|
Women
hold all student leadership positions on campus, whether on College
Government or one of the 160 student organizations. Wellesley also
offers enormous opportunities in research and internship experience.
Wellesley
students are intellectually curious, motivated, and adventurous.
They are also bold, inspiring, and fun. At
Wellesley you have extraordinary opportunities to participate in
nearly every level of decision making through student government.
In addition, student representatives sit on important College committees
and are actively involved in making decisions. Among these committees
are the Board of Trustees, the Board of Admission, Financial Aid
Committee, the Committee on Curriculum and Instruction, and the
Committee on Budget and Finance.
After graduation, many assume leadership roles in business, science,
philanthropy, government, education, medicine, and law. For many,
the character and skill needed to carry out these roles are honed
and expanded while at Wellesley.
|
| |
|
|
|
All students
are welcome to attend Class Council meetings, which meet every other
week. Pictured above are members of the 2004 Class Council Executive
Board.
|
| |
 |
| |
"On
so many levels Wellesley empowers. I was shy in high school. My heart
would start pounding if I had to give a presentation. But at Wellesley
you're encouraged to speak out; almost immediately you're pushed out
in front. There is an expectation that you will be a leader. Wellesley
is all about its students - not the endowment or trustees and alumnae.
Students are there to remind everyone about what's important. I soon
learned that student voice is a necessary part of college. If there's
a difficult problem, we do something about it. We can effect change."
Hanna '03 |
| |
"I
think it's pretty unique to Wellesley that I could get elected secretary-treasure
of College Government as a first-year student. It's also unusual that
I had the confidence to do that. Wellesley has turned me into a different
person. Wellesley is bringing out the joiner and leader in me, and
it's giving me a chance to follow my dream. I want to grow up and
go into politics, and probably go to law school first. I'm really
interested in the world that goes on around me. I also love to debate
the issues. When I am looking to debate, there is always someone knowledgeable
to discuss the issue. I had friends in high school and most of them
did not want to discuss, for example, what was happening in the Middle
East. Going to college is like a brand new start."
Sarah '05
|
| |
 |
 |
| Leadership
opportunities extend throughout and beyond campus.In the above left
photo, students gather on campus at Harambee House, the cultural center
for students of African descent. In the above right photo Wellesley
volunteers assist at a school in Costa Rica. |
| |
|
"As
a first-year mentor, I meet weekly with a small group of first-year
students to address topics that span the spectrum from serious to
frivolous. For example, in the fall we organize a three-hour discussion
with faculty so students can ask any questions they want. We discuss
what the Honor Code means and help students choose their academic
advisors. In addition, we're open to any topic - including the location
of the best ice cream in Boston or how to meet guys. During the
fall semester each mentor group has weekly meetings for questions
and information that is helpful for first years. So, some first-year
mentors watch "Friends" together with their mentor group
every Thursday night. I hold "office hours" at Cafe Hoop
each week. (Having a budget for snacks is great!). I've enjoyed
the responsibility of this leadership position and hope to do it
again next year."
Meredith '05
|
| |
|
"I
didn't think I needed female environment. I felt empowered
enough. But Wellesley does make you acutely aware of what you take
for granted. In many schools you're likely to see males as presidents
and in many leadership positions. Here women run the college government,
the labs, radio stations, dorms, organizations . . . everything.
"Professors
say 'she,' not 'he.' There's something in the way Wellesley women
carry themselves. They are direct; they stand up and have a take
charge attitude. When I was at a Native American and Black History
conference at Dartmouth, someone made a controversial comment. A
woman grabbed the mike and responded articulately and convincingly.
I was convinced she was a Wellesley woman, and she was."
Adria '03
|
 |

|
Abigail '06 (pictured above on the Academic Quad and with friends)
is a political activist on Middle Eastern issues. As a first-year
student she founded and served as a board member of Wellesley Friends
of Israel. This leadership role forces her to confront sensitive issues
all the time. For example, should a person with a controversial point
of view be allowed to address the student body? And if so, how does
one ensure that nobody takes offense or gets the impression that the
College is endorsing divisive views? |
|
|
|
"By
coming to Wellesley I gained a lot of independence. I think I've
changed a lot as a person, and I think this time will form a great
basis for my life."
Maya '04
|
 |
"Wellesley
gives you the 'place' to put your ideas to use. Students have a lot
of control and can make their own way in the College. I'm involved
in chamber music, and typically we had only end-of-the-year recitals.
I started the Performance Club, where we perform in Jewett Auditorium
on Sunday nights. You feel comfortable trying out new things in an
informal atmosphere. If it doesn't work out it doesn't matter. I had
a difficult piece with fast runs but kept performing there before
the final concert. It made a huge difference. I do much better when
I'm acclimated. That Wellesley is an all women's school makes you
have faith in yourself. It gives you a lot of strength. You say, 'What's
to stop me?'"
Alexandra '03
|
| "Wellesley
has been a huge influence in molding my 'mission.' I have received
tremendous amounts of financial and institutional support from the
College, which made it possible to have the multitude of enriching
curricular and extracurricular experiences that I have had. I really
feel that I am emerging after four years having grown intellectually,
personally, and in spirit. I would like to thank Wellesley for the
major role she played in making me realize and develop my personal
and professional aspirations, as well as equipping me with the passion,
conscientiousness, and confidence with which to achieve them."
Neo '02
|
|


|
Wellesley
College's WZLY, the longest running independent U.S. women's radio
station, is committed to promoting diverse and independent music.
It is among the student organizations on campus that provides
the opportunity for students to pursue a specific interest or
talent and, at the same time, develop leadership skills.
Categories
of student organizations include: academic, art/cinema, College
Government, cultural/national, environmental, literary/journalism,
performance, political, professional, religious, sports, and volunteer/social
advocacy clubs and organizations.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
 |
| |
 |
| |
| Above: Student
leaders in Residential Life engage in some team-building/body-rolling
exercises. Below, they prepare for a sail on the lake. |
| |
 |
 |
| |
"On
this campus, almost every woman sees herself as hardworking and
committed to furthering her future. True leaders, however, are not
necessarily the loudest, but are the women who inspire others to
challenge themselves."
Genevieve '99 |
| |
| |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
"What
I think is most remarkable is the tremendous resources for activities
and organizations- social, sport, whatever. People here are passionate
about what they do. No matter what area, people support you."
Morgan '03 |
| |
 |
|














|