Next Scholars
The Next Scholars Program is an exciting mentorship program that pairs female undergraduates with women in STEM fields through an online learning platform. As a Next Scholar, you can access cutting-edge content to help you develop essential 21st century skills, and advance your computer science (CS) literacy—all at your own pace.
In addition to one-to-one mentoring and online coursework, participants have access to a virtual community of hundreds of professional women working in STEM fields. You can tap into this network for valuable advice, summer internships, post-baccalaureate opportunities and career openings that are available to women in CS and STEM.
THE THREE PILLARS OF THE PROGRAM ARE:
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“I have always had wonderful, inspiring mentors and I would like to do the same for the current generation. Mentoring is reciprocal and I gain so much more than I give. I feel inspired by the energy, enthusiasm and drive of current STEM students. I also gain new perspectives from my mentees and I am reminded of my passion for the sciences.”
— Natasha Emmanuel, PhD, Mentor
The Next Scholars Program is an exciting mentorship program that pairs professional women in STEM fields with female undergraduates in the U.S. through an online learning platform. Mentors guide their mentees in the development of 21st century skills such as communication, leadership, and critical thinking, to help them become the next generation of STEM leaders. Mentors develop their coaching skills, get access to a global network of STEM professionals, and receive a complimentary one-year Membership to the New York Academy of Sciences.
WHO CAN APPLY?
To be eligible to become a mentor you must be:
- A self-identified female graduate student, academic, or STEM professional from anywhere in the world
- A graduate of a U.S.-based college or university, or currently enrolled in a U.S.-based graduate program
- Comfortable communicating in English
- Able to regularly access the internet
- Able to participate in the program for one year
- Excited about having a STEM mentee!
BENEFITS FOR MENTORS IN THE NEXT SCHOLARS PROGRAM:
- You'll hone your coaching and leadership skills as you inspire a young woman in STEM
- You'll help bridge the gender gap for the next generation of women in STEM
- You'll receive a one-year complimentary Membership to the New York Academy of Sciences, with free digital access to Academy publications and discounted registration for 100+ events and webinars
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME IF I'M ACCEPTED AS A MENTOR?
Participating mentors are asked to complete a short, online orientation on our platform and commit to a minimum of two monthly check-ins with their mentee.
HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?
The application portal for the 2016-2017 year is currently closed, but if you’d like to be informed when recruiting for the 2017-2018 year begins, please visit our Mentor Opportunities page, click on the NOTIFY ME button, and select the box for “Women & Girls.”
THE HISTORY OF THE NEXT SCHOLARS PROGRAM
The 2017 Next Scholars program is a re-launch of the NeXXt Scholars Program, which was developed in 2011 by the New York Academy of Sciences in partnership with the U.S. Department of State and a consortium of women's colleges. The original program aimed to engage, connect, and encourage young women from countries with predominantly Muslim populations as well as young American women to pursue undergraduate STEM degrees. The Academy provided partnership, mentorship, and networking support for these Scholars (mentees) by way of a group of selected female STEM Fellows (mentors).
Then-U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the creation of the NeXXt Scholars Initiative at the Academy's Celebrating Women in Science event on December 10, 2011.
QUESTIONS?
Contact us at nextscholars@nyas.org
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“NYAS provided me with a long list of possible mentors matched to my interests and skills using an algorithm. As I started reading about each possible mentor, I was so impressed by their accomplishments, in academia and their careers. My mentor is incredibly enthusiastic and supportive and I’m so happy I can reach out to her for advice!”
— Dessie DiMino, Mentee
The Next Scholars Program is an exciting mentoring program that pairs female undergraduates with professional women in STEM fields through an online learning platform. As a mentee, you will get a personal 1:1 mentor, join a virtual community of hundreds of your peers, and access cutting-edge content to help you develop essential 21st century skills and advance your computer science (CS) literacy—all at your own pace. You will also receive a complimentary one-year Membership to the New York Academy of Sciences.
THE THREE PILLARS OF THE PROGRAM ARE:
WHO CAN APPLY?
To be eligible to become a mentee, you must be:
- A first-year or second-year undergraduate student who self-identifies as female
- Currently enrolled at a U.S.-based college or university
- Planning to major or minor in one or more STEM areas of study
- Comfortable communicating in English
- Able to regularly access the internet
- Able to participate in the program for one year
- Excited about having a STEM mentor!
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME IF I’M ACCEPTED AS A MENTEE IN THE PROGRAM?
In addition to a minimum of two monthly check-ins with your mentor, you will be asked to complete online modules in various areas of skill development at your own pace.
BENEFITS FOR MENTEES IN THE NEXT SCHOLARS PROGRAM:
- You’ll develop leadership, communication, and critical thinking skills to promote career readiness
- You’ll gain access to a valuable network of peers and female STEM professionals through our online forums
- You’ll be invited to online engagement events (webinars and online discussions) with notable women leaders in STEM
- You’ll have the opportunity to attend the Global STEM Alliance Summit at the New York Academy of Sciences in July 2017
HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?
The application portal for the 2016-2017 year is currently closed, but if you’d like to be informed when recruiting for the 2017-2018 year begins, please visit our Student Opportunities page, click on the NOTIFY ME button, and select the box for “Women & Girls.
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SPONSOR
The Next Scholars Program is made possible by a grant from the Infosys Foundation USA in pursuit of its mission to bridge the digital divide and empower underrepresented students and educators to become creators of technology.
