Lived experiences fuel passion for supporting women in STEM

Starting this program is an absolute no brainer.

Cindy Ghent

The Hill-Lopes Scholars Program in the Fisher College of Science and Mathematics delivers dedicated, transformational support for scholars during their undergraduate careers. Students in the program help fill the need for more women STEM professionals in male-dominated sectors. Behind the success of the scholars are dedicated, passionate faculty leaders lifting them up and helping map academic and career journeys.

Cindy Ghent, professor emerita, and Peko Tsuji, professor and chair of the Department of Biological Sciences have been with the program since its inception. Beth Kautzman, professor, also played an integral role in the program's development. In 2018, Barbara Hill and Ancelmo Lopes came to Towson University with the hope of developing a program that supports women in STEM. In response to this opportunity, Ghent said, “Of course we weren’t going to pass on this chance. Because of the topic and because of who we are, starting this program is an absolute no brainer.”

“The program is important because of our lived experiences,” she continues. “By creating communities and support systems for young women interested in STEM, they won’t have to endure as much and also feel prepared to overcome challenges they may face.”

The program was developed as a cohort model, bringing together students from multiple departments with about the same level of education to create a community of like-minded, goal-oriented scholars. Tsuji, Ghent and colleagues provide tools and opportunities to build scholars’ networks, understanding the importance of larger networks of support themselves.

“The biggest barrier for us and our colleagues is the retention of women in STEM,” says Tsuji. “By building their networks, the scholars will make connections outside of this program, which will increase their support networks and likely open more opportunities.”

Now, Ghent serves as the faculty director, working with the program coordinator to manage the ins and outs of the program. She also serves as a mentor to first-year scholars, meeting with them at least four times a year, to provide guidance as they begin their Hill-Lopes Scholar journeys.

Tsuji, the faculty leader for mentorship, is currently focused on managing the overall mentoring plan for the program, establishing student-specific individual mentoring structures and helping scholars build internal and external support networks that will help them be their best selves. She runs professional development sessions on mentoring and pairs scholars with their second-year mentors.

“As the program continues to grow, we have naturally gravitated toward roles that make sense for us,” says Tsuji. “We will continue to evaluate each cohort and what they bring in their lived experiences to make adjustments to make sure the scholars are prioritized.”

In the seven years since the inception of the idea for the program and six years since the first cohort started, Ghent and Tsuji recruited several more faculty members to join them, including Faith Weeks and Wendy Nelson. Weeks joined the Hill-Lopes team two years ago. Primarily responsible for evaluating the program and using data to make the program as successful as possible, she, an associate professor at TU, was happy to join the network of support for the scholars.

“When I was pursuing my education, I didn’t have a group like this,” says Weeks. “As a first-generation student, I didn’t have anyone to ask questions or guide me in my STEM journey. Now, as a part of the Hill-Lopes Scholars Program, I can give them what would have been helpful to me. I can help these women scholars feel a sense of belonging.”

After looking back at the last five years of the program, the faculty leaders have been able to reflect on the immense impact the program has had on not only the scholars but on the faculty leaders as well.

“It’s been really fulfilling to help scholars on their journey,” says Ghent. “They’ve grown so much and figured out what they wanted to do. It's amazing.”

“As their confidants and mentors, we become the brave space where scholars can develop,” continues Tsuji. “We adore and appreciate this program and all of the women in it.”

As their confidants and mentors, we become the brave space where scholars can develop. We adore and appreciate this program and all of the women in it.

Peko Tsuji