Four years ago, fresh out of graduate school, Amanda Ferstead began her time at the University of Idaho as a Vandal Health Education employee. Seeking to broaden her horizons even further, she joined the Athena, a UI association dedicated to furthering “inclusive and equitable climates for women.” Now a member of the Athena board and a recent graduate of the Adult Organizational Learning and Leadership master’s program, Ferstead possesses a unique perspective of what it means to create diverse and inclusive change in a community.
Q: What is your role within Athena?
A: I chaired the Marketing and Communications Subcommittee, and then this fall, I became a board member of Athena as the Marketing and Communications Chair. I do things like update the website and put events on the website. We just started a quarterly newsletter, so I’ve been putting that together with updates from the different subcommittees. I talk about what’s going on at Athena, as well as spotlight either someone or a program or something on campus so members can see that and help to get the word out.
Q: What are some ways you are actively trying to promote diversity and inclusion through this role?
A: An example would be sharing the work that Athena is doing. So, there’s things like paid parental leave policy that is being worked on right now through collaboration with several other entities on campus. Also, getting the word out about things like the Athena Mentorship Program, which is a program that helps with professional growth and development on campus, giving opportunities to talk about day-to-day issues and troubleshooting them, or talking about more complicated issues that folks may be facing on campus.
Q: How has Athena benefited you, and what have you learned from it?
A: I think that it’s helped me to make connections. When I first came here, I was a young professional and I didn’t know anybody here. I moved from the Midwest. It helped me to see that there is a community on campus, and it really helps to find your people. And it’s helped me a lot with my leadership, growing from a young professional to taking on more responsibility in my job and in the community. I think it really helped me to find my voice when maybe I wouldn’t have spoken up before.
Q: What has Athena taught you about promoting ideals of diversity and equality?
A: Getting to hear from other folks and their experiences makes you realize like you’re not alone. For some of the things that you may be facing or challenges you may be facing, I think that things like the leadership conferences are helpful, because there were sessions on, negotiating when you get a job offer or things about the expectations of balancing family obligations and your work and many more topics. They also do awards in Athena, like student excellence awards and Women of the Year awards, and I think that gives a chance to recognize, folks who are doing this important work.
Q: Why did you decide to join Athena?
A: My supervisor suggested that I come to one of the more informal connection events and that’s what initially spurred me to go. But really it was it was finding a community that wants to see professional growth of likeminded peers and things like that. That’s what has kept me here. The membership and the board really care about not only our members but the entire campus community, and really are working to make campus an even better and more inclusive place to be.
Q: What goals do you hope to accomplish for Athena?
A: I think with my role being tied to communication, I am hoping to get the word out to even more folks on campus who may be interested in joining and participating in a few events, and then hopefully connecting with some folks who needed that connection or that guidance or help in that moment that maybe wouldn’t have found that without something like Athena.