A new program at EKU will offer a "tremendous opportunity" for female students.

Women Involved in Living and Learning (WILL) was established to "provide a supportive learning community, a community in which students learn about the particular challenges women have faced and continue to face and at the same time develop strong leadership skills they will use in their careers and their communities," said Dr. Isabelle White, director of EKU's Women's Studies Program. "A major strength of this program is that it is being developed cooperatively by Women's Studies, an academic program, and Student Affairs, so that it can integrate academics and campus life."

The WILL Program will begin with a small group of current students in the Spring 2002 semester and expand to include new students in subsequent semesters, according to White. For more information, call 859-622-2089 or e-mail WILL@eku.edu.

"Studies indicate that women have different college experiences than men and require different support systems to foster academic and personal success," White said. "The WILL program provides female students with positive women role models, a greater understanding of the gender issues in our society, an outstanding opportunity to develop strong leadership skills in a nurturing environment and an avenue to foster collegial relationships and bonds with other female students and staff."

The WILL program will include coursework in Women's Studies, gender-related programs outside the classroom, a student-run leadership organization and an opportunity to reside in a WILL residential living-learning community. Each WILL student will complete a minimum of 12 credit hours of Women's Studies courses, many of which simultaneously fulfill other University requirements.

In addition, WILL students will enjoy numerous lectures, workshops, panels, plays and musical performances that address gender issues and have the opportunity to meet the speakers and performers to discuss their lives, work and ideas.

"These co-curricular events complement students' classroom learning," White said, "and link academic experience to what goes on outside of the class."

All WILL students will belong to a student organization that offers formal and informal opportunities for leadership. Monthly meetings, committees and an elected executive board will allow members to participate actively in the organization.

WILL students will have the option to live in a section of an EKU residence hall designated for them.

Students will be selected for WILL based on intellectual curiosity, an interest in learning about issues concerning women and gender, and leadership potential. Once in the program, students will be assigned a WILL faculty/staff mentor with whom they will meet on the regular basis.