PROVO, Utah — BYU Athletics and the Big 12 Conference will be holding a women’s empowerment event during BYU’s homecoming week on Thursday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Marriott Center floor.
All members of the BYU campus community, including students, faculty and staff are invited to attend.
The event’s focus on women is an extension of BYU’s homecoming theme this year, which is “Lean into Light.” Highlighting the opportunity to come together as women from inside and outside of BYU, as well as inside and outside of what might be our typical circles of influence, this specific event is branded as “Lean into Light TogetHER.”
The Big 12 has done three women’s empowerment homecoming collaborations with other conference schools already this year, part of the Be You Women’s Empowerment Series. They bring with them a beauty bar from event-sponsor Maybelline, a headshot station, giveaways and a panel discussion with Sports Illustrated Swim representatives, specifically focused on women’s mental health awareness.
BYU Athletics will add to the event with booths featuring different services, programs and companies on campus and in the local community, including:
- BYU Women’s Services
- Utah Women and Leadership Project
- Sorenson Center for Moral and Ethical Leadership
- United Way of Utah County
- Her Y Podcast
- HIGH Fitness
- mixhers
Various speakers from BYU and the local community will deliver short, TED-talk-style addresses, throughout the event, including:
- Jocelyn Allan, BYU cheer head coach
- Bitsy Tullis, BYU women’s tennis student-athlete
- Brigitte Madrian, BYU Marriott School of Business dean
- Lita Little Giddins, BYU associate vice president of belonging
- Chante Stutznegger, Let’s Talk Sis
A BYU panel discussion will take place, moderated by Whitney Johnson Catt, BYU Athletics associate athletic director for student-athlete development, diversity and inclusion. The panel will include:
- Liz Darger, BYU Athletics senior associate athletic director and senior woman administrator
- Diljeet Taylor, BYU women’s cross country head coach and associate director of track and field
- Camille Johnson, general Relief Society president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Sports Illustrated Swim panel will be moderated by Jenn Hunter, Big 12 chief impact officer, and will include SI Swim models Mady Dewey, Jasmine Sanders and Berkleigh Wright.
Other event activities:
- Maybelline Beauty Bar
- Nike Custom Headbands
- Friendship bracelet making
- Bouquet making
- Affirmations Board
- BYU Womens' Clubs wall
- Photo opportunities
Event performances by:
- BYU Cougarettes
- BYU Afro Dance Ensemble Women
- Sarah Sun, Miss Utah 2023
- HIGH Fitness
Lunch will be served at the event, courtesy of Costa Vida.
Full Big 12 and BYU Women’s Empowerment Thursday Event Schedule
10:00 - Doors open
10:10 - TED talk by Jocelyn Allan
10:20 - TED talk by Brigitte Madrian
10:30 - TED talk by Chante Stutznegger
10:40 - Sarah Sun piano performance
11:00 - SI Swim Panel with Mady Dewey, Jasmine Sanders and Berkleigh Wright
12:00 - Cougarettes Performance
12:10 - BYU Panel with Camille Johnson, Diljeet Taylor and Liz Darger
1:10 - High Fitness Performance
1:20 - TED talk by Bitsy Tullis
1:30 - TED talk by Lita Little Giddens
1:40 - Afro Dance Ensemble Performance
2:00 - Event end
Prior to the women’s empowerment, Big 12 representatives and BYU student-athletes and coaches will visit Cherry Creek Elementary School in Springville on Tuesday, Oct. 17 to unveil a $50K makeover for a new STEM center as a part of the College Football Playoff Foundation's signature program, Extra Yard Makeover Project.