Nominations open for new Women of Color program

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Nominations are being sought for WOCHA—Women of Color, Honor and Ambition—a new program sponsored by RIT’s Office for Diversity and Inclusion.

WOCHA is open to young women of color in their second- through fifth-years of study at the university. It is a one-year initiative developed for historically underrepresented women in a predominately technical university to enhance leadership ability, build camaraderie, access mentorship and open networking opportunities.

Nomination forms are available online and are being accepted through April 20.

The program will consist of a series of monthly workshops offered by faculty, staff and community professionals focusing on leadership development, healthy lifestyles, financial literacy, Self-E (self-esteem and empowerment), and community engagement. The WOCHA program aims to create an inspiring vision of the future by developing a quality education and lifelong learning where women will explore, develop and share their skills, experiences and resources.

Other goals include encouraging a healthy lifestyle in mind, body and spirit that promotes meaningful dialogue between and among groups to increase the understanding of varied perspectives and the nature of a healthy lifestyle.

“WOCHA women will build a set of skills and knowledge that allow an individual to make informed and effective decisions with their financial resources by building connections with existing corporations and women-owned businesses to provide training opportunities,” said Sandy Whitmore, senior director of operations for RIT’s Office for Diversity and Inclusion. “While participating in the program, WOCHA students will increase their community engagement by spending time serving in the community meeting actual needs, learning and reflecting.”

For more information on WOCHA, please contact Whitmore at 585-475-5453 or go to the WOCHA: Women of Color, Honor and Ambition website.

Note: Those interested in nominating a female RIT student can fill out the nomination form and submit the nomination for review. Please note, not all nominees will be accepted into the program. Each nominee must accept the nomination and meet the program eligibility criteria. Students who will be second-year students by fall 2015 are eligible for application and nomination.