PLEN Seminars

The Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy sponsors scholarships to several PLEN seminars.

PLEN STEM 2022 300 x 400

STEM Policy

While women’s participation in the STEM field has grown in recent years, men still far outnumber women. This gap is especially pronounced in the areas of physics, engineering, and computer science, where women only earn 20% of bachelor’s degrees. This seminar offers students a valuable opportunity to hear firsthand from women in science, health and technology who are shaping our nation’s STEM agenda. Students will connect with senior officials in the public, nonprofit and private sectors.

Seminar: TBA
Location: Washington D.C.
Deadline to apply for CWPPP scholarships: TBA
Learn more about the STEM Policy seminar.

Global Policy

At the five-day Global Policy seminar, participants will learn how to launch their international policy career through participating in policy discussions, diplomacy simulations, and connecting with women leaders who are shaping policy in DC and across the world.

Seminar: TBA
Location: Washington D.C.
Deadline to apply for CWPPP scholarships: TBA
Learn more about the Global Policy seminar.

TWUxPLEN

Each fall, the Center for Women in Politics & Public Policy (CWPPP) and the Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN) co-host a one-day seminar on health topics important to the women of Texas, with the goal of increasing women’s familiarity with the policy field.

These seminars are open to everyone in Texas and serve as an introduction to PLEN and to the CWPPP. By leveraging TWU’s position in the healthcare field, and PLEN’s experience with networking, we are able to provide seminars, panels and workshops focused on changes in health policy. We bring together the researchers, practitioners, policy specialists and state legislators who stand on the forefront of health policy in Texas. 

Previous events

2021 TWUxPLEN: Health Equity

In 2021, TWUxPLEN focused on health equity. The presentations included Medicaid expansion, human trafficking and upstream thinking. Policy sessions examined LGBTQ+ access to health care, increases in maternal mortality and advances in holistic healthcare.

Guest panelists included:

  • Dr. Chin-Nu Lin
  • Dr. Stephanie Evans
  • Dr. Carmen Cruz
  • Dr. Vivienne Born (TWU)
  • Dr. Mollie Gordon
  • Dr. Melissa Torres (Baylor College of Medicine)
  • Dr. Ling Zhu (University of Houston)
  • Eleanor Sarkodie (Whitman-Walker Health)
  • Kelly Davis (National Birth Equity Collaborative)
  • Kimberly C. Sherman (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
  • Michelle Romero (Texas Medical Association).

TWU alumna and State Representative Ana-Maria Ramos (D-District 102) discussed the successes and challenges in Medicaid expansion in Texas.

2020 Seminar: Health Policy Decision Making

In 2020, our seminar focused on health policy decision-making, with in-depth sessions on food security and maternal and child health.

Our legislative panel featured Shefali Luthra, health reporter for The 19th, moderating a panel of Texas legislators discussing important health issues. Representatives Senfronia Thompson (D-District 141), Donna Howard (D-District 48) and Stephanie Klick (R-District 91) participated. Senator Jane Nelson (R-District 12) introduced the legislative panel and opened the series. Guest speakers included:

  • Mia Keeys (Health Equity Policy & Advocacy - American Medical Association)
  • Dr. Clare Brock (Texas Woman’s University)
  • Sung Hee Choe (FasterCures Center - Milken Institute)
  • Francesa Ochillo (Next Century Cities)
  • Faisa Ali (Women's Global Health, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)
  • Martha Cramer (Senior Policy Advisor, U.S. House of Representatives)

Page last updated 8:49 AM, April 10, 2023