CEW AT A GLANCE

The Center for the Education of Women was established in 1964, a partnership between the University of Michigan and members of the Ann Arbor community committed to encouraging and enabling women to complete their college educations. Since its founding, the Center has been a unit within the University, celebrated for offering unique services, programs, research and advocacy efforts for female and male students, faculty and staff, as well as for residents of Ann Arbor and surrounding communities.

Counseling Services

Free individual counseling has been at the heart of CEW’s mission from its beginning. During 2005-06, for example, 307 UM students and 405 UM staff/faculty and community members walked through our open doors to meet with one of our four professional counselors. Over the past 44 years, CEW counselors have worked with literally thousands of University and non-University men and women facing decision points in their lives. The counselors have helped participants think through and deal with education and career plans, financial problems, and other transition issues.

Scholarships

The CEW Scholarship Program was established in 1970 to honor the academic performance and potential of students whose education has been interrupted. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, in 2007 we awarded scholarships totaling over $250,000 to 47 women between the ages of 27 and 55. In the past 37 years, CEW has given out over 1200 scholarships, which have changed many lives and enabled women to reach their academic and professional goals.

Student Funds

Thanks to the University of Michigan and our private donors, CEW also maintains various funds for students. We annually help support many undergraduate and graduate students in their research projects, for example, and we provide emergency grants to students who find themselves in financial crises.

Programs

In the Fall, 2007 semester, the Center sponsored or co-sponsored a total of 42 programs, workshops and other informative events, most of them free and open to the public as well as to the University community. The topics range from the job-search process, leadership and career development, financial planning, and work-life balance to such important national and international issues as AIDS and the economy of third world countries. CEW also brings to campus prominent women scholars, social activists, artists and other leaders.

Research

CEW maintains its own staff of research specialists, who study topics related to our mission of exploring issues related to women in higher education, employment and leadership. CEW’s research leads to position papers, community dialogues, policy recommendations, legislative reports, and other forms of social activism—all aimed at creating a society where gender equity flourishes.

CEW'S Mission Statement

To help women enter and stay in the mainstream of higher education, professional preparation, and leadership, and to help them make use of their education through personal and professional development.

To help the University of Michigan eliminate institutional barriers to equity in education and employment; to make issues of equity for women clear and of higher institutional priority.

To monitor changing issues for women in education and employment and to do research and disseminate findings regarding these issues. To train professionals and students in areas relevant to the Center's mission and expertise.