Student Development

Women’s Leadership Program

Developed through the initiative of three Carnegie Mellon students, the Women's Leadership Program (WLP) is designed to empower and inspire undergraduate and graduate women in campus leadership roles. Through personal reflection and group discussion, participants are encouraged to explore their personal leadership styles and the ways in which they are affected or enhanced by gender. Sessions are designed to stimulate critical thinking and problem solving skills while providing opportunities for students to cultivate networks with other women in the campus community. WLP is open to women in all academic disciplines and participants are selected through a nomination process that occurs each fall.

WLP consists of a series of discussions over a five week period. Participation requires attendance at each of the sessions along with completion of selected readings in advance of session meetings to facilitate discussion. Session topics include:

  • The Meaning of Gender
  • Femininity and Masculinity in Context
  • Gender and its Impact on Leadership Style
  • What is a Women’s Issue?
  • Perfectionism as a Gender Construct

An integral part of WLP is the group dynamic of the women who share, grow, and network through this experience. During the spring 2007 semester, we hope to once again bring together a diverse group of women with varied leadership experience and academic and personal interests. If you would like to nominate a woman for this program, please email Helen Wang at . To submit a self-nomination, please complete an application and return to or 301 Warner Hall.

WLP is sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs. For more information, please contact Helen Wang at or 412-268-2075.