(September 21, 2012)

Professor nominated for Athena Award

SHREVEPORT, LA — The Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce has named Dr. Kelly Weeks, Centenary Associate Professor of Business, as one of seven nominees for the 2012 Athena Award. The Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate professional excellence, devote time and energy to improving the community, and have helped women reach their full potential in leadership.

Kelly Weeks

"As a professor of business, I mentor many students and try to prepare them to be the future leaders of our world," said Weeks. "I believe this is one of the most important reasons I do what I do. I want to help our future leaders learn how to think critically, analyze problems, look at things from a variety of perspectives, and remain true to their ethical values as they move forward in the career paths."

Dr. Weeks is active in supporting causes throughout the community that build awareness of diversity and equality. She most recently moderated a panel for the Be Fair Shreveport campaign on workplace fairness that focused on providing safe and fair workplaces for LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer) workers in Louisiana. Weeks is also currently working with professionals around the city to bring a series of provocative documentaries on issues of racial inequality to Shreveport.

"My passion is social justice and diversity, and I spend a lot of my time helping people think about what it means to have a society that really values people of all backgrounds for who they are."

In her work at Centenary, Weeks teaches classes on Social Responsibility in Business, Diversity in the Workplace, Human Resources Management, and International Management. She has conducted consulting workshops and given keynote presentations in the areas of generational differences in the workforce, coaching and mentoring, and diversity-related issues. As a recipient of the Mellon Faculty Advancement Grant, Weeks has also increased faculty and staff knowledge of diversity issues on campus.

Nominees for the 2012 Athena Award will be honored at a luncheon held Thursday, October 18, at the Shreveport Convention Center. The winner will be announced during the program.