By Ramona Cheng, Zoë Gipson Vines, and Maggie Sowder | Photos by Emma Gorbe and Zoë Gipson Vines
Navigating the complexities of STEM fields as a gender-minoritized student often means balancing the demands of rigorous academic work with the challenge of exploring one’s identity, building leadership skills, and cultivating confidence. At the Women in Science and Engineering Residence Program (WISE RP), one way we seek to address this is the WISE RP Summer Scholars Program. Students are provided with financial and mentoring resources and professional development opportunities to support a research or internship project over the summer. Our efforts are focused on our core tenets of exploring identity in STEM Contexts, cultivating critical leadership, and building STEM efficacy.
Exploring identity in STEM contexts
Success in STEM isn’t just about mastering equations or lab protocols—it’s about understanding oneself in a broader context. WISE RP’s focus on exploring identity through the lens of social location—how aspects like gender, race, class, and ability intersect with one’s experiences—helps students critically examine who they are and how they show up in STEM spaces.
For Jessica Kaczor, a two-time Summer Scholar, the program offered not only research opportunities but also a space to reflect on her role in STEM.
'"The program has tremendously helped me gain a better sense of my place on the University of Michigan campus. It helped me gain a greater perspective on my capabilities as a woman in STEM," she said.
This understanding of identity, rooted in self-reflection and shared experiences, empowers students like Jessica to navigate STEM disciplines with authenticity and resilience.
Cultivating critical leadership
WISE RP challenges students to think critically about leadership—not as a role reserved for a select few but as a skill set that anyone can develop. By interrogating traditional perceptions of leadership, students in the Summer Scholars Program discover how to practice leadership in various contexts.
Samantha Paris found that leadership was about more than academic success—it was about community.
"Being part of a community of people who were equally passionate about academics and research was incredibly inspiring and motivating. The support from faculty, especially during challenging moments, was invaluable," she shared.
Samantha’s experience reflects the power of mentorship and peer support in fostering leadership that centers empathy, collaboration, and perseverance.
Building STEM efficacy
Confidence in STEM begins with belief in one’s own abilities. The Summer Scholars Program provides students with opportunities to engage in meaningful academic pursuits while offering the financial and professional support necessary to thrive. For many students, this combination of experiential learning and structured support cultivates a sense of agency and self-efficacy.
For Aditri Gokul, the program allowed her to focus on research without financial stress, giving her the freedom to immerse herself fully in her lab work.
"Summer Scholars allowed me to make the most out of my summer on campus. I got to do research, meet other Summer Scholars, and participate in activities and professional development opportunities. It was a great experience that I’d love to do again," she said.
Similarly, Marisa Rose highlighted the importance of connection in boosting her confidence:
"The Summer Scholar experience helped me feel less alone throughout the summer and realize the network I had of people going through the same things as me."
WISE RP’s impact: from summer to success
The Summer Scholars Program is more than just a summer opportunity—it’s a launchpad for leadership, belonging, and success within WISE RP, U‑M, and beyond. Events like the WISE Night: Summer Scholar Symposium embody these themes by connecting scholars with peers, mentors, and the broader WISE RP community, all while reinforcing the program’s core tenets.
Mad Lindsey shared how the Summer Scholars experience not only supported their skill development but also deepened their exploration of research interests:
“As a first-generation student, it was incredible to talk to experienced people in a field I'm interested in. I have always been passionate about sustainability and working in this lab opened my eyes to the possibilities within the field of sustainability in chemical engineering….These skills will be extremely beneficial to me in the future regarding classes, research/internships, and jobs. Because of this scholarship, I was able to make connections with wonderful people and gain more insight into the type of field I would like to pursue in the future.”
As WISE RP students continue to explore their identities, develop leadership skills, and build STEM efficacy, the Summer Scholars Program remains a powerful example of how support and community can shape futures.
This Giving Blueday, your contributions can help ensure that more students like Jessica, Samantha, Aditri, Marisa, and Mad have access to the resources and opportunities they need to become the leaders STEM urgently needs.
