First Thursday | Women's Resource Center - Student Life

The Texas A&M Women's Resource Center, the Aggie Women Network and Messina Hof Winery & Resort would like to invite all Texas A&M community members to attend our monthly First Thursday Speaker Series. The First Thursday Speaker Series connects current and former students with community members and professionals to provide uplifting guidance over a range of topics. Each event is a new opportunity for participants to network and learn from our panel of professionals.

The First Thursday Speaker Series runs from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month during the fall and spring semesters. Registration is required.

Monthly Event Schedule

6 p.m. Welcome by Aggie Women Network Board Member
6: 05 p.m. Panel and Q&A
7:20 p.m. Event Closing

Extra Credit

The Women’s Resource Center will track attendance for students seeking extra credit for attending a First Thursday Speaker Series event. The week following the event, student’s attendance information will be sent to their course instructor(s). It is the student’s responsibility to remember to check-in and out of the event.

April First Thursday Speaker Series Event

Being a Woman in a Career Field: Finding Your Balance

Women with careers often must juggle many responsibilities and roles; it is often difficult to find a balance. Hear women of different career fields discuss their experiences in finding their own balance. In this session, we will discuss common barriers to women with careers and provide practical tips for juggling it all.

Panelists:

Anushree Jumde '14 was born in India and was raised in both India and Little Rock, Arkansas. She graduated from the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science - Planning and Administration. She graduated with a master’s degree in Public Service and Administration in 2014. After graduation, she started her career as a congressional staffer for Rep. Tim Griffin (AR-02) and then was hired to work for Rep. French Hill (AR-02) in 2015. She worked her way up from a representative to the position of District Director in 2017. In her free time, she enjoys spending time volunteering, exploring central Arkansas, and reading.

Trasa Cobern '97 is an award-winning educator, mother, a board member for two local non-profits in the DFW area. She graduated from Texas A&M University cum laude, with University and Foundation Honors, with a B.A. in political science. Trasa has written and published multiple history-based articles, some of which focus on the Medal of Honor Program, a passion of hers from her life growing up as a military BRAT. Trasa firmly advocates for civic involvement and volunteerism in causes that stir one's passions. If you cannot tell, she is busy...but she prioritizes the things that she believes in, and always chooses sanity over activity. "Balance" is a key component of her life.

Saundra Stroope '88 is a human resources leader, coach, and consultant. In addition, she is the author of over a dozen works including a book on career development strategies for women titled Breakthrough: Career Strategies for Women’s Success published by Business Expert Press. Saundra holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Human Resources Management from Texas A&M University. Saundra lives in Salt Lake City, UT and serves as the President of the Texas A&M Club of Utah.

SUBMIT A QUESTION

Developing Mental Resilience

Oct. 7, 2021 | Messina Hof

The American Psychological Association (2014) defines Mental Resilience as:
“The process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or even significant sources of stress.” Join us for a facilitated discussion of the skills anyone can employ to develop mental resilience.

LinkedIn: Putting Your Best Foot Forward

Nov. 4, 2021 | Zoom

According to the 2020 "Jobvite Recruiter Nation Report," 72% of recruiters use or planned to use LinkedIn to find new talent. Learn the basics of how to use LinkedIn to search for jobs and internships as well as how to create a profile that will put your best foot forward as you search for your next adventure.

Navigating Conflict and Challenging Conversations

Dec. 2, 2021 | Zoom

Did you know that according to the report "Workplace Conflict and How Business Can Harness It to Thrive," 85% of employees deal with conflict on some level? Learn how to turn conflict from a zero-sum game into a win-win opportunity where you build effective communication, trust and reciprocal respect.

Keys to Success: Networking and Mentorship

Feb. 3, 2022 | Messina Hof

Did you know that the Aggie Women Network and Texas A&M University Women's Resource Center have partnered to offer the AMPLIFY | Women's Mentoring Circle to pair former students and current students in mentoring relationships? Join us as we discuss the importance of mentorship and building your network with professionals and AMPLIFY participants.

In the Driver's Seat: Empowerment Through Financial Literacy

March 3, 2022 | Zoom

A 2019 UBS Investor Watch report found that while more than 80% of women globally are highly involved in their short-term finances such as daily expenses, budgeting and cash flow, almost 60% of women do not engage in long-term planning such as investing, insurance and retirement. During this facilitated discussion with financial advisors and professionals, we will learn how to create a plan for the long-term, no matter where you are in life.

Essential Elements of a High Performing Team: Communication & Trust

April 7, 2022 | Messina Hof

In the "Communication in the Modern workplace How Millennials and their Managers Compare" report, researchers at Queens University found that nearly 75% of employers rated teamwork and collaboration as "very important" to the success of their business. At this First Thursday Speaker Series event, we will discuss how to build effective communication and trust in teams in order to increase productivity and a sense of belonging.

The Skills to Lead: Leadership is Learned

May 5, 2022 | Zoom

"Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen." -Brené Brown, Daring Greatly
Did you know that a study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology showed that only 32% of leadership skills are inherited? That means that 68% of leadership skills are learned! Join us as we discuss developing skills to bring out the leader in each of us.

WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER

FIRST THURSDAY SPEAKER SERIES