Dana S. Cummings is a higher education fundraising and advancement leader with nearly two decades of experience, and currently serves as Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Franklin College. In her role, Dana oversees all development, alumni engagement, and communications functions for the institution. In her time at Franklin, Dana has led the team to several back-to-back record-breaking fundraising years, including a successful conclusion to the $10 million Science Campaign, multiple successful 24-hour giving day campaigns, and unprecedented levels of fundraising reached in unrestricted giving for three consecutive years. Dana is an alumna of DePauw University, majoring in anthropology and receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1999.  She also went on to receive a Master of Public Affairs (MPA) degree in 2005 from the IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs, and her Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential in 2014 from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Currently, Dana is a doctoral student in Creighton University’s EdD program, and is scheduled to defend her dissertation in 2024. Dana and her husband live on 20 acres outside of Franklin, Indiana, with their three children, where they happily raise Katahdin sheep and chickens.

Presentation:

Lived Experiences of Women Working in Higher Ed: What Does the Research Tell Us?

Why aren't there more women in leadership positions in higher ed? And what can we do about it? It turns out that many of the issues keeping women from advancing within the sector are pervasive, but fixable. During this session, Dana Cummings, doctoral student, will share current findings from her research on the topic, pulling back the curtain a bit on reasons for so few women in leadership positions within higher education, and will offer important suggestions for institutions who are interested in developing a culture where women not only survive, but thrive.