About 100 professionals attended the 4th Annual Women in Academia Conference on Jan. 10 at Stockton University. A number of men also attended in support of their female colleagues.

Sara Martino, associate professor of Psychology, organized the conference with help from Jessie Finch, assistant professor of Sociology, and Katie Yang, assistant professor of Psychology.

The event was created to start conversations and provide guidance to the growing number of women who are now out-pacing men in earning college degrees, but are underrepresented in terms of fulltime teaching positions in academia.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, women now comprise over half of college students and earn more degrees than men, but women make up only 30 percent of full-time faculty, with racial and ethnic minority women particularly underrepresented.

Nichola D. Gutgold and Angela R. Linse, co-editors of, “Women in the Academy: Learning From Our Diverse Career Pathways,” were the keynote speakers. Claudine Keenan, dean of the School of Education, who authored a chapter, “Reclaiming Authenticity: Owning my Pathway,” in their book, participated in a panel discussion with the keynote speakers.

Betsy Erbaugh, assistant professor of Sociology, presented research and led a discussion on the status of women in Atlantic County. She and her students authored a report on the subject for the Atlantic County Advisory Commission on Women. Andrea Presotto, visiting assistant professor of Environmental Studies, covered international perspectives, Donnetrice Allison, associate professor of Communications, examined best practices for recruiting diverse faculty, staff and administrators to college campuses and Margaret Lewis, professor of Biology, addressed issues faced by women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and practical strategies for achieving a successful and satisfying STEM career at all levels.

“We have worked hard over the past three years to create an atmosphere for conversation and change,” Martino said.

“We were so pleased this year to have speakers come from Princeton University, TCNJ, and Rutgers University to join in the conversation with us. This conference is growing to be a regional meeting to discuss issues of inclusivity and diversity in higher education. I am so proud to have been involved in creating WIAC right here at Stockton University.”