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As a woman in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field, Dr. Allison Bailey knows the struggles of succeeding as a professional in the male-dominated industry.

Fortunately, the associate professor of environmental studies and geography in the Lewis F. Rogers Institute Environmental and Spatial Analysis at the University of North Georgia (̨Íåswag) has become a member of an organization geared toward helping similar higher education faculty improve and succeed. Bailey is in the 2018 cohort of the Training and Retaining Leaders in STEM () fellows, which is a -funded program for women in the geospatial sciences. It is designed to provide professional development for women in higher education.

"I was really honored to receive this," Bailey said, explaining she attended a three-day conference in Madison, Wisconsin that helped her evaluate her professional life and choices. "I figured out what I wanted for my career and how to make decisions to lead me in the direction I want to go."

TRELIS has awarded her a grant to conduct a professional development workshop for women in the geosciences in Georgia. She will collaborate with professors from University of Georgia and Valdosta State to facilitate the one-day workshop during fall semester 2018 in Athens, Georgia.