AC 2007-2041: AN INTEGRATED LIVING AND LEARNING COMMUNITY FOR FIRST AND SECOND YEAR UNDERGRADUATE WOMEN IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

The Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Village combines a group living experience with resident, upper-class mentors who assist in the transition to university life. Programs for the WISE community are designed to promote academic success, foster the formation of lasting relationships with fellow students, professors and mentors, and provide out-of-classroom experiences. The WISE Village is a supportive environment in which women engage in focused inquiry within their disciplines and develop the skills and talents necessary to become successful students and professionals in STEM fields. When the WISE Village began in 2003, it was as a partnership with University Housing, the College of Engineering (COE), and the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (PAMS). The Village has since expanded to include the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), the College of Natural Resources (CNR) and the College of Textiles (COT) and has grown from 56 participants in 2003 to 250 participants this academic year 2006-07. Currently, 60% of the women are freshmen, 35% are sophomores and 5% are juniors (mentors). This paper will present an update on the WISE Village, a review of the program’s goals, in terms of assessment results from the first three years, and a discussion of the evolving plans of the Village, including the implementation of a sophomore track within the program.