Leadership Initiatives for Women of Color
Leadership Initiatives for Women of Color (LIWOC) serves undergraduate and graduate students of color at The Ohio State University who aspire to be leaders.
LIWOC is now accepting applications.
Student Benefits
- Membership in a like-minded community
- Networking opportunities
- Priority access to mentorship from corporate and industry partners
- LIWOC program swag, gifts, and three-day off-site retreat
Features of the Program
- Cross-disciplinary discussion with Ohio State students and scholars
- Seminars and workshops on leadership skills such as team-building, time management, problem solving, and financial literacy
- Interviews with Ohio area business owners and social leaders
Eligibility
LIWOC-Undergraduate: The program is open to women of color undergraduate Columbus campus students with second-year status or 24 credits
LIWOC-Professional/Graduate: This program is designed for Ohio State women of color students who are in good academic standing in MA/MS, PhD, MFA, JD, MD and other graduate or professional programs
Mission
To prepare women of color to be transformative change agents in the classroom, community, or future C-Suite
Vision
- To contribute to retaining talented women of color students through graduation at Ohio State
- To offer students high-impact practices to ensure successful leadership in academic, career, and civic settings
- To support students in navigating the structure and practices of the academy while maintaining control over their destinies
- To encourage undergraduate students to pursue advanced degrees and entrepreneurship
- To encourage doctoral and professional students to pursue post-graduate careers at colleges and universities, including as staff, faculty and administrators, to enhance diversity in higher education
- To enhance Ohio State's outreach and engagement with women of color alumnae, businessowners, and social leaders
- To provide an opportunity for women of color to develop community and create a sense of belonging
Values
Excellence, Intellectual Curiosity, Social Responsibility, Empowerment, Collaboration, and Sense of Belonging
Co-Directors
Dr. Jacquelyn C.A. Meshelemiah
Associate Vice Provost
Office of Diversity and Inclusion
2nd Floor, Hale Hall
154 W. 12th Avenue
Meshelemiah.1@osu.edu
Dr. Andreá N. Williams
Director
The Women's Place
3rd Floor, Hale Hall
154 W. 12th Avenue
Williams.2941@osu.edu
Dr. Tanisha L. Jenkins
Associate Vice President
Belonging and Inclusion
Office of Student Life
3rd Floor, Ohio Union
Jenkins.622@osu.edu
Ladies of Leadership
Ladies of Leadership is a student organization under the auspices of Leadership Initiatives for Women of Color. The women in this group provide upper-level undergraduate women an opportunity to mentor incoming women of color in reaching their academic and leadership aspirations. Embracing a strengths-based approach, the Ladies of Leadership create a supportive environment that fosters academic success, interpersonal growth and networking opportunities.