GREENSBURG, PA—Barbara K. Mistick, Director of the Seton Hill University National Education Center for Women in Business, accepted the position of Distinguished Service Professor of Entrepreneurship and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University’s H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management effective January 1, 2003. In her new role, Mistick will also direct all aspects of the expanded Girls in Math and Science Partnership.

Seton Hill University President, JoAnne Boyle, commented, “Under Barbara’s leadership, the National Education Center for Women in Business celebrated numerous achievements as Pennsylvania’s premier organization for assisting women business owners including the expansion of the Center’s offices to the University’s newly renovated Administration Building, creation of the first online community for women in business, e-magnify.com, growth of the ATHENA PowerLink initiative, and recognition by national, regional and local organizations for its innovative entrepreneurial programs.” Boyle added, “While we will miss Barbara’s energy and dynamism at Seton Hill, we know that she leaves the Center poised for its next steps in a rapidly changing educational and economic environment.”

During her tenure at Seton Hill University, Mistick facilitated the first state-wide research documenting women’s current and potential economic contributions to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and expanded numerous entrepreneurial educational opportunities for teens across the United States through the Camp Entrepreneur® Program which was recognized by the Small Business Administration with a Model of Excellence Award. Andrew McKelvey, Pennsylvania entrepreneur turned New York City multi-billionaire and CEO of TMP Worldwide, the parent company of Monster.com appreciated this distinctive approach and funded the annual summer Camp for recipients of McKelvey scholarships in an effort to enhance the leadership skills of students and develop their entrepreneurship potential.

“Seton Hill’s Center has evolved into a nationally recognized one-stop clearinghouse, complete with research, online resources and educational programs for budding entrepreneurs as young as 14. The more tools women have to succeed the greater the economic impact,” Mistick said. She added, “I’m grateful that Seton Hill provided me with the opportunity to create a regional clearinghouse that serves and witnessing the community embrace women business owners by recognizing their contributions to the economy.”

Jayne H. Huston will serve as Transitional Director of the National Education Center for Women in Business at Seton Hill beginning January 1, 2003. Huston, who has served under Mistick’s leadership for the past seven years, is the Center’s Associate Director, a position she has held since 1997. Huston will provide transitional leadership for a comprehensive strategic planning process to determine the needs of the Center’s constituents, from students to seasoned entrepreneurs, determining how the Center can most effectively meet the needs identified. In addition, she will continue to be responsible for daily administrative oversight of Center operations including supervision of staff, programs and activities to promote women and business ownership within the regional and national marketplaces. Huston said, “The Center’s transition is similar to the educational assistance that the Center provides to women business owners during the difficult economic period we are all facing. Our annual conference theme, for example, is “Redefining Business as Usual.” Rosabeth Moss Kanter, a foremost thinker in change and innovation and Ernest L. Arbuckle Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, will provide the keynote address. Throughout the Center’s transition, we will consider new and enhanced opportunities for innovative programming and collaborative efforts to expand our reach.”

The brainchild of Seton Hill University’s business faculty, the National Education Center for Women in Business was established to support and expand the role of women business owners. Beginning with middle school students and extending through the undergraduate, graduate and professional life stages, the Center has implemented diversified tailored programs encouraging entrepreneurial skills and economic self-sufficiency.

The Center’s work has been recognized by national, regional and local organizations including the prestigious Leavy Award for Excellence in Private Enterprise Education, the Education Foundation’s National Awards Program, the Ernst & Young “Supporter of Entrepreneurship” Award, the Small Business Administration’s Regional Women in Business Advocate Award and the Award of Excellence in Innovative Educational Programs from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) for its innovative entrepreneurial programs. For additional information on the Center and its programs, please visit e-magnify.com or contact Jayne H. Huston at 724-830-4612.

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