International Women’s Day Across Campuses: A Week of Dialogue, Leadership, and Civic Engagement

From community dialogue in Heidelberg to leadership conversations in Madrid and Paris, Schiller International University marked International Women’s Day with events highlighting equality, resilience, and women’s leadership.

International Women’s Day Across Schiller Campuses

Last week, campuses across Schiller International University marked International Women’s Day through a series of events that encouraged reflection on leadership, equality, and the role of community in shaping more inclusive societies. Through partnerships, professional discussions, and inspiring guest speakers, students had the opportunity to engage with diverse perspectives on women’s leadership and empowerment.

Community Dialogue in Heidelberg

The week began with an inspiring visit by students from the Heidelberg campus to a community event hosted at the Deutsch-Amerikanisches Institut (DAI) Heidelberg under the theme “Give to Gain.” The gathering brought together professionals, community leaders, and students to reflect on the importance of collaboration and dialogue in advancing equality.

The event opened with welcoming remarks from Dr. Lena Jöhnk, Program Director at DAI Heidelberg, who emphasized the value of community engagement and shared knowledge in fostering meaningful social change. Stefanie Jansen, Deputy Mayor of Heidelberg, also addressed attendees, highlighting the importance of care work, equality, and civic participation in building stronger and more inclusive communities.

Throughout the morning, speakers and panelists explored topics ranging from evolving workplace dynamics to empowerment and structural change. The event’s interactive format encouraged participants to actively exchange ideas, including through a collaborative “Wall of Wisdom,” where attendees shared reflections, advice, and messages of encouragement.

Students attended the event alongside Dr. Manuela Toteva, faculty member at Schiller’s Heidelberg campus, and postgraduate student Alexis Chiong, who helped facilitate the visit and share the experience with the group.

Women in Leadership: Power & Purpose in Madrid

Later in the week, Schiller’s Madrid campus hosted “Power & Purpose: Women in Leadership,” a roundtable discussion bringing together professionals from diverse industries to share their experiences with students.

Moderated by Carmen Gómez, Chief Communications Officer at Schiller International University, the discussion featured Livia Orozco Salas (SE Advisory Services), Celia de la Hoz Sacasa (Willbe), Sílvia Pina (Hays), and Solange Cummins (former Microsoft executive). Together, they reflected on their professional journeys, discussing the opportunities, challenges, and pivotal decisions that shaped their careers.

Speakers emphasized the importance of curiosity, authentic leadership, and the growing role of sustainability across industries. Their stories reinforced an important message for students: professional paths are rarely linear, and meaningful careers often emerge through exploration, adaptability, and a clear sense of purpose.

Following the roundtable, students and speakers continued the conversation during an informal networking reception, where students had the opportunity to ask questions, seek advice, and build professional connections.

Inspiring Stories from the Paris Community

The week concluded on Thursday, March 12, with an International Women’s Day event organized by the Paris Student Council, whose leadership brought together guest speakers from the local community who shared their personal and professional journeys with students. The event also welcomed several students and staff from fellow GEDU institution EMA.

The first speaker, Monika Pallai, recounted her remarkable path from experiencing homelessness in Hungary to working for the Prime Minister before building a unique career that combines her expertise in psychology and law. Her story highlighted the importance of resilience, determination, and the ability to transform challenges into opportunities for growth.

Students also heard from Schiller alumna Carmen Terzian (MA in International Relations and Diplomacy, Class of 2024), who spoke about her career in finance in Lebanon and the challenges she faced as a woman in the workplace. Reflecting on her decision to move to Paris to pursue her graduate studies, she encouraged students to remain forward-looking and resilient, emphasizing that progress often comes from staying in motion rather than focusing on setbacks.

Continuing the Conversation

Initiatives like these showcase Schiller’s immersive learning experience as an ongoing commitment to connecting academic learning with real-world perspectives. While International Women’s Day offers a timely framework for these conversations, they are part of a continuous effort throughout the year to foster dialogue, encourage critical thinking, and support the development of inclusive and thoughtful leadership.