Why We’re Here
Who We Are
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WiSH (Women in Science and Health, Inc.) is a non-profit organization based in New York City that is dedicated to expanding access to education through mentorship and increase opportunity for women pursuing careers in science and health.
We work to break through systemic and socioeconomic barriers by not only providing educational resources and financial support, but also by helping women interested in STEM fields understand how to get to college in the first place.
Our method offers 1:1 personalized and pragmatic guidance and support as we navigate through pathways that are often unclear.
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Our mission is to bridge the opportunity gap by pairing students with accomplished women in STEM and healthcare (e.g., engineers, clinicians, physicians, and PhDs) who offer personalized mentorship, academic support, and real-world insight.
Through hands-on guidance, including college application and FAFSA assistance, writing workshops, scholarship navigation, and curated academic resources, we equip students with the practical tools and problem-solving confidence needed to pursue and complete their education goals.
Unlocking access to higher education is just the beginning. We will continue to support our scholars throughout their college journeys, providing ongoing mentorship and a community to ensure that they can not only attend college, but thrive during their higher education and transition into satisfying and impactful careers.
At its core, WiSH is built on a simple but powerful belief:
Access to opportunity should not be determined by socioeconomic background, and that one meaningful connection can change the trajectory of a life.
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WiSH envisions a future in which every young woman, regardless of her socioeconomic status, background, or zip code, has equitable access to the mentorship, resources, and opportunities necessary to pursue careers in science, healthcare, and beyond.
We aim to cultivate a growing, intergenerational network of women who lift up one another. Where today’s mentees become tomorrow’s mentors, creating a sustainable cycle of support, representation, and leadership across STEM fields. Through this model, WiSH seeks to not only increase access to higher education, but also contribute to a more diverse, inclusive, and innovative workforce.
In the long term, our vision is to scale our impact from local communities to a broader national presence, partnering with educational institutions, community organizations, and industry leaders to systematically reduce barriers to entry in STEM and healthcare fields.
By investing early in talent that is often overlooked, WiSH strives to reshape the pipeline of opportunity by making sure that each young woman’s brilliance, ambition, and potential are recognized and supported wherever they exist.
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WiSH is committed to supporting young women as they navigate the path to higher education and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and health. Whether you are a first-generation college student, come from a family with limited financial resources, attend an under-resourced school, or simply have not had someone to help you understand the process, WiSH is here to help.
Our goal is to ensure that every student with the passion and determination to pursue science and health has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background or life circumstances.
Mentorship Program
Our mentors provide individualized guidance throughout high school and college, helping students navigate academic decisions, applications, financial aid, scholarships, and career exploration.
Students are eligible to apply for mentorship beginning in the 9th grade of high school through the end of their senior year of college.
Scholarship Program
Scholarship awards are intended to help offset educational expenses like tuition and materials during the following academic year, including a student's senior year of college.
Students are eligible to apply for scholarships beginning in 12th grade through their junior year of college.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
WiSH believes that talent, curiosity, and potential exist in every community. We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where individuals who identify as women feel safe, supported, and empowered to pursue careers in science and health.
We celebrate the diversity of experiences and perspectives that strengthen our community and believe that everyone deserves equitable access to mentorship, opportunity, and education.
Why WiSH Exists
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Why WiSH Exists *
Our focus is simple: mentorship first, access always.
Every student deserves the opportunity to pursue their dreams, but not every student begins with the same access to guidance, information, or support. For many young women interested in science and health, the greatest barriers are not a lack of talent or ambition, they are the absence of mentors, clear pathways, and someone to help navigate the journey.
WiSH was created after its founder recognized this challenge not only through her own educational journey as a first-generation college student, but also through her graduate studies in public health. While earning her MPH with a focus on Child, Youth, and Family Health, she and a fellow first-generation student explored how mentorship can improve educational outcomes, strengthen pathways to college, and help reduce disparities associated with socioeconomic status. Their work reinforced what they had both experienced firsthand: students thrive when they have someone who believes in them and helps them navigate the path ahead.
Research consistently demonstrates that mentorship can improve confidence, increase belonging, educational persistence, and long-term success. WiSH was built to turn that evidence into action by connecting young women with mentors who have already walked the path before them. By providing one-on-one mentorship, guidance, and access to resources, WiSH will help young women pursue their goals with confidence and build the future they deserve. We all need a village for support and guidance; we are here so that none of our students will have to navigate their future alone.
Because access is more than opportunity, it is knowing how to get there in the first place.
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