Chicago, IL — February 3–4, 2026
The BTAA Women+ in Technology (WIT) Executive Board gathered in Chicago for a two-day working session focused on reflection, collaboration, and strategic planning for the year ahead.
The Executive Board includes:
- Co‑Chairs: Courtney Terry (Rutgers) & Manda Johnson (Wisconsin)
- Vice Chairs: Betsy Hillery (Purdue) & Gen Schmitt (Illinois)
- Past Chairs: Laura Gordon (Rutgers) & Cordelia Geiken (Illinois)
The board was also joined by Lori Frost from the Big Ten Academic Alliance, who contributed to discussions around organizational strategy and collaboration.
Reflecting on Challenges and Leadership Journeys
The retreat began with board members sharing meaningful personal challenges from their careers and the lessons they learned from them. These conversations opened the door to a broader discussion about each leader’s unique professional path. The diversity of experiences and routes into leadership provided inspiration and reinforced the importance of visibility and storytelling within the WIT community.
Strengthening BTAA WIT Communication and Engagement
A major focus of the meeting was exploring ways to enhance communication within the BTAA Women+ in Technology membership. Topics included:
- Improving clarity and connection through updated communication channels
- Considering website updates to better support information flow
- Refining newsletter processes for consistent engagement
A significant priority moving forward is developing strategies to support and energize current Steering Committee members and to encourage universities without representation to appoint new members. The board emphasized that strong engagement begins with remembering the core purpose—the “why” behind BTAA Women+ in Technology and the meaningful impact of its volunteers.
Developing Executive Strategy
Building on these conversations, the board worked toward shaping a comprehensive executive strategy centered on alignment, transparency, and strengthening community participation across the alliance.
Celebrating Strong Subcommittees
The Executive Board also highlighted the outstanding work of BTAA WIT’s subcommittees:
- Mentorship
- Coffee Catch-Up
- Conference Planning
These groups continue to create high‑value programming and support opportunities for members across all BTAA institutions.