What is the Women’s Leadership Council?
The Stony Brook University Women’s Leadership Council “WLC or Council,” is a mentoring program that pairs outstanding undergraduates with accomplished friends and alumni of the University. Founded in 2014, the Council seeks to create outstanding mentor and peer networks that will support the participants and enhance their achievements throughout their career.
The WLC is a highly selective program. Mentees are carefully selected for their academic potential, self-motivation, and commitment to success in their chosen field.
As much as possible, mentors and mentees are matched together on areas of interest and field of study. They work together to set goals, define a schedule for engagement, and build the mentees’ professional skills and network. The Council prides itself on its values of caring, kindness and honesty, with the goal of building impactful mentoring relationships.
Through the Council, mentees are exposed to the professional practices and business acumen needed to complement their academic training at Stony Brook. The Council also aims to provide access to exceptional and relevant internships and help forge professional connections. The program provides the student participants with the opportunities and social capital to succeed, enabling them to reach their full potential.
While at Stony Brook, students are part of the WLC for their junior and senior year. An expectation of the program is that graduates will become alumni leaders and mentors in their own right, forming their own professional networks and enhancing opportunities for SBU students of the future.
What are the programs offered for members of the Women’s Leadership Council?
Each year, the Council organizes enriching workshops and field trips. Past trips have included visits to The United Nations, The New York Stem Cell Foundation, Google and the Metropolitan Opera House. Examples of workshops include communicating effectively, networking and internship prep, financial literacy and strategic dining. The Council also organizes alumni/current member networking workshops.