Our Mission
The Role Model Initiative aims to address the need of industry to cultivate their future workforce, and the need of youth, particularly girls and populations traditionally underrepresented in STEM, to have role models and mentors in order to pursue STEM education and careers.
Together with the FabFems directory, we are facilitating connections between existing role model programs, women in the San Diego community, and professional development opportunities.
On this webpage you will find links to our surveys and the FabFems directory, opportunities around San Diego to strengthen your skills as a role model, and a list of our pilot programs.
Get Involved
Learn about local STEM mentoring programs looking for volunteer role models.
Professional Development
Find opportunities to learn and grow into your role model role.
Society of Women Engineers Trainings
Partners
These partners have exemplary role model programs in San Diego, working to help youth in San Diego to pursue their academic and career dreams! Find out more by going on their webpage, sign up to be a mentor with them, or get your child involved.
BE WiSE
Better Education for Women in Science and Engineering
BE WiSE invites girls in grades 7 and 8 to Science Overnights to explore their interest in science, hosts events for BE WiSE members in high school to encourage their selection of more courses in science and math, and exposes these girls to adult women scientists who share their knowledge and passion and experiences with science and engineering careers.
They have supported over 500 girls in the past 14 years.
SWENext
Society of Women Engineers
SWENext is a way for K-12 girls to belong in the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). SWENexters have access to programs, mentors and resources designed to develop leadership skills and self-confidence to #BeThatEngineer and succeed in engineering and technology careers. While programming focuses on girls, all students are invited to participate. SWENext has over 6,000 students enrolled throughout the world.
SDSU Femineers
The program provides K-12 students with project-based learning, female engineering student mentors, and opportunities to visit a Femineer® affiliate university, while building a sustainable program and community for current and future STEM leaders. They are open to all schools and students K-12.
Currently, they serve over 90 schools and have 3 partner universities.
MANA - Hermanitas
MANA supports young Latina students in middle and high school through their academic journeys and into careers, by providing them with an exclusive and constant one-to-one Hermanitas Mentor – a woman who has walked down similar paths, has a similar life story or faced similar challenges and is now successful, responsible and empowered.
Since 1987, they have served over local 600 Latina women, ages 12-18.
National Girls Collaborative Project
The vision of the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) is to bring together organizations throughout the United States that are committed to informing and encouraging girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). They maximize access to shared resources, strengthen the capacity of existing and evolving projects, and leverage their network to create the tipping point for gender equity in STEM.
Resources
Check out these video series of STEM role models talking about their career journeys and skills they learned along the way.
MY ENERGY FUTURE
The Energy Coalition
FACES OF STEM
U.S. Department of Energy
GREEN CAREERS
Energize Schools (SEI)
STEM STORIES
Kearny High School of Digital Media and Design (DMD)
Color your role models with these free coloring books featuring woman STEM professionals from SDSU and beyond! Learn more about the project and download the books at the link below.
