“A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.”
– Diane Mariechild

As you read in this issue about our rollout of three signature programs that will become an integral part of The Women’s College of Brenau University — GOLD, the Ideal Collective and the Executive Women’s MBA — know that I share your excitement.

I had the distinct honor and pleasure of sitting on The Women’s College Committee alongside many of my colleagues. With guidance from President Schrader, we spent almost two years researching and developing the ideas that later became these three programs. With the number of women’s colleges now below 35 in the United States, we knew that we wanted to remain in that number for another 140 years. Our committee decided on Day One that we must work to keep the historic Women’s College at the core of Brenau University.

We wanted to create strong leaders that would leave our beloved Brenau and go out into the world and make a difference. We knew we already had something great at Brenau, but we knew it could be better. We needed an identity, and we needed to stand out, just like our graduates.

As an alumna myself, what I received in my time at Brenau both in The Women’s College and the university was an experience I am not sure I would have found anywhere else. I built relationships and friendships that will last a lifetime. I gained self-confidence, took inspiration from faculty, learned how to be an empowered woman, and knew that no matter where I went in life I always had a family at Brenau.

In all of our discussions, the most important aspect was keeping that integral piece of The Women’s College: family. So many of our young students are looking for just that: a place to belong, a place to call home and family that will support them in their educational journey. They have that at Brenau.

The Women’s College of Brenau University has come full circle. We’re keeping her legacy, traditions and that Brenau family feeling, while strengthening her ability to create, nurture and transform women for the next century. And I can’t wait to see what she does next.

Ashley M. Carter, WC ’09, BU ’12
Director of Alumni & Constituent Engagement
acarter3@brenau.edu | 770.534.6164