PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Rutman/Och Advancing Women’s Leadership Initiative was created to educate high-performing young leaders who are committed to advancing women’s leadership in business and economics. Our goal is to graduate more students who value gender diversity and have the aspiration, knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to pursue successful and meaningful careers, ascend into leadership roles in their organizations, and promote women’s leadership in their workplaces. Students of all genders are encouraged to apply!
Accepted perspective students who are eligible for this program will be invited to apply.
CONTACT
Melissa Beecher
Academic Counselor
Email: melissa.beecher@unh.edu
Phone: (603) 862-3885
Rutman Fellows Leadership Program
University of New Hampshire
Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics
10 Garrison Avenue
Durham, NH 03824
University of New Hampshire
"The Rutman Fellows program has given me an amazing network and friend group of like-minded women. I've had the opportunity to elevate myself as a leader and address the gender gap in Paul College, something we have all become extremely passionate about." - Lindsey McGinnis '21"
program highlights
- Peer network: 12-15 students who will progress together through their 4 years in Paul College, developing skills for managing gender diversity, focusing on leadership and empowerment
- Scholarship: $3,000 per year for 4 years; $12,000 total per student
- Allyship: Inspire, cultivate, and prepare students of all genders to serve as allies in advancing women as leaders in their organizations at UNH and beyond
- Mentorship: Receive guidance, advice, and access to professional networks from alumni and industry leaders, as well as upperclass students
- Internship and Job Preparedness: Strong connections with Career and Professionals Success (CAPS), including an Internship Opportunity Fund stipend of $2,500 to supplement a junior summer internship
- Advocacy: Strengthen attention to issues of gender equality and women’s leadership in the workplace in our curricular and co-curricular learning activities
- Faculty and Staff Connections: Each student in the program benefits from a dedicated staff coordinator (who also serves as the academic advisor) as well as a faculty advisor
Paul College is a "Rising Star" of the
Forté Foundation
Forté is a non-profit powered by our alliance of talented women, universities, and corporations.
Learning outcomes
Participants in this program will:
- Identify the impact gender has on leadership
- Gain skills to successfully navigate the impact gender has on leadership
- Understand and utilize the 5 themes from Kouzes and Posner’s “The Leadership Challenge”
- Be empowered to take on leadership roles
- while attending UNH/Paul College
- in the work force and community
- Understand how to gain and leverage male allies in the advancement of women’s leadership
- Understand the importance of intersectionality (race, sexuality, ability, etc.) with gender and leadership
- Participate in at least two high impact educational practices during each academic year
- Gain/improve at least two “soft skills” that employers look for when hiring interns/employees
Eligibility Requirements
The Rutman Fellows will be a cohort of 12-15 students who will receive a $3,000 scholarship per year. The $3,000 scholarships are awarded in addition to other UNH merit aid. They may be renewed annually for up to four years provided students maintain standards detailed in the offer letter.
Competitive applicants for this award generally:
- Students who are deemed competitive for the Rutman Fellows Scholarship are invited to submit a required supplemental application for this scholarship program.
- Generally are the top 30% of their graduating class (or equivalent level for unranked schools) and a weighted recalculated GPA greater than 3.5 and less than 4.0 in a strong college preparatory curriculum and demonstrate notable leadership skills in their high school and/or communities.
- Other factors that are considered in granting the award include the applicant’s demonstrated leadership experience, genuine interest in and commitment to the advancement of women in business and economics, and ambition to develop as leaders.
- Students who are eligible for the Paul Scholarship are not eligible to apply for the Rutman Fellows scholarship.
These are minimum criteria to be considered for the Rutman Fellows Scholarship. Meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee an award as the pool of applicants is competitive and the number of scholarships limited.
Goals for each year
As this is the pilot year of the Rutman/Och Advancing Women's Leadership initiative, the outline may be adjusted to better suit the needs of the participants.
First-years
- Early move in – Leadership Training
- Regular cohort meetings (fall and spring semesters)
- Leadership Camp (spring break - optional)
- Spring project – solving a gender-based leadership problem in the Paul/UNH community
- Attend Unconscious Bias Workshop
- Attend Women In Business Conference
Sophomores
- Women’s Leadership Business in Practice course (fall semester preferred)
- Mentoring relationship with alum/industry leader
- Read “Lean In for Graduates” over winter break
- Have monthly Discussion Circles (2 groups of 6-8 students – spring semester)
- Leadership Camp (if haven’t attended already)
- Attend Unconscious Bias Workshop
- Attend Women In Business Conference
Juniors
- Mentoring relationship with alum/industry leader – connected to area of study
- Leadership experience – take on leadership role in Paul and/or student organization
- Internship support – guaranteed Internship Opportunity Fund stipend
- Lean In Circles – 2 options: internship support, leadership experience support
- Take Professional Development course to help with internship search and experience
- Mentor first-year cohort of Rutman Fellows (stay with same cohort for 2 years)
- Help plan and implement (or attend) Unconscious Bias Workshop
- Attend Women In Business Conference
Seniors
- Capstone project – research gender-based topic important to student and have something to implement to create change (local or global)
- Attend high-quality women’s leadership conference with the Dean of Paul College
- Mentoring relationship continues with alum/industry leader – connected to their area of studLean In Circles – workplace focus, connecting with peers for support and advice
- Mentor sophomore cohort of Rutman Fellows (continue on from first-year cohort)
- Help plan and implement (or attend) Unconscious Bias Workshop
- Attend Women In Business Conference