Iowa State University

Program for Women in Science and Engineering

Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) Learning Communities

First-year Learning Communities

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WiSE Learning Community Students enjoying their first tailgate as ISU students.
Our learning communities are designed to help first-years connect by living together in the residence halls with other women studying science and engineering who share similar interests. Benefits include developing friendships, finding study partners right on your floor and an upper-class peer mentor, someone who was in your shoes a year or two ago, to show you the ropes. Not only can students live together, first-year students living on WiSE floors may take two science or math courses together with students who also participate in the WiSE program. A variety of courses are offered: chemistry, calculus, biology, and physics. We work with academic advisors to get students on the right learning team.

Second-year Learning Communities

Through support from Alcoa, PWSE offers a learning community for our second-year students. Focused around a 1-credit course U ST 201, the Sophomore Success Learning Community offers a seminar course focusing on professional and leadership development. It isn't required to be in the course to participate in the Sophomore Success learning community, but it is encouraged!
The Sophomore Success Learning Community also includes tutoring, a Job Shadow Program, networking events with professionals, and meetings with Peer Mentors. Students participate in a series of optional events exclusively for second-year students which include:

  • Attending cultural events and discussions
  • Professional development luncheons
  • One-on-one and group meetings with Peer Mentors
  • Job Shadow Programs (In the past have included: Rockwell Collins, General Mills, Pella, the Great Ape Trust, University of Iowa School of Medicine and the Mayo Clinic, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and more!)

We expect our students to sign a community agreement form to participate in the Sophomore Success Learning Community agreement. The agreement explains the expectations we have from our second-year students. All students interested in the Sophomore Success Learning Community can review the agreement here.

Transfer Student Learning Communities

Transfer students have many needs and our Transfer Learning Communities are designed to be flexible. Transfer students have the option of living with other women in science, engineering and math fields at in Iowa State University owned apartments and receive support through a peer mentor. Transfer students are also encouraged to get involved in the Second-year Success Course. Learn more about the options for transfer students...