CRA Distributed Mentor Project

Mentor Project for Undergraduate Females in Computer Science and Engineering

The Computing Research Association's Distributed Mentor Project brings together, for a summer of research, undergraduate females in computer science and computer engineering (CS&E) and female professors at research institutions.

The intent of the mentor program, which is funded by the National Science Foundation, is to increase the number of women entering graduate school in CS&E. Because of the limited number of female researchers in CS&E who can serve as role models and mentors, undergraduates are brought directly to the professors' institutions. Alternatively, a student and mentor from the same institution may apply together.

Students will be involved in research, learn how a research university operates, meet graduate students and professors and get a chance to observe a successful female researcher up close. It is an invaluable experience for any female student who is considering applying to graduate school. The program helps the student decide which graduate schools might be right for her and boosts her chance of acceptance at those schools.

A committee will examine the applications and select at least 20 student/professor matches for funding. Notification of matches will be given by March 13, 1998.

Funding for the student consists of $450 per week of research, plus travel assistance. A student's funding is intended to cover 10 weeks of research in the summer of 1998, but alternative arrangements are possible. Mentors and their universities receive no funding. However, students and mentors who participate in the program may apply for limited funding to assist them in attending a conference after the summer of research.

Mentors and students will be given training packages on mentoring and will participate in an electronic discussion group. This will provide additional mentoring opportunities while distributing the load among mentors. It will establish cohesiveness among all participants and is intended to be a source of support for mentors and students.

Applicants should be female undergraduates (US citizens or permanent residents) at a US college or university who are seriously considering graduate studies in CS&E. First consideration will be given to sophomores and juniors who have completed two or three years by the summer of 1998. However, first-year students with the skills needed for research, as well as seniors considering graduate school, may also apply.

For more online information and application procedures for students and professors contact http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~condon/mentor/. For questions regarding the Mentor Project please contact:

Professor Anne Condon
Computer Sciences Department
University of Wisconsin
1210 W. Dayton St.
Madison, WI 53706-1685
telephone: (608) 262-3158
fax: (608) 262-9777
email: condon@cs.wisc.edu

For printed brochures contact info@cra.org or mail to:
Computing Research Association
1100 Seventeenth Street NW Suite 507
Washington, DC 20036