What is the YWLP?

The Young Women Leaders Program is a mentoring program sponsored by the UCF Women’s Studies Program. YWLP originated at the University of Virginia, and UCF has launched the program in the Orlando community. YWLP promotes middle school girls’ leadership abilities, pairing collegiate women with middle school girls.  In mentoring pairs and small groups of Big and Little Sisters, participants focus on learning competence and autonomy, independent thinking, empowerment, self-esteem, and encouraging girls to think about their futures.

What is the weekly commitment?

UCF women apply to the program, undergo an interview and selection process, and, if selected, attend the mandatory training session at the beginning of their first semester as a Big Sister. Once you complete the training, you must attend bi-weekly Wednesday afternoon planning meetings with members of your Big Sister group; on alternate Wednesdays, you will attend mentoring sessions with Little Sisters at their middle school. The weekly Wednesday meetings run from 3:15-4:45 and for the sessions that take place at the Middle Schools plan for an extra 30 minutes of drive time. You are also required to attend one Alumnae Social activity a month.

What will students do in a typical Little Sister mentoring session?

The sessions meet for an hour and a half after school every other Wednesday. Each meeting is divided into several components: 1) an introduction to the day’s special topic by the group facilitator; 2) time for each Big/Little Sister pair to discuss the topic one-on-one; and 3) group time to talk about and participate in creative and fun activities. This structure enables the mentors to talk with “Little Sisters” about important issues, to build relationships in each pair and among the group as a whole, and, mostly, to have fun!  Topics include: Leadership, Friendship, Autonomy, Body Awareness, Tough Decisions, Connection, and Looking Ahead.

Who can be a Big Sister?

The program is open to all undergraduate and graduate women and requires a minimum one hour and a half weekly time commitment for training and mentoring sessions on Wednesday afternoons (the in-service day for public schools) and attendance at one Alumnae social activity a month.  Participants will be selected from a pool of applicants.

How do I apply to become a Big Sister?

To become a Big Sister please compete the Mentoring Application form and return you application to the Women’s Studies Program office, CNH 411 by the application deadline.  Interviews will be scheduled after applications are reviewed. 

How long is the program and when does it start?

The fall program runs from late August to late November. The spring program begins again in late January and runs to mid April.

Ready to become a Big Sister? Click Here to download and print the Big

Sister Application.

Already a Big Sister? Click Here to check out our resource page.

Click Here to find out about the YWLP Alumnae Club.