The ODU Women's Initiative Network Mentorship Program was established in 2014 by First Lady Emerita Kate Broderick and former ODU Board of Visitors member Pamela Kirk to provide first-generation female students with additional academic and professional development resources for their continued success.
The program matches female industry professionals with ODU undergraduate female students with emphasis on serving rising juniors and seniors. WIN mentors and mentees are matched according to areas of interest and career pathways. WIN mentees are predominantly first-generation minority students (90%). About one-third of mentees are STEM majors and over 30% are Pell-eligible.
Impact
Connecting young women at ODU with a community of like-minded professional women across industries creates a vibrant and dynamic environment where the power of relationships drives academic success and personal growth.
Mentorship is a powerful proven tool to realizing goals and developing life-long skill sets and relationships that young women can carry with them as they attain their professional and personal goals.
Results
Over 200 WIN student mentees have graduated from Old Dominion University since the program's founding. WIN members are currently mentoring 85 female students, but demand is increasing for mentors. The WIN Mentorship Program is designed to provide mentees with additional resources for their continued success.
Potential mentees are encouraged to apply on Monarch Groups. For more information, please contact Dionicia Mahler-Rogers, Ph.D.:
Dionicia Mahler-Rogers, Ph.D.
Associate Director
Office of Leadership & Learning
Old Dominion University,
1104 Student Success Center
Perry Library
Phone 757-683-5996
Email dmahlerr@odu.edu
WIN Mentorship Program Events
WIN presents a variety of programming and resources to the ODU student community annually to support student success. Initiatives include:
- Monarch Student Leadership Academy
- Monthly WIN Lunch & Learn Programs
- Big Blue's Closet providing complimentary gently used professional attire
- Business etiquette and professional development workshops
- "Celebrating our Seniors" annual event recognizing WIN mentee graduates
- Engagement with ODU Arts, ODU Athletics, President's Lecture Series, and University events
- Volunteer opportunities with community not for profit initiatives
ODU WIN Mentorship Program Alumna
Meet ODU WIN Mentee Alumna, Elizabeth Owusuwaa ’17 ‘20, CPA, MSA
Senior Financial Management Consultant, Deloitte
B.S. Accounting; M.S. Accounting
ODU WIN Mentor: Marsha Hudgins, MBA ‘76
“The mentorship relationships within the WIN program were a catalyst in my career pursuits and aspirations. It served as grounds for many firsts and lead to my development as a polished professional woman in the corporate world, as a community leader, and in my personal life.
My WIN mentor introduced me to my first CPA, was my first luncheon with women business owners and entrepreneurs within my field of study, my first internship was obtained through the WIN program, and my first forever friendship with a CEO. Without all these firsts’, I would not have been where I am today or be prepared to consult for a Big 4 Accounting firm.” Elizabeth Owusuwaa ’17 ‘20, CPA, MSA
Elizabeth Owusuwwa is a Senior Consultant, Financial Management at Deloitte. ODU WIN President, Marsha Hudgins, MBA ’76, served as a mentor to Elizabeth Owusuwaa.
Meet ODU WIN Mentee Alumna, Kiara “Keke” Moya-Prera ’23,
USN Surface Warfare Officer, United States Navy
Batten College of Engineering and Technology ODU WIN Mentor: Marsha Hudgins, MBA ‘76
Keke has been commissioned as a surface warfare officer in the U.S. Navy. She will be assigned to USS Kearsarge. Marsha Hudgins, MBA ‘76 has been her mentor for three years:
"Keke is an example of the amazing hidden talents we have here at ODU. Daughter of an immigrant from Guatemala, she has carved an impressive career in engineering, and she has made the ultimate commitment to the United States by serving as an officer in the U.S. Navy. I am extremely proud of this extraordinary young woman." Marsha Hudgins, MBA ‘76
Meet ODU WIN Mentee Alumna, Simone Stephen ‘22
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Batten College of Engineering and Technology
ODU WIN Mentor: Bertha “Bee” Ballard ’20, Nuclear Engineer, Reactor Servicing/Nuclear Propulsion,
Newport News Shipbuilding
“My WIN mentee, Simone Stephen, completed her bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering last spring. She received the 2022 BCET Diversity Graduate Award and went on to complete her master’s in
Cybersecurity this summer. This spring, she published a paper, “Implications of Cybersecurity in Advanced Agriculture”, and presented at the International Conference of Cyber Warfare and Security Conference and completed the Cyber Experiential Learning program.
She is currently working as a Cybersecurity master’s Intern at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory through the Department of Homeland Security’s WIRED internship and development program. She has an incredible story on how she’s overcome adversity after a major life change that left her helping to care for a loved one while pursuing her education. She’s incredible and I’m proud to play a small part in her story!” Bertha “Bee” Ballard ‘20 Nuclear Engineer, Reactor Servicing/Nuclear Propulsion, Newport News Shipbuilding
Meet ODU WIN Mentee Alumna, Jaidan N. Williams, ’23, A.A.S.
