From left: Lisa Schwiebert, Shilpa Register, Wendy Gunther-Canada and Janelle ChiaseraA group of women at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is paying it forward with the creation of a state network committed to developing and advancing women leaders in higher education.

The new Alabama Network for Women Leaders in Higher Education is under the aegis of the American Council on Education and is part of the ACE Women’s Network, a national system of state networks focused on identifying, developing, encouraging, advancing, linking and supporting women in higher education. Together, these state networks benefit as many as 10,000 women a year, through statewide and regional network programming and opportunities.

The group officially launched in mid-May with the goal to help other Alabama women grow and develop. Plans are in the works for a session at UAB on Oct. 8.