Lori Muse, the director of the Women’s Leadership Program at Cal State Fullerton’s College of Business and Economics, is herself an example of the journey to empowerment in the workplace that she is preparing students for.

”Academia is my second career, public accounting was my first beginning in the early 1990s. I found myself in many challenging situations as one of the few, and in many cases the only, female at boardroom tables,” she recalls. “None of my college coursework prepared me for this. Having overcome this obstacle drew me to the mission of empowering and developing young women through the Women’s Leadership Program.”

The program Muse leads provides upper-division undergrads and graduate students with five free career coaching sessions and a certified career coach. Additionally, there are eight seminars throughout the academic year, focusing on topics such as strengthening your influence, salary negotiation and leveraging your experience.

“Had I had the opportunities that the Women’s Leadership Program provides, I know it would have made my career in public accounting much easier since I would have anticipated many of the obstacles and better prepared myself for navigating past these hurdles.”

An Enduring Impact on Students and Alumnae

Nearly nine years after its founding in 2015, the impact of the Women’s Leadership Program on students and alumnae has become time-tested and unmistakable.

”Some alumnae have even referred to the program as life-changing,” says Muse. “Impacting the lives of students is why I am in academia. All parts of my job are rewarding, but I am by far most honored to be the director of this program to touch the lives of so many students who will be important leaders in the business world and will ultimately change the fabric of their organizations.”

When the Women’s Leadership Program hosted its inaugural International Women’s Day symposium on March 8, millennial alumnae of the program’s earlier days joined today’s Generation Z students in hearing from acclaimed author Jennifer McCollum and networking with their peers.

A Vision for Women’s Leadership Education

With global gender pay equity expected to take another 257 years, with women of color experiencing the largest pay gaps, women are outnumbered in executive level positions in the U.S. by a nine-to-one ratio. It’s an even more abysmal 16-to-one for women of color.

”The time to achieve gender parity is now. I believe these statistics are simply unacceptable in 2024,” says Muse.

Citing research that recognizing one’s own confidence, advocating for oneself and proving their value are the largest hurdles today’s businesswomen face, Muse’s program is focused on these and other challenges that women face in corporate America.

“My overarching vision for our program is to broaden its reach and impact. our goals to make this a reality include making the Women’s Leadership Program more visible on campus, social media and in the community; growing our donor base to bring our life changing impact to more Titans; and growing our advisory board to bring more powerful speakers who have lessons and advice to share with our students to help them achieve their career goals,” says Muse.

Expanding the women’s day conference into an annual two-day lecture series and developing an alumni program are among the other initiatives Muse is pursuing.

Muse’s Advice to Students

“Throughout my childhood and early adulthood, my father ingrained in me that the word ‘can’t’ is not part of our family’s vocabulary,” says Muse. “Instead, we look for ways we can do things. I’m grateful my dad planted that seed in my mind because it developed into a life philosophy that makes me strive for creative solutions to overcome obstacles in both my professional and personal lives.”

Today, Muse encourages students to hit the delete button on the word ‘can’t’

“Upon receiving a job offer, research the salary for that position and try to negotiate,” she says. “A student has nothing to lose by trying to negotiate on their starting salary. They just need to do a little research and have the confidence to make the ask!”

Muse also looks to her close friend group for inspiration and encourages students to do the same.

“A supportive friend group, such as the alumnae of the Women’s Leadership Program, is incredibly helpful when you need career advice, because you can trust the group and know they have your best interests at heart and the discussions will stay confidential.”