IT Specialist, Office of the Inspector General, NASA Langley
ODU Cyber LeADERS Scholar
NSF CyberCorps SFS Scholar
B.S. Cybersecurity, 2023
ODU WIN Mentor: Ann Jones, Director, Enterprise Identity Services, Sentara Healthcare
Jaidan’s path to ODU began as a STEM Promise Scholar at Tidewater Community College where Jaidan received a full tuition scholarship. Jaidan’s academic accolades include being named to Dean’s List, the President’s Honor Roll, and a recipient of the TCC Academic Excellence and Service Award.
While a student at Old Dominion, Jaidan joined the Summer 757 program to enhance her career readiness, build her professional network, and meet like-minded students with shared goals and visions for their futures. Jaidan interned with NASA Langley Research Center in 2022 and was offered a full- time position in the Office of the Inspector General at NASA Langley Research Center as an IT Specialist in 2023.
Jaidan participated in the ODU WIN Mentorship Program while a student at Old Dominion University. Ann Jones, Director, Enterprise Identity Services, Sentara Healthcare, served as Jaidan’s mentor.
Meet ODU WIN Mentee Alumna, Rafia Haq ‘19 Flight Software, NASA Langley Research Center
B.S. Computer Science 2019
MS Cybersecurity Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology 2023 ODU
WIN Mentor: Kieran Poulos, JD, MS Accounting ‘05
Rafia Haq ’19 is a Flight Software Engineer at NASA Langley Research Center. While a computer science student at ODU, Rafia participated in the ODU WIN Mentorship Program and was mentored by attorney and ODU WIN member, Kieran Poulos, MA ‘05.
Meet ODU WIN Mentee Alumna, Amanda Pysher ‘23
BS, Ocean and Earth Science
ODU WIN Mentor: Stephanie Neary, MS Environmental Health, Occupational Health, and Safety ‘19 Construction Supervisor, CVN-79 New Carrier Construction, Newport News Shipbuilding
Amanda Pysher graduated in May 2023 from ODU and is now at Coastal Carolina University pursuing a MS in Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies. While at ODU, she was a Division 1 student athlete on the Women’s Rowing team, a volunteer researcher in the ODU Wetland Plant & Restoration Lab, and served as an undergraduate research assistant in the Evolution Eco-Physiology Lab, to expand her experience and worked on many other projects and initiatives during her tenure. Pysher was a member of the CIVIC Scholars Class of 2023.
Meet ODU WIN Mentee Alumna, Ephony King ‘23
ODU WIN Mentor: Stephanie Neary, MS Environmental Health, Occupational Health, and Safety ‘19
Construction Supervisor, CVN-79 New Carrier Construction, Newport News Shipbuilding
Ephony King is a graduate of the Apprentice School was a structural welder at Newport News Shipbuilding during her tenure at ODU. She completed her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering technology in August 2023 and is now a Mechanical Engineer working in the Reactor Services division at Newport News Shipbuilding. She also was one of two welders selected to weld the initials of ship sponsors for the keel laying of CVN-80 (Enterprise). Biles and fellow Olympian Katie Ledecky are the ship’s sponsors. Ephony welded Simone Biles’s initials on to the keel plate. She is a 2022 Model of Excellence Winner at Newport News Shipbuilding as well for work performed during her tenure as a structural welder.
Meet ODU WIN Mentee Alumna, Elizabeth Owusuwaa ’17 ‘20, CPA, MSA
Senior Financial Management Consultant, Deloitte
B.S. Accounting; M.S. Accounting
ODU WIN Mentor: Marsha Hudgins, MBA ‘76
“The mentorship relationships within the WIN program were a catalyst in my career pursuits and aspirations. It served as grounds for many firsts and lead to my development as a polished professional woman in the corporate world, as a community leader, and in my personal life.
My WIN mentor introduced me to my first CPA, was my first luncheon with women business owners and entrepreneurs within my field of study, my first internship was obtained through the WIN program, and my first forever friendship with a CEO. Without all these firsts’, I would not have been where I am today or be prepared to consult for a Big 4 Accounting firm.” Elizabeth Owusuwaa ’17 ‘20, CPA, MSA
Elizabeth Owusuwwa is a Senior Consultant, Financial Management at Deloitte. ODU WIN President, Marsha Hudgins, MBA ’76, served as a mentor to Elizabeth Owusuwaa.
