The University of Central Arkansas plans to host the Girls of Promise conference Saturday, April 6, at the Lewis Science Center, according to a news release.
Cosponsored by the UCA Foundation, Inc., the conference will feature keynote speaker Kimberly Hambuchen, NASA aeronautics engineer. Other speakers include UCA Associate Professor Debra Burris and Allyn Fuell, environmental scientist, GBMc and Associates.
“We are so pleased that UCA can participate in a program which provides young women a chance to learn about educational and employment opportunities in STEM occupations,” said Jan Davis, UCA director of planned giving and local committee chair.
The Women’s Foundation started the conference in 2000 and introduces eighth-grade girls across Arkansas to information about careers in areas related to math, science and technology while giving them the opportunity to meet with women professionals for greater understanding of their own potential and power.
More than 4,000 girls statewide have attended the one-day conferences, according to the state Foundation’s website.
The conference at UCA will be emceed by Conway Schools Gifted and Talented Administrator Charlotte Green.
Several companies and organizations are helping support the event through in-kind donations: Acxiom, Hewlett-Packard, Privacy Star, Southwestern Energy, Tokusen, Conway Regional Medical Center, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Girls of Promise conferences help the Foundation promote philanthropy and help gives girls role models, according to the conference website. The conference provides inspiration to young girls and expands their understanding of their own power and possibilities, according to the UCA news release. Through participation in Girls of Promise programs, girls begin to believe they can be and do anything.
Attendees are asked to arrive at 8:15 a.m.
More information is available at www.womensfoundationarkansas.org.