WOMEN IN HIGHER EDUCATION MISSISSIPPI NETWORK
Welcome
Hotty Toddy from the University of Mississippi! We can’t wait for you to join us in Oxford for the 2025 WHEMN Conference, Feb. 28–29, 2025. Each year, this event is an amazing professional development and networking opportunity, adding to the decades-long proven track record of WHEMN (pronounced “women”) to identify, develop, advance and support women across all areas of higher education.
The ongoing and growing impact of WHEMN began with the inaugural conference in 2004 with 57 participants and has grown to a record attendance in 2024 with nearly 450 participants from more than 25 higher education institutions across Mississippi. It is important to note that while the organization and annual conference are focused on women in higher education in Mississippi, the event and resources of WHEMN are available and beneficial to all higher education professionals.
The 2025 conference theme, “Wonder WHEMN: Embrace Your Crown, Lead with Purpose” celebrates the many crowns we wear as leaders, mentors, educators, administrators, advocates, champions, and so much more. The theme also reflects the deep sense of purpose of the vital roles we all play in advancing opportunities through higher education for the betterment of our students, our state, and our future.
Conference planning is underway, and we are vigorously organizing a range of dynamic speakers, engaging sessions, and panel discussions. It is our goal to provide a meaningful professional development experience while encouraging uplifting networking opportunities and featuring timely topics to help advance your work in higher education.
We’re grateful for the ongoing support and enthusiasm for WHEMN. And, we can’t wait to welcome Wonder WHEMN in higher education from across the state to our beautiful campus in February 2025. Be sure to take advantage of early bird registration opening in October.
Best,
2025 WHEMN Conference Planning Committee
Hilarie Bain, Marketing and Communications
Ashley Baker, Special Events
Virginia Chavis, Office of the Provost
Emily Ferris, Co-Chair, Division of Outreach
Jenn Fos, Student Affairs
Jessica Hughes, Human Resources
Jessica Lynch, Alumni Affairs
Shawnboda Mead, Co-Chair, Access, Opportunity & Community Engagement
Adrienne McDill, Enrollment Management
Charlotte Parks, Development
Rebecca Phillips, Co-Chair, Special Events
Shannon Richardson, William Magee Center
Jennifer Saxon, Athletics
Jennifer Simmons, Office of the Provost
Lisa Stone, Co-Chair, Marketing and Communications
Upcoming Events
2026 WHEMN Conference
February 2026
The University of Southern Mississippi / Hattiesburg
