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WILL (Women Involved in Living and Learning) is the first university
program in the U.S. to combine coursework in women, gender and sexuality
studies with leadership training for women students. WILL's
mission is to connect theory and practice, teaching students how to
apply insights from their coursework to leadership and action in support
of social change.
Program Created
In 1980, the WILL program was created at Westhampton College, the women's college at the University of Richmond, in response to scholarship demonstrating that the self-confidence of women students plummets in their college years and to studies advocating the benefits of single-sex educational experiences. Convinced that institutions of higher learning were not adequately responding to women's needs, Westhampton College developed the WILL program.
WILL Goals:
- To develop students' critical thinking, intellectual curiosity,
problem-solving and leadership skills
- To foster a deeper understanding of gender and its intersections
with race, culture, class, sexuality and other aspects of social
identity
- To increase awareness of inequities and of individual and
collective strategies to address these inequities
- To nurture students' self-awareness, self-confidence and personal growth
- To provide opportunities for women to explore career and life
choices
- To connect students with one another, to a strong and supportive
network of faculty, staff and community mentors, and to the vibrant
legacy of Westhampton College
The WILL program enhances women's collegiate experiences through a three-pronged approach:
In summary, every WILL student completes a minor in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, which includes a supervised internship, participates in the student organization, and attends women and gender-related programs over the course of a college tenure. Over four years, this cumulative experience is powerful. In the words of WILL graduate Allison Marsh: "WILL has helped me to think more analytically and critically, to challenge the status quo, and to question what we learn and why we learn it. I now have the confidence to speak out when I see something that is not right and I have learned a lot about how to inspire and lead."
Diverse Program
As one of the most diverse programs at the University of Richmond, WILL attracts a wide range of students. Through its recruitment and retention efforts, WILL works to maintain and increase diversity year after year. Diversity itself is broadly defined to include race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, and class. In addition, all perspectives and points of view are welcome.
National Recognition
The WILL program has received considerable national recognition for its inspired and integrative approach to women's education. As WILL graduate Malia Tee writes about her decision to attend the University of Richmond, "I was interested to be part of a university community that was on the cutting edge of women's education."
- 2003, 2001, 1999: Forty-three colleges and universities have attended a WILL Replication
Workshop, held at the University of Richmond, in order to learn how to create similar
programs on their campuses.
- 2001: National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Region III
Exemplary Program Award. The WILL program was selected by NASPA as one of
only 10 programs nationally and internationally described as "exemplary."
- 1997: ACE/N.I.P. National Network for Women Leaders in Higher Education Annual
Leadership Award.
- 1995: NASPA Region III The Innovative Program Award Honorable Mention.
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WILL
