With a past bearing titles such as Director, C.E.O., and Founding Executive, Wheaton College is lucky to have Professor Marcia Coné as a member of its Bubble. As a professor of Business and Management as well as Women’s and Gender Studies, Professor Coné dedicates her time to teaching interactive classes that draw on her own experiences as well as those of her students.
“Part of the reason I am here is that I feel like it’s a community,” she said. “It’s a place where I can add value and that adds value to my life.” Professor Coné stressed the importance of working in an environment of shared values. She expressed her wish for all of her students “to be in spaces where their values align and the work is meaningful to them and the community really supports them, because that is where the magic happens.”
In Coné’s past work experience, she had been fortunate enough to have such luck. When she first started working for the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island in 2005 as a consultant, she felt respected as a mother of two, a student pursuing her doctoral degree, and a teacher. Coné later became the first director of Women’s Fund and had 25 legislative wins under her belt, such as the Women’s Fund’s biggest win: the Paid Family Leave Act of 2013. “I’ve designed and developed many programs there to engage women civically and to advance them on boards and commissions.”
In the midst of all the Women’s Fund’s success, they also formed a powerful connection with Wheaton. Professor Claire Buck of the English Department was on the board and wanted to introduce Coné to Kim Miller, the coordinator of the Women’s and Gender Studies program. Together, they created an internship program that allowed Wheaton students to work for the Women’s Fund. So far, about twelve Wheaton students have been interns and have gained hands-on experience in research, communications, fundraising, and policy at the Women’s Fund.
Coné became more involved on campus when Miller asked her to conduct workshops on grant writing for the senior seminars. Later, she was presented with opportunities to teach in the Women’s and Gender Studies program and then the new Business and Management department. Along with her teaching positions, Coné also owns a consulting practice which centers around organizational development and leadership.
Professor Coné will be teaching more classes in the spring semester. If interested, keep your eyes open for her courses and be sure to add them to your schedule!