About

Established in 1964, the Center for the Education of Women was a pioneering university women’s center. Designed to serve the needs of women students as well as women returning to school or work, CEW (then known as the Center for the Continuing Education of Women) was founded with a three-part mission of service, advocacy, and research. The Center for the Education of Women+ (now known as CEW+) continues its work today, serving University students, staff and faculty, community members, and all genders, facing education, employment, or other life issues.

Explore our timeline

CEW+ provides immediate and ongoing services and the financial support needed to ensure educational success and degree completion. Women+ and underserved students are CEW+’s primary constituency, but all students are welcome. CEW+ also serves those who encounter education and career obstacles based on their non-linear paths to, and experiences within, the University community.

We proudly support students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community with:

• Events + Workshops
• Funding
• Counseling
• Advocacy Initiatives

Our dedicated team is passionate about helping underserved communities and individuals at the University and beyond thrive.

Meet Our Team

Since 1964, CEW+ has worked to remove obstacles that impact women and other marginalized groups at U-M. CEW+ has also served as a bridge for returning students and community college transfers and fought for family-friendly policies that have benefited both men and women. Our understanding of the challenges faced by underserved students and underrepresented faculty and staff allows us to contribute greatly to diversity at U-M by providing supports and resources that are responsive to the emerging needs of these groups.

• Read CEW+’s DEI 2.0 Strategic Plan
  The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has spotlighted and supported the Financial Empowerment Initiative as a highlight of CEW+’s DEI 2.0 plan. An overview of the initiative was presented as part of the University-wide DEI 2.0 Information Session on Oct. 18, 2023. To learn more about the initiative, watch the video linked here.
  
• Read CEW+’s DEI 1.0 Summary
• Read more about Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at U-M
• Read the U-M DEI Strategic Plan

The CEW+ Leadership Council

We are pleased to have the volunteer efforts of many talented and generous individuals and have a long tradition of a volunteer advisory board. Without this group’s commitment, leadership, and ambassadorship, our work would not be possible.

The Leadership Council is our current active group of advisors.

• Barbara Anderson
• Chris Black (‘71, ‘74)
• Mischa Boardman (‘97, ‘00)
• Andrea Darden
• Chris Euritt
• Lee Gorman (‘79, ‘83)
• Susan S. Gutow
• Caroline Lee (‘88, ‘00)
• Ciara Merriman (‘98)
• Hillary Murt (’77)
• Laurita Thomas (’70)
• Don Vereen

The CEW+ Emeritae Council honors all those who have served on the Leadership Council, helping the Center to become what we are today. The Emeritae Council includes:

Menakka M. Bailey (‘78)
Lisa Baker
Nancy Barbour (‘64)
Norma C. Barfield
Ellen M. Byerlein
Jean W. Campbell *
Lois P. Cohn (‘54)
Julie F. Cummings
Martha Meier Dean (‘75)
Beverly B. Denbo (‘64) *
Anthony Derezinski (‘67)
Molly H. Dobson (‘44)
Carol Doll (‘65)
Anne Duderstadt
Susan S. Florsheim (‘64)
Geraldine B. Ford (‘48) *
Tiffany Ford
Twink Frey (‘61, ‘70)
Beverley Geltner (‘67, ‘81)
Christine Green (‘74, ‘85)
Susan Himle-Wills (’77, ’79)
Matina Souretis Horner (‘63, ‘68)
Margaret Kephart
Constance M. Kinnear (‘71, ‘82)
Rani Kotha
Judith H. Lax (‘65)
Anne Lehker (‘92)
Ashley M. Maentz (‘64)
William Martin (‘65)
Rebecca McGowan *
Virginia Patton Moss *
Robert D. Oliver (‘94, ‘02)
Karen O’Neal (‘63)
Ann V. Parfet
Lana B. Pollack (‘65, ‘70, ‘71)
Sheila Potiker (‘50) *
Kathleen K. Power *
Mary Princing (‘60, ‘61)
Desma Reid-Coleman (‘75)
Margaret A. Riecker *
Karla Scherer (‘57)
Martha R. Seger (‘54, ‘55, ‘71) *
Ann Sneed Schriber (‘70)
Gil Seinfeld
Carol S. Smokler (‘68, ‘70, ‘74)
Maxine J. Snider (‘64)
Elizabeth Stranahan *
Alicia Torres
Nellie M. Varner (‘68)
Erica A. Ward (‘75)
Marina v. N. Whitman

* in memoriam

Student Caregiver Excellence Committee, Student Parent Advisory Board, and
Student Caregiver Faculty and Staff Allies

Click here to learn more about these groups.

• Carol Hollenshead Inspire Award for Excellence in Promoting Equity and Social Change

Awards presented by the Academic Women’s Caucus, with administrative support by CEW+:

• Rhetaugh G. Dumas Progress in Diversifying Award
• Sarah Goddard Power Award

• American Association of University Women (AAUW) Organization and Student Organization
• The Association of Black Professionals and Faculty, Administrators and Staff (ABPFAS)
• Academic Women’s Caucus (AWC)
• ADVANCE Program
• U-M Athletics
• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
• Career Development Passport Program (CDP)
• Commission for Women (CFW)
• Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT)
• Department of Afroamerican and African Studies (DAAS)
• Division of Public Safety & Security (DPSS)
• Office of Enrollment Management (OEM)
• Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
• Edward Ginsberg Center
• Institute for Research on Women & Gender (IRWG)
• Organizational Learning
• College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA)
• Michigan Medicine HR
• Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (ODEI)
• Professional Latino/as at U-M Alliance (PLUMA)
• Office of the Provost
• U-M School of Public Health (SPH)
• Rackham Graduate School
• Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center (SAPAC)
• U-M School of Social Work (SSW)
• Spectrum Center
• Student Life
• Trotter Multicultural Center
• University Human Resources
• U-M Alumnae Council
• Women at U-M Dearborn
• Center for Gender and Sexuality (CGS)
• University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA)
• Office of Research (UMOR)
• Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP)
• Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)
• Women in Science and Engineering Residential Program (WISE RP)
• U-M Women’s Studies