August 11, 2003

First-Year Women Students Get WISE

One of the ideals of a university is a sense of intellectual community within its borders. When universities were smaller, students of like interests lived and learned together naturally. Today large universities such as NC State University have so many students and offer such a wide range of majors that the sense of intellectual community can become diluted.

Dr. Laura J. Bottomley, adjunct assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and coordinator of the Women in Engineering (WIE) and Outreach Programs for the College of Engineering at NC State, would like to reclaim the advantages of this kind of community for women entering NC State in the colleges of Engineering and Physical and Mathematical Sciences (PAMS). Bottomley is part of a team working to institute a new living-and-learning program for fall 2003.

The Women In Science and Engineering (WISE) living-and-learning community is the brainchild of Dr. Sarah A. Rajala, professor of electrical and computer engineering and associate dean for research and graduate programs for the College of Engineering; Dr. Jo-Ann D. Cohen, professor of mathematics and associate dean of academic affairs for PAMS; and Susan C. Grant, associate director of university housing.

According to Bottomley, “WISE will be a group of about 80 first-year women from PAMS and the College of Engineering. They will live in a unit in Lee Residence Hall on the NC State campus.”

WISE will provide an enriched educational experience for the participants. Upper-class mentors, who are also women majoring in engineering or science, will live with the first-year students in the WISE village to help introduce the women to their disciplines. Supplementary learning activities will include a special orientation to campus, a speaker series and dinners with women professionals in science and engineering; exploration of career options through industry tours and seminars; opportunities to participate in research experiences, undergraduate research, cultural trips and community service; and social activities. Supplemental instruction in core mathematics and science courses will be available to facilitate academic success. WISE village will include an on-site library and community rooms where students can gather.

Bottomley hopes this program will aid in the success of women entering science and engineering at NC State and potentially attract more students. “This is a remarkable partnership among PAMS, Engineering and University Housing that has led to an exciting opportunity,” she said. “We hope to expand the program next year to include the College of Natural Resources, the College of Textiles and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.”

— rudd —

See also http://www.ncsu.edu/news/press_releases/03_08/234.htm.

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