The WILL program from a Student's Point
of View:
Let me tell you about the WILL program.
E.K.U. Women's Studies offers a program designed to promote the academic,
personal and professional success of women--the Women Involved in Living
and Learning program. We are thrilled to learn of your interest in the
WILL program and believe that you, as a student, will benefit from and
contribute to the program.
Through WILL you will interact with women who are leaders in their fields
while acquiring an understanding of how gender influences our society.
Your coursework in Women's Studies will help you develop your academic
skills and teach you about the biases and assumptions that will affect
your life simply because you are a woman. Social and academic activities
planned just for you will help you to build relationships with other women
who share your interests, your ambitions and your desire to make a difference
in whatever work you pursue.
First, women who join the program complete coursework in Women's Studies
that qualifies them to earn a Certificate in Women's Studies. The certificate
requirements include Women's Studies 201, Introduction to Women's Studies.
WMS 201 is being offered this spring, 2006. We encourage you to enroll.
The follow-up class is Women's Studies 400, Feminist Theory. This is a
fine-tuning class where students learn a variety of theoretical ideologies
within which personal perspectives find a place to blossom. The certificate
is a twelve hour requirement. The remaining six hours are taken as either
electives or can be cross-listed with approved classes in your major.
To learn more about the class work please visit the Women's Studies website:
www.womensstudies.eku.edu. There you will find course descriptions of
those already cross-listed and a list of those being offered next spring.
As a member you will be paired with a faculty mentor, one who works in
the department of your major and can guide you toward success in your
field. This is truly one of the most wonderful parts of the program as
many women face difficulties entering some professions and the mentor
will have well prepared you for any hurdles you may face. Working in this
way with a faculty mentor allows for a personal relationship that more
often than not, last beyond your college years. Her expertise and experience
is a vital part of the WILL experience and will benefit your academic,
personal and professional life.
Another aspect of the program is the extracurricular activities sponsored
by WILL and Women's Studies. These activities include plays, outings,
dinners, movies, and all sorts of things designed to allow you to build
relationships with other women who share your interests, your ambitions
and your desire to make a difference in whatever work you pursue. These
activities are jointly sponsored and we ask for student input in planning.
This means that you help determine what each semester has to offer.
We invite you to become a part of the WILL program on our campus. Aside
from the classroom, personal and social activities, a residence hall community
extends an invitation to you. A sister of the WILL program, WITT (Women
Involved in Today and Tomorrow) maintains a residence floor in Walter's
Hall for university women interested in women's issues. Each month WILL
and Women's Studies hosts programs designed around the concerns of the
women residing in the community, boosting interactions among a wide variety
of women.
I encourage you to participate in the program. I can personally say,
it changed my life in wonderful ways and has encouraged me to expand my
dreams and my goals because I now know I can succeed at anything. This
is Women's Studies and this is WILL. We all hope to hear from you soon
when we will begin the matching process for a mentor.
Feel free to contact me directly at 859-622-2913 if you want a student
perspective of the WILL experience. Our director, Marta Miranda, is also
exceptionally warm and friendly and will serve as your Women's Studies
advisor. Don't hesitate to e-mail any questions to her: marta.miranda@eku.edu.
Thank you for your interest. We look forward to working with you.
--Jennifer Thomas
WILL Member
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