Colleague Alumni Magazine | Graduate School of Education and Psychology | Pepperdine University

Advancing Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship Among Women in Education

By Lani Fraizer (EDTech student)

A new student-alumni initiative at the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) will be launching this spring: iWE @ GSEP. A manifestation of GSEP’s mission to serve, iWE @ GSEP is an incubator for investigating, advancing, and creating awareness for innovations around women’s leadership locally, nationally, and worldwide, as well as focusing on positively impacting underserved populations through social and digital inclusion, such as digital literacy for urban communities.

iWE @ GSEP has two meanings. It is an acronym for International Women Entrepreneurs in social service. The “iWE” also stands for “I” the individual, and “we” as in the collective. iWE @ GSEP cofounder Lani Fraizer explains that much more can be accomplished when individuals and communities work together, acknowledging the unique contributions that “I” and “WE” bring.

iWE @ GSEP connects the GSEP community—encouraging student involvement, men and women alike, beyond their graduation date—to take action, participating in public forums and advancing leadership and social entrepreneurship among women in education, social service, and technology. As our world continues to evolve and change around us there is increasing focus on advancing women and sustaining community innovations. These initiatives are shaping the lives of learners, shaping the lives of citizens, and ultimately shaping our world.

iWE @ GSEP’s kickoff meeting was hosted by cofounders educational technology doctoral student Lani Fraizer (pictured, right) and dean Margaret Weber at the West Los Angeles Graduate Campus. They were joined by doctoral students Cathleen Deckers, Michelle Marquard, Theresa Stanley; alumni Dr. Gary Lysik, Dr. Karen Lysik; and GSEP faculty and staff, Dr. Linda Polin, Adam Owenz, Claudette LaCour, and Michael Neils.

For more information about iWE @ GSEP, please contact Lani Fraizer at ellen.fraizer@pepperdine.edu.