Program lets IU women interact, network through science

The IU Women in Science Program is working to initiate communication and networking lines for women studying the sciences through mentor relationships, panel discussions and fellowship programs. \nWISP was started in 1993 by the Office for Women's Affairs and the Chancellor's office as a result of a conference at IU sponsored by Women in Science and Engineering. At the conference, attendees discussed the lack of representation at universities for women students and faculty in science, math and engineering.\nWISP tries to "make a conscientious effort to provide a supportive academic environment (for women) in the sciences," WISP programming coordinator Kimberly Mealy said.\nFor example, the group tries to provide female role models in the sciences by bringing successful women scientists to IU with the Distinguished Visiting Scholars program. The scholars visit for a week and give lectures and seminars and attend social gatherings, according to the WISP Web site.\nThe Distinguished Visiting Scholars program opens up the lines of networking with professionals for many students, Mealy said.\nA big aspect of the group is the mentoring relationships it sets up in which junior, senior and graduate science students mentor freshmen and sophomores studying science. \nThe matching process for the mentors and mentees is intricate, said Mindy Criser, WISP development and communication coordinator. Organizers try to make the most compatible match between applicants.\nSenior Nicole Hayhow, a geography major, said she has benefited from the mentoring program. \nShe said she and her mentee get together and talk about school and other issues. \nHayhow said WISP has allowed her to get to know other women in the sciences.\n"It is a nice way to meet other people," she said.\nHayhow said she enjoyed the WISP open houses as well, because they are a way to informally get together with other science majors. \nHayhow helped with WISP's recent Research Day, which featured research posters displayed by women studying sciences. Events such as this one give students practice in presenting original research in a conference setting, like they might in the real world, Mealy said. There were 24 participants in the event, and four monetary prizes were awarded -- two to undergraduates and two to graduate students.\n WISP also offers fellowships for women who will pursue a doctorates in science or mathematics. The undergraduate program is called the Science Undergraduate Research Fellowship, and currently 13 women are researching with IU faculty. \nThe WISP Graduate Fellowship, sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences and the Office for Women's Affairs, gives 23 fellows the chance to work with professors in the sciences at IU.\n"Studies show that those who have worked with faculty tend to do better in reaching their goals," Mealy said.\nNew this semester for the group is a one-on-one tutoring program that is free.\n"(The tutoring program) is another way to try to achieve the goals that were set out," Mealy said.\nThe group also has a Student Advisory Board where 10 students involved in the group can voice their opinions on WISP issues. \nWISP hopes to hold monthly brown bag lunches next year to give another opportunity for women in the sciences -- including students and faculty -- to meet, Criser said.