WOCHA: Women of Color, Honor and Ambition

Women of Color, Honor and Ambition is a one-year program open to all students going into their second through fifth years of study. The WOCHA program aims to create an inspiring vision of the future by enhancing leadership ability, building sisterhood, and providing access to professional mentoring and networking opportunities. The WOCHA program is open to all students regardless of sex, gender, gender identity, race, color, and/or national origin.

The program consists of a series of monthly workshops offered by faculty, staff, and community professionals focusing on leadership development, healthy lifestyles, financial literacy, Self-E (self-esteem and empowerment), and community engagement.

Five Foundational Pillars of WOCHA

  • Community Engagement
  • Financial Literacy
  • Healthy Lifestyles
  • Leadership Development
  • Self-E (Self-Esteem and Self-Empowerment)

Goals

  • Create an inspiring vision of the future by developing lifelong learning where women will explore, develop and share their skills, experiences, and resources.
  • Encourage a healthy lifestyle in mind, body and spirit which promotes meaningful dialogue and self-reflection.
  • Build a set of skills and knowledge that allows an individual to make informed and effective decisions with their financial resources.
  • Create and sustain positive self-esteem and self-empowerment by proving opportunities to acknowledge overall self-worth and awareness.
  • Increase community engagement where students are immersed in the Rochester community.

97%

Retention rate over the course of three years among women in years 2-5.

100%

Graduation rate of the seniors each year over the past three years.

93%

Number of participants who report having a productive relationship with their mentors.

97%

Number of participants who report growing as a leader and being able to speak in public confidently after the program.

Eligibility

  • Grade Point Average: 2.5 minimum required
  • Complete ALL sections of the WOCHA application
  • A personal commitment to attend ALL WOCHA sessions

WOW Council

The purpose of the WOCHA Council is provide insight, inspiration and support to the WOCHA Cohort and program.

Candi Boston

Director Alumni Relations, Diversity Engagement
Alumni and Constituent Relations
University Advancement
585-475-4279

Pamela Christopher

Senior Employment Advisor
Co-op and Career Center
National Technical Institute for the Deaf
585-475-6433

Natasha Rogers-Dailey

Senior Staff Accountant
Partnerships - SSC
Finance and Administration
585-475-7013

Venessa Mitchell

Director of ECCO and Student Programs Coordinator
Dean’s Office
Kate Gleason College of Engineering
585-475-2162

Katrina Overby

Assistant Professor
School of Communication
College of Liberal Arts
585-475-2098

Melissa Aponte

Assistant Dean of Students
Dean’s Office
College of Engineering Technology
585-475-7852