WOCHA: Women of Color, Honor and Ambition | Diversity and Inclusion

Gena Willis
Assistant Director for Affinity Programs and Leadership Development

585-475-2635
gjwddi@rit.edu

Women of Color, Honor and Ambition is a one-year leadership development program with an emphasis on undergraduate women-identified, trans-feminine and non-binary students between their second and fifth academic years of study. The WOCHA program aims to create an inspiring vision of the future by enhancing leadership ability, building sisterhood, and providing access to professional mentoring and networking opportunities. Given educational disparities and underrepresentation in specific majors or careers WOCHA programming is designed through the lens of women of color in order to close those systemic gaps.

Students will participate in a series of monthly workshops offered by faculty, staff, and community leaders; foster a sense of community and bonding with each other and other women-identified role models of color through social outings; and support their health awareness and development through their participation in wellness activities. The WOCHA program is open to all eligible students regardless of gender or national origin.

Five Foundational Pillars of WOCHA

Community Engagement
Financial Literacy
Healthy Lifestyles
Leadership Development
Self-E (Self-Esteem and Self-Empowerment)

Goals

Create an inspiring vision of the future by developing lifelong learning where women will explore, develop and share their skills, experiences, and resources.
Encourage a healthy lifestyle in mind, body and spirit which promotes meaningful dialogue and self-reflection.
Build a set of skills and knowledge that allows an individual to make informed and effective decisions with their financial resources.
Create and sustain positive self-esteem and self-empowerment by proving opportunities to acknowledge overall self-worth and awareness.
Increase community engagement where students are immersed in the Rochester community.