SIOUX CITY -- Alejandra Castillo never saw herself as a leader.
Then two professors and her work-study supervisor nominated Castillo to participate in the new Connie Wimer Women’s Leadership Program at Morningside College.
“It made me feel more confident. I started doing a lot more, and I’ve gotten a lot more opportunities," said Castillo, a junior.
Morningside created the Women’s Leadership Program to help women accelerate their professional growth. Faculty and staff nominate students, then a steering committee selects about 20 new students each year to participate in the two-year program.
“We’re looking for a diverse group of women – some that have major leadership roles on campus, some who are developing as leaders and some who show promise of leadership,” said Dr. Anne Power, associate professor of business and director of the women’s leadership program.
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“For those who want to hone their leadership skills, this is a great program in which to learn more about leadership. For the developing leaders, it’s a good starting place.”
Castillo was part of the pilot program last spring. This year she serves on the student leadership team as a mentor to new students in the program.
“(Castillo) has definitely taken the lead on several of the projects,” Power said.
Participants have attended the Iowa Women Lead Change conference in Sioux City and a special meeting at Morningside with Maria Cristina Gonzalez Noguera, a former communications director for First Lady Michelle Obama.
They have learned about their individual strengths as leaders, read the book “Women Don’t Ask” to learn about the importance of negotiation, and been encouraged to look for mentors and to be role models to others.
The young women are already using their new leadership skills.
Darian Lisle started the program this fall. Lisle has learned that it is fine to make mistakes as long as you learn from them, that it is important to put yourself out there and take advantage of every opportunity.
“I’m actually becoming more vocal in class, becoming more a part of class discussions,” said Lisle, a sophomore at Morningside.
Castillo recently applied for a job and used her new skills to negotiate a higher paycheck.
“I was able to have the courage to say, ‘I’ve had a lot of experience in this field. I feel like I could be getting paid a little bit more than what you’re offering me,’” Castillo said.
“And just by simply saying that, they’re like, ‘You’re right. We should be paying you more.’”
The program is named in honor of Connie Wimer, chair of Business Publications Corporation in Des Moines, Iowa, and the first woman to chair the Des Moines Chamber of Commerce. She grew up in Merrill, attended Morningside and now serves on the Morningside Board of Directors.
Wimer has been heavily involved in the program, from providing input on content to attending events and hosting an upcoming luncheon in Des Moines with women of influence.
“After establishing my career fairly late in life by today's standards, I wanted to help other young women have wider horizons, hopes and dreams,” Wimer said.
