Women Involved in Learning and Leading (WILL)

What is WILL?

WILL is The Women Involved in Learning and Leading Program. WILL engages students, faculty and staff in a learning community that promotes academic excellence, leadership development, and civic involvement for women.

Who Can Apply?

WILL is open to all University of Alabama female students who are freshmen, sophomores, or first year juniors. The WILL Program values diversity. The program does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, or ancestry.

Benefits of the Program

Participation in WILL:

• Empowers women as leaders and engaged citizens during and after college;
• Promotes a network for female students to cultivate academic and social support;
• Reinforces skills for working with people of diverse backgrounds and opinions;
• Provides opportunities in and out of the classroom to explore career and life choices

Application Process

Students who reside on campus will apply directly through Housing and Residential Communities. Students who reside off-campus may apply directly through the Department of Women’s Studies or the Women’s Resource Center. Qualified students who submit a completed application will be contacted for an interview by program faculty and staff.

Learn More About the Program

WILL faculty and staff from the Women’s Resource Center, Department of Women’s Studies, or Housing and Residential Communities welcome the opportunity to answer questions or set up an individual appointment to discuss the program. See our contact information in the left column.

For more information about the WILL Program, please contact Dr. Ida M. Johnson, Co-Director of the WILL Program (205-348-8462; 104 Manly Hall; ijohnson@bama.ua.edu) or Elle Shabaan, Co-Director of the Program (205-348-5040; 310 Russell Hall; lshabaan@bama.ua.edu); or Holly Morris, Co-Director and Student Advisor of the WILL Program (205-348-5040; 314 Russell Hall, hmorris@sa.ua.edu).

The WILL Creed

We, as women, participating in the WILL program, work for the betterment of women by learning and raising awareness about women’s issues, by accepting our responsibilities as leaders in the community, by actively resisting oppression and by fostering a spirit of acceptance and equality for women at the University of Alabama.

We, as women, have roles, rights, and responsibilities that reflect who we are, what we are and what we stand for. We uphold strong beliefs about equality, education, and women’s issues without conforming ourselves to what society wants us to be.

A Three-Pronged Approach

Academics

The WILL curriculum of courses provides a foundation to examine gender issues and focuses on women’s diverse roles, contributions, and challenges. WILL students can either minor in Women’s Studies, or take 6 hours of coursework which may also meet the Humanities core requirement. This may include specialized classes designed for WILL participants.

Student Organization

WILL students are central to managing and shaping the program based on feminist principles of equal participation. The WILL student organization provides members with opportunities for formal and informal leadership roles, and encourages individual and collective social action.

Co-Curriculur Component

WILL students have many exciting opportunities to participate in workshops, films, cultural events, and other gender focused programming. Women involved in WILL have unique experiences that allow them to meet guest lecturers, build friendships, and participate in events that foster their particular skills and area of study. Participants who reside on campus have an opportunity to become part of a living community with other WILL participants who share similar interests.

What WILL participantsare saying about the program...

“My motivation for joining was to promote women’s issues around campus and meet people with similar interests.”

“I learned that women are a big part of today’s world. I also learned about feminist ideas and views.”

“I’ve gained a better sense of the subject of women’s rights and their leadership roles in society.”

“I became a part of WILL to gain knowledge of women’s leadership and bring a diverse organization to The University of Alabama.”

Download Applications

WILL Application
WILL Brochure

WILL Program Partners

Women's Resource Center
Women's Studies Department
Housing and Residential Communities