Dear Christian Women in Science,

2016 ASA Conference at Azusa Pacific University – Save $100 before May 31! 

Register before May 31 and get a $375 registration (regular member) for only $275!  Early Bird rates end May 31. This conference, celebrating ASA’s 75^th year, features great field trips, excellent plenary speakers, a full plate of interesting talks, and two half-day workshops, one on genomic bioethics and one on practical Sunday School lessons on science.  Registration is open now here. 

Are you going to be at APU?  If so, please email Lynn at lynn.l.billman@gmail.com or cwis.asa@gmail.com and let her know so we can look for you. 

Faith Tucker, from the CWIS Board, is organizing a dynamite panel of discussion topics for the Azusa conference:

·       Oh! I Feel Like a Woman [Scientist] - Shania Twain might know what it's like to feel like a woman, but do you know what it's like to feel like a woman scientist? Women make up only one quarter of those working in the sciences, and their experiences in the laboratory, classroom and industry are unique and varied. Join the Christian Women in Science (CWIS) for a diverse panel of women discussing their experiences, joys and challenges of being a Christian woman working in the sciences.

·       Calling All Men! - There is more and more discussion about the lack of women working in the sciences, but is this issue only relevant to women? No! Come hear from both men and women about why increasing the number of women working in science is just as much of a men's issue and learn about how you can support your female colleagues, students, wives and daughters as they pursue their careers in science.

·       Ask Not What Your Students Can Do For You... -  But what you can do for your students. Today's students will be tomorrow's PIs, professors and project managers. But it is a long road from the undergraduate classroom to an established career in the sciences. In this session we will hear from current students and early career scientists about the challenges and questions they face and consider how ASA as an organization and we as individuals in our unique professional roles can support and encourage the next generation of Christians in the sciences.

In addition, ASA women will have a quick lunchtime together, a naturalist-led walk around the beautiful Azusa campus with its exotic flowers and foliage (open to all), a booth in the exhibitor area, and a State of CWIS meeting.  Hope to see you at Azusa!

Why is 2016 a Phenomenal Year for Women in Leadership in ASA!?  Do you realize what 2016 represents?  This year the three top leadership positions in ASA are being filled by women.  As of April 1, 2016:

·       Leslie Wickman became the ASA Executive Director

·       Vicki Best became the Director of Operations and Development, and

·       Lynn Billman became the President of the ASA Executive Council

While women have held the position of ASA Council President several times over ASA’s 75-yr history, Leslie’s appointment as Executive Director is an absolute first.  Leslie brings to us a wealth of experience as a researcher, teacher, and administrator, both in academia and in industry. She received her PhD in human factors and biomechanics from Stanford University and most recently was Program Director of Engineering and Director of the Center for Research in Science, both at Azusa Pacific University.

Her industry experience includes work at the Aerospace Corporation, the RAND Corporation, and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space. Her work centered on the U.S. human spaceflight program, and she is a trained EVA/IVA test astronaut with over 100 hours of test time in a NASA spacesuit and an FAA private pilot's license. Last, but certainly not least, Leslie has a passion for reaching the church and our culture at large with the message that faith and science, rather than being in conflict with one another, instead complement one another.

Along with the appointment of Leslie as Executive Director, Vicki Best was appointed ASA's Director of Operations and Development. Vicki is already well known to the ASA family as Director of Business Development, where she has played a pivotal role in helping to manage the ASA's finances and to lead the ASA's development efforts.  Vicki brings to us a wealth of experience as an accountant, financial manager and business professional, both in the corporate world and the not-for-profit sector. She received her Bachelors in Arts in business administration with a concentration in accounting and mathematics from Gordon College. She most recently was Business/Property Manager  for Covenant Christian Academy (CCA), a PreK - Grade 12 classical, Christian school in the Boston area. She continues to work as Property Manager at CCA where she has served for 18 years and as Treasurer at First Congregational Church of Hamilton, her home church, where she has served for 20 years.

Vicki's additional not-for-profit experience includes accounting, development, tax and audit consulting for several faith-based organizations. Her corporate experience includes work at Putnam Investments, Health Reinsurance Management Partnership, and McNiff Real Estate Companies, LLC. She also serves as Treasurer of the Wazee Foundation and has just returned from a mission trip to Kenya with the organization's board of directors. Vicki has a genuine passion for her work with the ASA and believes she is uniquely suited to partner with Leslie to bring ASA to a new level of ministry effectiveness.

Hope you are having a wonderful spring, and congratulations to all of you graduating this month or next!  Blessings to you all.

Lynn Billman

CWIS President and President of the ASA Executive Council