DU Develops Women Leaders

The Colorado Women’s College at the University of Denver has launched a new program to develop young women as leaders. This year marks the first year of the CWC Women’s Leadership Scholars Program. It aims to provide a multidisciplinary academic and co-curricular program for undergraduate women, beginning their first year at DU. With a preference for first-generation and underrepresented women, these scholars can receive an annual scholarship up to $7,500 each year.

The goal of the four-year program is to support and develop undergraduate women by focusing on leadership skills and workplace readiness that meet the demands for a more gender-inclusive 21st century. At the conclusion, students will receive a minor in leadership studies. The Women’s Leadership Scholars Program is being modeled after DU’s premier Pioneer Leadership Program (PLP).

“To be able to take the best of the leadership studies minor offered under PLP and expand it into a new area that more deeply supports women, is really fun,” says Linda Olson, interim dean of the Colorado Women’s College. Olson served as the director of PLP for 12 years.

This year’s cohort of scholars is made up of 13 students, all from Colorado high schools. The women also have a wide range of majors, from English and art to physics and computer science. Olson hopes to grow the program to 20 students a year. This is just one component of the new strategic vision of the Colorado Women’s College.

“I think this program fits really well with the original intent of the Women’s College, which was transforming women's education and advancement,” Olson says. “It aligns with our revised mission to support innovative approaches to women's life-long learning and leadership development in order to be self-sufficient participants, decision makers and social change leaders in all areas of society."

The application process is now beginning for the 2017 Women’s Leadership Scholars Program. For more information, click here.