University of Nevada, Business Leaders, and Dress for Success Unite to Empower Women Through Business of Her Experience – University of Nevada Athletics

Report on a Multi-Stakeholder Initiative for Women’s Empowerment and Professional Development

1.0 Introduction

This report details a collaborative initiative between the University of Nevada, the non-profit organization Dress for Success Northern Nevada, and private sector leaders. The project, centered on sending female university students to the 2025 Business of Her Women’s Conference, serves as a practical model for advancing several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on gender equality, quality education, decent work, and strategic partnerships.

2.0 Initiative Overview

2.1 Project Description

A cohort of ten female students from the University of Nevada, including student-athletes, was selected to participate in the Business of Her Women’s Conference. This initiative provided comprehensive support to remove financial and material barriers, thereby fostering an environment conducive to professional growth and networking.

2.2 Key Stakeholders and Contributions

• University of Nevada: Facilitated student participation and institutional support.
• Dress for Success Northern Nevada: A non-profit organization that provided professional attire and personalized styling sessions, directly contributing to the students’ confidence and professional readiness.
• Private Sector Partners (Alexis Meruelo, Sahara Las Vegas, Martin Harris Construction): Provided financial sponsorship covering all travel, lodging, and conference registration costs.

3.0 Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The initiative demonstrates a strong commitment to the global development agenda through its alignment with the following SDGs:

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality: The project’s core mission is to empower young women by providing them with access to leadership development, networking opportunities, and the tools necessary for professional advancement. By equipping them with confidence and professional attire, the program directly supports Target 5.5: ensuring women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The initiative prepares students for entry into the workforce. Providing professional clothing and access to a business conference directly addresses the need for career development tools, empowering women to achieve economic independence and pursue decent work.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: By covering all associated costs, the partnership ensures that students from diverse economic backgrounds have equal access to this high-value professional development opportunity. This action directly contributes to reducing inequalities and promoting the social and economic inclusion of all.
4. SDG 4: Quality Education: The experience extends learning beyond the traditional academic curriculum, offering invaluable real-world insights into leadership, entrepreneurship, and professional networking. This aligns with Target 4.4, which aims to increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: This initiative is a prime example of a multi-stakeholder partnership. The collaboration between a public university, a non-profit organization, and private businesses showcases the effectiveness of cross-sectoral cooperation in achieving sustainable development outcomes.

4.0 Program Implementation and Impact

4.1 Execution

The program was executed through a series of coordinated actions:

• Selection of ten female students from various university departments.
• Personalized fitting sessions organized by Dress for Success to provide each participant with a complete professional outfit at no cost.
• Logistical and financial coordination by private sponsors to ensure seamless participation in the conference.

4.2 Stated Outcomes

Stakeholders emphasized the initiative’s focus on building confidence and community support. Jessica Stack, Executive Director of Dress for Success Northern Nevada, stated the mission is about “Helping women walk into new experiences with confidence and pride.” This sentiment was echoed by university leadership, who highlighted the creation of opportunities that “support and inspire the next generation.” The participation of University of Nevada First Lady Lauralyn Sandoval as a speaker further reinforces the program’s goal of providing inspirational role models, directly contributing to SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

5.0 Conclusion

The partnership between the University of Nevada, Dress for Success, and private business leaders represents a successful, localized strategy for advancing global Sustainable Development Goals. By focusing on the empowerment of young women through education, professional development, and the removal of socioeconomic barriers, the initiative provides a replicable model for how targeted community action can contribute to achieving gender equality, promoting decent work, reducing inequality, and fostering quality education through effective partnerships.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The initiative supports university students by providing them with opportunities for professional development and networking that complement their formal education. This enhances the quality and relevance of their learning experience by preparing them for future careers.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  The article’s central theme is the empowerment of women. The collaboration specifically targets female students, providing them with resources, confidence-building support, and access to a women’s leadership conference to help them achieve economic independence and leadership roles.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The program directly supports young women in their transition from education to the workforce. By providing professional attire, career development tools, and networking opportunities, it aims to help them secure productive employment and build “lasting careers,” contributing to economic growth.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article explicitly highlights a multi-stakeholder partnership as the foundation of the initiative. It describes how the “University, business leaders, and local nonprofits come together” to create opportunities, demonstrating a collaborative approach to achieving development goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.

   The article connects to this target by sending students to the “Business of Her Women’s Conference,” which is designed for “entrepreneurs, executives, creatives, and change-makers” to come together for “inspiration, networking, and growth.” This provides the students with relevant skills for entrepreneurship and future employment.

2. Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.

   The initiative directly supports this target by sponsoring women to attend a conference focused on leadership. The goal is to “support and inspire the next generation” of female leaders and show them “what’s possible when education, hard work, and opportunity intersect.”

3. Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.

   This initiative provides a form of training and professional development for young women (university students) that bridges the gap between education and employment. The support from Dress for Success, which helps women “enter the workforce,” is a clear effort to reduce the challenges youth face when starting their careers.

4. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

   The article is a case study of this target in action. It details a “special collaboration between the Wolf Pack [public university], local non-profit Dress For Success [civil society], and business leader Alexis Meruelo [private sector].” The support from Sahara Las Vegas and Martin Harris Construction further exemplifies this public-private-civil society partnership.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 4.4: The number of young women participating in professional development and entrepreneurship training.

  The article implies this indicator by stating that a “group of 10 women from the University” will attend the conference, providing a specific count of participants in this skills-building opportunity.

• Indicator for Target 5.5: The number of women receiving support to enter leadership and professional roles.

  This is implied through the actions of Dress for Success, which provided “a complete professional outfit” to each of the women to help them “walk into new experiences with confidence and pride.” The number of beneficiaries (10 women) serves as a direct measure.

• Indicator for Target 8.6: The number of youth receiving career development support to facilitate their transition into the workforce.

  The article mentions that Dress for Success provides “career development tools” and helps women “enter the workforce and build lasting careers.” The 10 students receiving this comprehensive support (conference access, professional attire, networking) are a measurable indicator of this effort.

• Indicator for Target 17.17: The existence and number of multi-stakeholder partnerships and the value of mobilized resources.

  The article explicitly describes the partnership between the University of Nevada, Dress for Success, and business leaders. It also implies the value of mobilized resources by stating that “all travel, lodging, and registration costs were covered” and that professional outfits were provided “all at no cost,” indicating significant in-kind and financial contributions from the partners.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: nevadawolfpack.com