Meet ODU WIN Mentee Alumna, Kiara “Keke” Moya-Prera ’23,
USN Surface Warfare Officer, United States Navy
Batten College of Engineering and Technology ODU WIN Mentor: Marsha Hudgins, MBA ‘76
Keke has been commissioned as a surface warfare officer in the U.S. Navy. She will be assigned to USS Kearsarge. Marsha Hudgins, MBA ‘76 has been her mentor for three years:
"Keke is an example of the amazing hidden talents we have here at ODU. Daughter of an immigrant from Guatemala, she has carved an impressive career in engineering, and she has made the ultimate commitment to the United States by serving as an officer in the U.S. Navy. I am extremely proud of this extraordinary young woman." Marsha Hudgins, MBA ‘76
Meet ODU WIN Mentee Alumna, Simone Stephen ‘22
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Batten College of Engineering and Technology
ODU WIN Mentor: Bertha “Bee” Ballard ’20, Nuclear Engineer, Reactor Servicing/Nuclear Propulsion,
Newport News Shipbuilding
“My WIN mentee, Simone Stephen, completed her bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering last spring. She received the 2022 BCET Diversity Graduate Award and went on to complete her master’s in
Cybersecurity this summer. This spring, she published a paper, “Implications of Cybersecurity in Advanced Agriculture”, and presented at the International Conference of Cyber Warfare and Security Conference and completed the Cyber Experiential Learning program.
She is currently working as a Cybersecurity master’s Intern at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory through the Department of Homeland Security’s WIRED internship and development program. She has an incredible story on how she’s overcome adversity after a major life change that left her helping to care for a loved one while pursuing her education. She’s incredible and I’m proud to play a small part in her story!” Bertha “Bee” Ballard ‘20 Nuclear Engineer, Reactor Servicing/Nuclear Propulsion, Newport News Shipbuilding
Meet ODU WIN Mentee Alumna, Jaidan N. Williams, ’23, A.A.S.
IT Specialist, Office of the Inspector General, NASA Langley
ODU Cyber LeADERS Scholar
NSF CyberCorps SFS Scholar
B.S. Cybersecurity, 2023
ODU WIN Mentor: Ann Jones, Director, Enterprise Identity Services, Sentara Healthcare
Jaidan’s path to ODU began as a STEM Promise Scholar at Tidewater Community College where Jaidan received a full tuition scholarship. Jaidan’s academic accolades include being named to Dean’s List, the President’s Honor Roll, and a recipient of the TCC Academic Excellence and Service Award.
While a student at Old Dominion, Jaidan joined the Summer 757 program to enhance her career readiness, build her professional network, and meet like-minded students with shared goals and visions for their futures. Jaidan interned with NASA Langley Research Center in 2022 and was offered a full- time position in the Office of the Inspector General at NASA Langley Research Center as an IT Specialist in 2023.
Jaidan participated in the ODU WIN Mentorship Program while a student at Old Dominion University. Ann Jones, Director, Enterprise Identity Services, Sentara Healthcare, served as Jaidan’s mentor.
Meet ODU WIN Mentee Alumna, Rafia Haq ‘19 Flight Software, NASA Langley Research Center
B.S. Computer Science 2019
MS Cybersecurity Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology 2023 ODU
WIN Mentor: Kieran Poulos, JD, MS Accounting ‘05
Rafia Haq ’19 is a Flight Software Engineer at NASA Langley Research Center. While a computer science student at ODU, Rafia participated in the ODU WIN Mentorship Program and was mentored by attorney and ODU WIN member, Kieran Poulos, MA ‘05.
Meet ODU WIN Mentee Alumna, Amanda Pysher ‘23
BS, Ocean and Earth Science
ODU WIN Mentor: Stephanie Neary, MS Environmental Health, Occupational Health, and Safety ‘19 Construction Supervisor, CVN-79 New Carrier Construction, Newport News Shipbuilding
Amanda Pysher graduated in May 2023 from ODU and is now at Coastal Carolina University pursuing a MS in Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies. While at ODU, she was a Division 1 student athlete on the Women’s Rowing team, a volunteer researcher in the ODU Wetland Plant & Restoration Lab, and served as an undergraduate research assistant in the Evolution Eco-Physiology Lab, to expand her experience and worked on many other projects and initiatives during her tenure. Pysher was a member of the CIVIC Scholars Class of 2023.
Meet ODU WIN Mentee Alumna, Ephony King ‘23
ODU WIN Mentor: Stephanie Neary, MS Environmental Health, Occupational Health, and Safety ‘19
Construction Supervisor, CVN-79 New Carrier Construction, Newport News Shipbuilding
Ephony King is a graduate of the Apprentice School was a structural welder at Newport News Shipbuilding during her tenure at ODU. She completed her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering technology in August 2023 and is now a Mechanical Engineer working in the Reactor Services division at Newport News Shipbuilding. She also was one of two welders selected to weld the initials of ship sponsors for the keel laying of CVN-80 (Enterprise). Biles and fellow Olympian Katie Ledecky are the ship’s sponsors. Ephony welded Simone Biles’s initials on to the keel plate. She is a 2022 Model of Excellence Winner at Newport News Shipbuilding as well for work performed during her tenure as a structural welder.