Project Director

This project was directed by UVU professor Dr. Susan R. Madsen.

Dr. Susan R. Madsen is the Orin R. Woodbury Professor of Leadership and Ethics in the Woodbury School of Business at Utah Valley University. She is also an independent leadership and change consultant. She has been heavily involved for many years in researching the lifetime development of prominent women leaders. She has personally interviewed a host of women university presidents, governors, and international leaders and has had two books and numerous articles published on her results. She is now doing related leadership research and consulting in the United Arab Emirates and China. Susan has also published nearly 60 articles in peer-reviewed scholarly journals, writes invited chapters for books, and is interviewed often as an expert for newspaper and magazine articles. She speaks and presents often in local, national, and international settings. In fact, in the past year she has presented in sessions at the United Nations in New York and Geneva on women, leadership, and education. Susan has also been very involved in community work in Utah County and the state. For example, her commitment and work with service and engaged learning led to her selection in past years as Utah Valley University's "Civic Engaged Scholar of the Year" and "Outstanding Civic Engagement Award" by Utah Campus Compact. One thing many people don't know about Susan is that she started her career many years ago as a junior high speech and debate teacher.

Three years ago Susan created the "Utah Women and Education Project" and has led a research team and over 100 colleagues, students, advisory committee members, and community volunteers to assist in conducting research and leading change in the state. She has been working with the Utah System of Higher Education, Utah State Office of Education, Governor's Office, and others to figure out how to get more Utah women to attend college and then graduate.

Susan received her doctorate degree from the University of Minnesota in Work, Community, and Family Education with a specialization in human resource development. She has other degrees in exercise science/wellness and speech communication education and started her career many years ago as a junior high speech and debate teacher. She currently lives in Highland Utah with her husband and children and enjoys racquetball, soccer, snowshoeing, golf, hiking, and community involvement.