Frequently Asked Questions

Bentley University offers a unique undergraduate program focused on preparing and empowering young women to lead. During the four-year co-curricular Women’s Leadership Program, students gain insights and strategies for self-advocacy that address bias, maximize opportunity, and advance leadership potential. At the same time, they develop key communications competencies and become collaborative relationship builders who can communicate with influence. Prospective first-year students apply as part of the admission process — the program is open to students who identify as female.

To apply, students must complete two additional questions for Bentley University on the Common Application. The application is reviewed by the Admission Committee during the application decision process. If you submitted your Common Application, but did not answer the additional questions and would still like to apply for the program, you can submit the application here. 

Selection is based on leadership potential demonstrated in the student's Bentley application and is identified through essays, recommendations and/or extracurricular activities. Decisions are announced as part of the regular decision process.

The selection process for the program occurs as part of the regular decision process. Students who are admitted early decision are notified about Women's Leadership Program decisions in late March.

Absolutely! This program is designed to build confidence and competence for women in the workplace. We understand that gender identity doesn’t always match the sex we were assigned at birth. If you have further questions please reach out!

No! Once you are in the Women’s Leadership Program, you cannot lose your scholarship or ability to participate in the program based on your gender identity. We understand that gender is fluid and a journey. We want to support all of our students on that journey and encourage them to be their authentic selves.

As a four-year program, the Women's Leadership Program application is open to prospective first-year students only. Bentley offers students many other opportunities related to leadership and advancing gender equality.

Several Bentley student groups focus on programs and events related to gender and gender equity:

• Students Advocating for Gender Equality (SAGE)
• Bentley Men of Alliance
• Bentley Women's Network
• P.R.I.D.E.

Bentley also has many opportunities for students to gain leadership skills:

• Panhellenic Council
• Orientation Leaders
• Student Government
• Campus Activities Board (CAB)
• First-Year Seminar Facilitator
• Service Learning Program Manager
• ...and there are many more!

As a four-year program, the Women's Leadership Program application is open to prospective first-year students only.

Current students can apply to participate in the one-semester Fellowship, which is offered every spring semester. The Fellowship provides men and women real-world leadership preparation through an understanding of workplace diversity issues and best practices. Bentley offers students many other opportunities related to leadership and advancing gender equality.

Several Bentley student groups focus on programs and events related to gender and gender equity:

• Students Advocating for Gender Equality (SAGE)
• Bentley Men of Alliance
• Bentley Women's Network
• P.R.I.D.E.

Bentley also has many opportunities for students to gain leadership skills:

• Panhellenic Council
• Students Advocating Gender Equality (SAGE)
• Orientation Leaders
• Student Government
• Campus Activities Board (CAB)
• First-Year Seminar Facilitator
• Service Learning Program Manager
• ...and there are many more!

The Women's Leadership Program is powered by the expertise of Bentley's Gloria Cordes Larson Center for Women and Business (CWB).

The CWB provides thought leadership and training on critical diversity, equity, and inclusion issues. CWB facilitators lead hundreds of sessions with businesses worldwide, providing knowledge and tools to foster inclusive organizations. Based this expertise, the CWB designed the Women's Leadership Program and collaborates with the Office of Gender and Sexuality Student Programs to facilitate program workshops focused on workplace equity and women's leadership.

Students participating in Women’s Leadership Program are WLP Leaders. During the admission process, these students demonstrated strong leadership potential and were selected to participate in the program.

View a detailed breakdown of the program structure by year.

The program includes:

• Orientation
• Forums Addressing Gender Equity Issues and Workplace Dynamics
• Forums Building Leadership and Communications Skills
• Two Related Elective Courses
• Meeting with Corporate Mentors
• Corporate Visits
• Individual Leadership Journal
• Community Events

The Women's Leadership Award includes participation in the Women's Leadership Program. In order to ensure WLP Leaders gain the skills, confidence, and strategies that will prepare them as leaders, they are required to participate in a diverse set of programs over the course of four years. View a detailed breakdown of the program requirements by year.  

Since the program was not in place prior to fall 2017, students who received the Women's Leadership Award and are part of the Class of 2019 or 2020 are invited but not required to participate in program events.

The learning outcomes for students participating in the Women’s Leadership Program:

• Develop an understanding of the value and impact of diversity to the success of a company.
• Gain an awareness of the current social and workplace issues that are affecting gender and workplace diversity.
• Understand and articulate strategies for self-advocacy that address bias, maximize opportunity, and advance leadership potential.
• Develop a broader understanding of leadership.
• Develop an understanding of the value and impact of gender intelligence and gender diversity to the success of a company.
• Recognize the importance of inclusive leadership and the organizational tools used to foster inclusion, advance women, and promote diversity.
• Become self-aware of their unique strengths as leaders and how to use these strengths as inclusive, authentic leaders and team players.
  • Understand the value and impact of authentic leadership and followership.
  • Gain insight and embrace their authentic selves. Students gain both internal and external self-awareness.
  • Develop a personal vision for leadership.
  • Develop a unique value proposition as a leader.
• Experience meaningful mentoring relationships with professionals and peers.
• Enhance communications competencies that advance leadership potential — CWB Leaders are collaborative, relationship builders, and can communicate with influence.  Skills development focus is on:
  • Interpersonal communication
  • Conflict management
  • Collaborative problem solving
  • Negotiation
  • Executive presence
  • Public speaking/Presentation skills: speaking up and being heard
  • Networking
• Inspire curiosity and interest in continuously shaping themselves as leaders by learning about themselves and others.

In order to remain in the program and maintain the financial award, WLP Leaders should be enrolled as full-time students and demonstrate satisfactory academic progress.

The program maintains a list of Bentley courses from which you can choose. Prior to registration each semester, any additional special topic or experimental courses that will be offered and are included as part of the program will be announced.

The program is not included as a transcript annotation. WLP Leaders should highlight the program on their resumes.

Students in the Women’s Leadership Program have the same residential options as all other incoming students, including the option to live in the HerStory: Women Leaders of Today (HerStory).  Located in the Trees Complex, HerStory is a first-year residential community that provides a space for women to interact with and live amongst others who share passion for gender issues.

Yes! Many of our WLP Leaders study abroad and it does not affect your standing in the program.

• Will my Women's Leadership Award apply when I study abroad?
  Yes, Bentley will apply your award while you study abroad as long as you are a full-time student and you are abroad during the fall or spring semester. 
• Are there any Women's Leadership Program requirements while I study abroad?
  Yes, WLP Leaders who study abroad will be asked to observe and document their experiences, relative to gender norms/stereotypes and diversity, in their leadership journals. Example questions include:
  How diverse is the environment at the school?  In the city? 
  How are women viewed by society? 
  Do you feel you are treated differently because of your gender/race/other social identity?
  You will be asked to write an essay about your experiences and share it with the WLP via a community blog. Each spring/fall, we will hold an event where students can share photos, observations, and insights from their experiences with other WLP Leaders.

Depending on a student’s interests, there are many ways Bentley students can gain leadership experiences and skills. 

• Panhellenic Council
• Students Advocating Gender Equality
• Orientation Leaders
• Student Government
• Campus Activities Board (CAB)
• First-Year Seminar Facilitator
• Service Learning Program Manager
• ...and there are many more!