Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
STEM
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
STEM

WiSE Launches Pilot Career Preparation Program

Sunday, October 25, 2020, By News Staff
Share
Diversity and InclusionResearch and CreativeWomen in Science and Engineering
Zoom video meeting with rows of participants

Amplifying Your Voice: Strategies for “Talking Back” with Professor Charisse L’Pree on Oct. 8

Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) has developed a new pilot program for women of color in STEM sophomores and juniors at the University. The Career Preparation Program (CPP) aims to provide these students with opportunities and resources for developing a roadmap for academic and career success.

Sixteen students (called CPP associates) were selected from self or faculty nominations in September for the 2020-2021 pilot. Jazmine Richardson, an associate studying biotechnology and African American studies, says, “I decided to participate in CPP because I knew this program would strengthen my professional skills and interpersonal skills while joining such a supportive group of women! Since joining this program, I have learned more about myself and my peers, and I look forward to what the next few months bring!”

CPP associates attend WiSE events that foster early career preparation and skill building, as well as networking with peers and mentoring from graduate students and faculty.

For example, multiple associates attended the WiSE Women of Color in STEM event with Professor Charisse L’Pree on Oct. 8 that included helpful strategies in how to advocate for oneself in professional and personal settings. Building community and a strong sense of belonging in STEM are also key CPP components.

Associates will receive a certificate and small stipend in late spring/summer upon completion of five credits (obtained through program attendance), and submission of an early portfolio package for faculty review.

The CPP format is based on the successful WiSE Future Professionals Program (WiSE-FPP) for women graduate students in STEM, offered since 2007. This year, WiSE-FPP has its largest cohort with 55 participants.

Dawn Johnson, chair of higher education and associate professor, serves as lead faculty advisor for CPP and WiSE Women of Color in STEM programming.

“As we enter our sixth year, we are excited to offer women of color the opportunity for deeper engagement with WiSE Women of Color in STEM, particularly as the pandemic prompts new ways of engaging with students. Research on women of color in STEM indicates that they are less likely to receive career support and mentoring, which intensifies the isolation and discrimination they often experience in their majors,” Johnson says.

“CPP creates opportunities for women of color to build community and a sense of belonging as they develop academic, professional, and interpersonal excellence. Mentoring by graduate women of color in STEM is a critical part of the program so the CPP Associates have support and encouragement from people who relate to their experiences and model how to pursue graduate study in STEM. CPP builds on long-standing WiSE partnerships with faculty and many offices on campus to retain and empower women of color in STEM majors,” she says.

For more information about CPP, WiSE Women of Color in STEM, and other WiSE initiatives, please visit suwise.syr.edu or contact Program Director Sharon Alestalo and Program Support Coordinator Amanda Latreille at suwise@syr.edu.

  • Author

News Staff

  • Recent
  • Arts and Sciences Hosts Inaugural Scholarship and Research Gala
    Friday, May 9, 2025, By Sean Grogan
  • Chancellor Kent Syverud Honored as Distinguished Citizen of the Year at 57th Annual ScoutPower Event
    Thursday, May 8, 2025, By News Staff
  • New Maymester Program Allows Student-Athletes to Develop ‘Democracy Playbook’
    Thursday, May 8, 2025, By Wendy S. Loughlin
  • From Policy to Practice: How AI is Shaping the Future of Education
    Thursday, May 8, 2025, By Christopher Munoz
  • Kohn, Wiklund, Wilmoth Named Distinguished Professors
    Thursday, May 8, 2025, By Wendy S. Loughlin

More In STEM

Chloe Britton Naime Committed to Advocating for Improved Outcomes for Neurodivergent Individuals

Chloe Britton Naime ’25 is about to complete a challenging and rare dual major program in both mechanical engineering from the College of Engineering and Computer Science and neuroscience from the College of Arts and Sciences. Even more impressive? Britton…

Graduating Research Quartet Synthesizes Long-Lasting Friendships Through Chemistry

When Jesse Buck ’25, Isabella Chavez Miranda ’25, Lucy Olcott ’25 and Morgan Opp ’25 started as student researchers in medicinal chemist Robert Doyle’s lab, they hoped to hone their research skills. It quickly became evident this would be unlike…

Biologist Reveals New Insights Into Fish’s Unique Attachment Mechanism

On a wave-battered rock in the Northern Pacific Ocean, a fish called the sculpin grips the surface firmly to maintain stability in its harsh environment. Unlike sea urchins, which use their glue-secreting tube feet to adhere to their surroundings, sculpins…

Distinguished ECS Professor Pramod K. Varshney Establishes Endowed Faculty Fellowship

Distinguished Professor Pramod K. Varshney has exemplified Orange excellence since joining the University as a 23-year-old faculty member. A world-renowned researcher and educator, he’s been recognized for his seminal contributions to information fusion and related fields, introducing new, innovative courses…

Earth Day Spotlight: The Science Behind Heat Pumps (Video)

Peter Wirth has a two-fold strategy when it comes to renovating his home. The Brooklyn, New York, native has called Central New York home for more than 40 years. Nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac in Fayetteville, New York, the 1960s-era…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.