Campaign College 2014 is one of a number of programs on campus geared toward getting more women involved in student leadership, particularly the Government of the Student Body.

Campaign College 2014 is a half-day workshop which will be on Saturday, Jan. 18, in the Campanile Room of the Memorial Union.

Valerie Hennings, adjunct assistant professor of political science, who also serves as a scholar residence at the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women in Politics, is the director of Campaign College 2014.

Hennings explained the relevance of the workshop to Iowa State specifically.

“We tend to see an underrepresentation of women serving in these formal positions on student government as compared to proportion of the student body,” Hennings said. “Iowa State reflects what we see nationally when it comes to the gender imbalance in student government.”

Krista Johnson, senior in political science and international studies, who is also a research assistant at the Catt Center as well as a GSB senator for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, put numbers to the gender disparity in student government.

“We currently have 32.35 percent of available positions as a part of GSB held by women, although that number fluctuates a little throughout the year because of graduation and students studying abroad,” Johnson said. “Women and minority groups tend not to be on GSB as often, and not last as long once they get there.”

As a member of GSB, Johnson was able to provide insight into why these numbers are so low.

“GSB comes off as just another political body, which turns off a lot of people, but women especially because they may view it as overly competitive which can make them uncomfortable,” Johnson said. “Women tend to run for positions in which they feel they can make a concrete impact on issues.”

Hennings expounded upon Johnson’s comments.

“There’s always a perception you have to be a [political science] major, or want to be a senator when you grow up to run for GSB, and that’s not always the case,” Hennings said. “A key element we’re focusing on is how to get your name on the ballot. We know both men and women perceive the process differently, so that’s one thing we’re trying to do with this workshop.”

Yet equal representation is not the only goal of Campaign College 2014.

“We know when we have both men and women involved in student government at the collegiate level that translates into community service, activism and political work later down the road,” Hennings said. “We know [GSB involvement] is contributing to leadership beyond college.”

Another important idea is the notion of role model effects, Hennings said.

“When it comes to starting with the numbers, who is sitting in the room makes a difference because it absolutely shapes the priorities, work and the atmosphere of what gets done,” Hennings said. “When we see people like us with whom we can identify in [leadership positions], that then allows us to envision ourselves as such.”

Campaign College 2014 will provide numerous examples of female leaders as the half-day workshop is packed with guest speakers.

“We have multiple sessions,” Hennings said. “We have a couple of keynote speakers who were campus leaders during their time here.”

Dr. Deborah Ann Turner, director of gynecologic oncology with Mercy Cancer Center in Des Moines, will be featured. Also speaking is Sophia Miguel, assistant director of government relations at Iowa State, and one of the university’s federal lobbyists, Hennings said.

“I’m very excited about a panel of women currently serving on GSB that will be talking about why they serve, what they’re hoping to do, challenges they’ve faced and what they’ve encountered through their leadership experiences here at ISU,” Hennings said.

The campus election commissioner will also be providing a “nuts and bolts” information session that will count towards one of the requirements for running for GSB next year, Hennings said.

“I would encourage anyone who is involved or has thought about becoming involved in campus leadership to attend,” Johnson said. “It’s a great opportunity to learn more about how to be an effective leader, and how much of an impact you can make on campus.”

Registration is required to take part in Campaign College 2014 and can be completed on the Catt Center’s website. Registration closes Wednesday, Jan. 15.