This year’s event is open to girls from the Charlottesville area community
To increase young women’s interest in and education of construction and the building trades, the University of Virginia’s Facilities Management department will host its third annual Girls Day on Thursday, June 14 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Registration for the event is open now. This year’s event has been expanded to welcome girls from the Charlottesville area. Community members are encouraged to register girls between the ages of 10 and 16 to participate in various planned activities to show off the work of the Facilities Management department and the University of Virginia.
With more than 1,200 employees dedicated to excellence, Facilities Management is responsible for the day-to-day operation, repair and maintenance of UVA’s buildings, infrastructure and grounds. The day, designed to inspire and excite girls to consider a career in these areas, will include behind-the-scenes tours of jobsites, including the Carr’s Hill renovation and the Main Heat Plant, as well as hands-on activities with UVA tradespeople and opportunities to hear from the University’s dynamic women and what they love about their careers.
Women hold top leadership roles at the University, such as UVA President Teresa A. Sullivan, as well as within Facilities Management, such as Director of Operations Cheryl Gomez and Director of Facilities Planning & Construction Annette Cyphers. Prominent female leaders are also at the helm of other related departments, including Architect for the University of Virginia Alice Raucher, in addition to Senior Vice President for Operations Colette Sheehy, who oversees the Facilities Management department.
Girls Day participants will be treated to a lunchtime talk by Carla Williams, who was named the University of Virginia’s director of athletics last fall. Williams was previously an athletics administrator at the University of Georgia for 13 years.
“Last year’s event was an outstanding success,” said Associate Vice President and Chief Facilities Officer Don Sundgren, a strong proponent of hiring women at Facilities Management in a variety of roles such as construction project management, engineering and the skilled trades. “We’re excited to continue our work to encourage women and young girls to explore careers in these non-traditional fields.”
More information about UVA Facilities Management Girls Day is available online: https://www.fm.virginia.edu/girlsday2018.
