Back in 2017, Kristina Holton was attending a leadership conference when she got to chatting with a fellow member of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges.

Holton was looking for a new career challenge. The fellow AAWCC member said an opening was expected soon at Linn-Benton Community College. "I'll keep you in the loop," she said.

Later, the member contacted Holton to say the position was open and she should apply. Holton did, and joined LBCC in spring 2018 as its dean of Science, Engineering and Mathematics.

That's the power of women supporting women in leadership, which is what the AAWCC is all about. Making that support available to others, Holton said, is part of why the community college's chapter of the organization is so dedicated to helping the LBCC Foundation provide scholarships to students.

"Fundamentally, our job is to support students and transform lives. That is why we do this work," Holton said. AAWCC's efforts are "just a subset of that. It's a way of recognizing that we can give back and support women no matter where they are in life and in their journey."

The community college branch of AAWCC was formed in 2004, said Lena Spencer, LBCC administrative assistant for athletics. Spencer is secretary for the LBCC branch and president of the state chapter.

This year, the Linn-Benton AAWCC funded three scholarships of $1,500 each. In the past six years, Spencer said, the chapter has given $26,500 in scholarships.

Recipients don't have to be women, but women's applications are weighted more heavily, she said. "We ask an additional question: How are you going to promote the mission of lifting and supporting women through your work post college?"

AAWCC focuses on transforming the lives of women through education, service and leadership development, she explained. "We want to take our mission out into the world, and we want to lift women who are supporting other women."

The group raises money for the scholarships in a couple of different ways, Spencer said. In December, it holds a silent auction for faculty and staff. In February, members plan a "Scrapping for Scholarships" paper art crafting event. 

In addition to the scholarships, the Linn-Benton AAWCC provides a free clothing boutique called the Roadrunner Clothing Connection, a place where students can pick out pants, shirts, sweaters, jackets, shoes, boots and more. 

The group holds a clothing drive and dollar clothing sale every spring in connection with Earth Day to help keep the boutique stocked. Last year alone, the shop provided more than $33,000 worth of apparel to students. "We only continue to see an increase in usage," Holton said.

The Roadrunner Clothing Connection is available to all genders and all sizes, Spencer added. Donations to the boutique are tax-deductible because AAWCC works through the Foundation. "We hear all the time from students that it's their favorite place on campus," she said. (Volunteer by contacting clothingconnection@linnbenton.edu).

AAWCC's "Lunch and Learn" program is another way the chapter works with the college to help support education and leadership opportunities. Although all are welcome, and the programs are available on a sliding scale to make them affordable, emphasis is placed on supporting women.

One recent program, for instance, Holton said, focused on health issues specific to women. Another centered on plants and mental health, including a visit to a greenhouse where participants could pot their own plants. 

Yet another provided participants with training on riding a motorcycle, to give attendees - and specifically women who might be intimidated by the thought - encouragement to move forward with lessons.

Spencer said one of the things she likes best about AAWCC is the opportunity to connect, regardless of job title.

"You can be a dean or a vice president or a secretary, and you're all equal there," she said. "Everyone's just there to support each other."

"It's not just, ‘Hey, you're a female wanting to move up the ladder.' We focus on leadership," Holton said. "If you love what you do, and you want to be incredibly awesome at that, great. If you want to contribute in other ways, great. 

"We want to support women no matter where they are in their journey."