Speaking Up to Reinvent Campus Collaborations

Despite the call for more interdisciplinary collaborations across the academy, the old systems of participation often exclude women from engaging fully. By thinking creatively and speaking up, women have an opportunity to reinvent campus collaborations for more inclusive partnerships. As the co-founder of Voice First World, Jen Vellenga is on a mission to help professional women advance their position of leadership and influence through voice and performance training. Jen is a Professor of Theatre and the Associate Director in the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance at Kansas State University. Previously she has taught at the University of Miami (FL), Ohio University, and has presented workshops at universities across the United States, Australia, and Norway. While many of her former students enjoy successful careers on Broadway and in TV/Film, Jen has coached the voices of professors, university administrators, lawyers, politicians, journalists, doctors, entrepreneurs, YouTubers, and even a member of the Blue Angels flight squadron. Jen is the podcast creator, producer and host of the Ditch Your Backup Plan podcast, a member of the Voice and Speech Trainers Association, and Actors Equity Association.