professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
4. Amanda Roberts, BS '10, MA, PhD - STEAM leader, science innovator and UIW Alumni Association Board president
5. Coach Amber Cunningham - UIW Assistant Women's Basketball coach and passionate educator

"The purpose of this event is to create a space where black women - faculty, alumni and professionals - can share their career paths and their lived experiences, while also offering insight, encouragement, mentorship and guidance to fellow students and members of our campus community," noted Daisy Ansah-Agyemang, African Student Organization president.

One-by-one, each panelist introduced themselves and shared some information about their respective career paths. From careers rooted in ministry, science, judicial,athleticism and creativity, every panelist was proud to share their stories.

"When I came to UIW, I was fully enrolled in school doing my undergrad in community health education," shared Piper. "I tried to get to know the needs of the San Antonio on a whole, and that brought me into public health and ministry. I realized that there is a need for a space where medicine meets ministry, that is the avenue now I find myself in. So many of the experiences are the same, but sometimes there's no conversation between both sides. So, I stand in that gap looking for ways to consider how to bring that conversation to both sides."

"Expanding my network in San Antonio has given me opportunities to meet phenomenal friends and leaders in STEM," noted Roberts. "Now, I'm at Alamo Colleges as Academic Department directors. All the things that I've done have expanded my opportunities, leading me to where I'm at right now."

The panelists also took a moment to share some advice and encouragement with guests, hoping that their lived experiences could encourage others to feel more confident in their own pursuits.

"Be grounded in who you are, knowing that you may not succeed, but the fact that you are trying is more than anyone could ask for," shared Piper. "Don't discount yourself. You are what you decide to be."

"Whatever you're doing now, there's something in that experience that's preparing you for what you are going to be," saif Cunningham.

"Having a strong support system is so vital," noted Howard. "My faith in God has helped too. Hearing his voice, telling me who I am, is enough for me to walk into any room with my head held high. He gives me a sense of peace that allows me to calm down and allows me to focus clearly so that I can keep doing what I need to do."

Click here to stay updated on upcoming Women's History Month events and for more information.