AUK’s CAPA Launches Women Leadership Certificate Program
Duhok, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – The Center for Academic and Professional Development (CAPA) at the American University of Kurdistan (AUK) has launched the “She Leads” Women Leadership Certificate Program that provides scholarships to 20 AUK students and alumni thanks to funding from a grant from the U.S Department of State titled “Supporting American-Style Higher Education in Iraq.”
The “She Leads” Women Leadership Certificate Program is a 60-hour program that covers essential topics for aspiring women leaders and aims to capture the stories of these leaders in a book, that will be the outcome of this program and published.
Stories have weight. They carry the burden of words worth telling and ‘Untold’ (the title of this volume) will bring together a diverse range of voices from the rich cultures and ethnicities of the Kurdistan Region. As the title suggests, this anthology will feature the unspoken stories of struggles and triumphs, achievements and setbacks, and the women’s long-silenced echoes of hopes and dreams. This ‘her story’ agenda will enable women leaders to communicate effectively and inspire the next generation.
The “She Leads” certificate program is a hands-on, experiential learning program that is built on the book “Through the Labyrinth” written by Alice Eagly and Linda L. Carli. Labyrinth is a fitting metaphor to understand women’s leadership challenges and opportunities. Farzad Kamil Ali, a part-time Instructor at the Center for Academic and Professional Advancement, highlights the significance of the “labyrinth”: “Rather than depicting just one absolute barrier at the penultimate stage of a distinguished career, a labyrinth conveys the complexity and variety of challenges that can appear along the way. Passage through a labyrinth requires persistence, awareness of one’s progress, and a careful analysis of the puzzles that lie ahead. Routes to the center exist but are full of twists and turns, both expected and unexpected.”
The certificate program also goes beyond these issues by empowering women to learn and practice such important soft skills set as negotiation, emotional intelligence, giving and receiving feedback, achieving work-life balance, and navigating the double bend.
The “She Leads” Women Leadership Certificate Program also hosted a series of talks by seasoned educators, experts, and women leaders. The first speaker was Dr. Randall Rhodes, President of AUK, who shared his insights on navigating the challenges of leadership and achieving success for women in academia; Amy Davis, an independent consultant with vast experience in diverse cultures, who discussed navigating the world as a leader while balancing personal responsibilities; and Dr. Vanessa Kerry, CEO of Seed Global Health Organization, who spoke about her journey as a woman leader even amidst the challenges of increasingly complex world.
The students of the program are already experiencing the positive impact of learning and obtaining real, applicable skills. Fatima Saleem, a freshman in Computer Software & Security, highlighted the program’s leadership preparation: “This program gave me a foundation to strengthen my skills and become more confident negotiating, communicating, and emotionally intelligent – all crucial for leadership.”
Soz Abdulhameed, a freshman in Architectural Engineering, emphasized the program’s empowerment and community of practice: “The program instilled confidence in me and connected me with other ambitious women.” She also stated, “It effectively addressed challenges women in leadership face and fostered a supportive environment.”
Adan Rashid, a freshman in the College of Nursing, appreciated the program’s diverse learning: “Meeting professionals abroad and learning their stories was inspiring.” Finally, she added, “Writing our own leadership stories is a powerful way to conclude the program.”
AUK and CAPA are committed to empowering women in the Kurdistan Region and beyond. This program is a valuable opportunity for female students and alumni to develop the skills and knowledge they need to become successful leaders, ultimately shaping a more diverse and inclusive society. The next offering of the certificate will also be extended to Zakho.
