The Women in STEM Mentorship Program (WSMP) is a year-long program that pairs high school junior and senior women* with College of DuPage STEM faculty to build relationships and create a network of support upon entering the community college environment.
About the Program
Participants will meet once a month with their mentor over the course of the academic year. These meetings will take place virtually or in person. Monthly meetings will focus on a variety of topics, including: career exploration, student life, challenges in the field, college exploration, and outreach.
Participants will be expected to follow the guidelines outlined in the Mentee Welcome Packet provided upon acceptance in the program. They may also be asked to complete program reflections and participate in brief, periodic program evaluations.
The Women in STEM Mentorship Program (WSMP) is a year-long program that pairs a female COD STEM faculty member with a high school junior or senior who identifies as female and is interested in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
Eligibility
This is a competitive program which only accepts up to 10 participants per academic year. Preference is given to high school juniors. If a student applies for their junior year and is not accepted, they can reapply the following year. Interested participants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Identifies as female*
- Is a high school junior or senior during program year
- Is interested in attending COD
- Is interested in pursuing a STEM field
- Can commit to a full year in the program (1-2 meetings monthly)
- Lives within COD District 502
- Has identified a high school STEM teacher who can recommend them for the program
Participants selected for this program will be matched with mentors based on their interests and preferences specified in the application. For a list of our STEM disciplines available at COD, visit the STEM Division.
Those who actively participate in the full mentorship program (one year) and attend COD within two years of completing the program may be eligible for a financial award ($1,000) to help support their studies at COD.
(Note: At this time, our program does not have mentors specific to the medical field or pre-med tracks. If you are interested in medicine or pre-med as a career path and are accepted into our program, you will be paired with a mentor from a traditional STEM discipline.)
How to Apply
Applications for the 2024/2025 school year have now closed. Please check back later for more information.
Why a Mentorship Program?
Research shows that connection with faculty/staff is a strong indicator for retention of all students, but especially for those in historically excluded groups (in this case, women in the STEM fields). By providing opportunities for potential incoming students to build trusting relationships with our STEM faculty, we are not only increasing chances for success of these students as they pursue their STEM education at COD, but we are also giving them the advantage of already having a network of support upon entering the community college environment.
Our Objective
To positively impact the social development and academic achievement of participating young women as they consider pursuing a STEM field at College of DuPage and to elevate the STEM profile of COD.
Program Goals
- Build relationships between mentors and mentees
- Positively impact the social development and academic achievement of participating young women as they consider pursuing a STEM field at College of DuPage
- Support and retain women in these programs by providing mentorship and networking before and during their educational pursuits at COD
- Develop cohorts of women participating in this program who can build relationships and establish a network of colleagues to turn to for support as they continue their STEM careers.
*The COD Women in STEM Initiative aims to provide an affirming and equitable environment for all employees, volunteers and workshop participants. Our Women in STEM programs are designed to serve those who identify as women and also welcome people who identify as non-binary or gender nonconforming who wish to be in a female-identified environment.
Photo and Video Policy
Attendees at COD Women in STEM Events agree to allow College of DuPage and its official photographers and videographers to photograph them in the context of the conference. Footage captured by COD's official photographers may be used in future print and electronic promotional and archival materials. Per speaker contract stipulations, not all events will allow photography and/or video recording.