- Individuals who are committed to supporting and advancing women in higher education
Are you new to academia and looking for ways to connect with other scholars in or outside of your field of expertise? Need to jump-start your career and are looking for mentors to guide you? Then SCWHE events are a wonderful opportunity for you!
You become a member of SCWHE when you support, participate and/or contribute to SCWHE activities. There are no membership dues.
Be a part of a dynamic group of individuals who support the advancement of women – Get involved in SCWHE!
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SCWHE is a partner of the American Council on Education Women’s Network, which provides the national direction for women’s leadership development and career advancement.
Valuable professional development
Advancing women in higher education
Welcome to the 2026 SCWHE Annual Conference!
Join us on Thursday, February 19 and Friday, February 20, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Columbia for the 2026 SC Women in Higher Education Annual Conference. This year’s theme is Voices of Change: Learning, Lifting, & Thriving in Higher Education.
This in-person event is a great opportunity to connect with women in higher education and gain valuable insights from experts in academia, administration, and student affairs. Institutional Representatives will begin Thursday morning with a pre-conference workshop. All others may begin check-in on Thursday between 11:00am-12:00pm. Conference sessions will conclude at 4:00pm. On Friday, we will begin with a continental breakfast at 8:00am, and sessions will take place from 9:00a.m.-2:00p.m.
Don’t miss out on engaging sessions and inspiring keynote speakers. Whether you’re a seasoned higher education professional or just starting out in your career, there’s something for everyone at the 2026 SCWHE Annual Conference.
Mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable experience. We can’t wait to see you there!
Drawing on her own leadership journey, Nicole will discuss the complex realities many women
leaders face, including balancing motherhood with professional ambition. Participants will gain
perspective on leading with courage, redefining success across seasons of life, and embracing
leadership that is both authentic and resilient.
Nicole Edwards serves as the Associate Vice President
for the Human Resource Management department at
Midlands Technical College, where she oversees the
college’s key human resource functions. She has
worked in Human Resources for over twenty years and
been employed with the college for approximately 9 ½
years. Nicole is a graduate of the University of South
Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business with a
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She
received her Master of Arts in Human Resource
Management from Webster University. Nicole is also
designated as a Certified Professional in the Human
Resource field by the Society for Human Resource
Management (SHRM). Chair in 2013. Her leadership
continued as she was promoted to Dean of Health
Sciences in 2019, and in February 2024, assumed a
new role as Dean of the School of Education, where she
continues to champion academic excellence and
student-centered innovation.
Be a part of a dynamic group of individuals who support the advancement of women – Get involved in SCWHE!