Empowering Future Leaders: School of Business Hosts Girls Inc. of Long Island

Six diverse young women pose in front of a classroom with a Caucasian woman in professional attire

The SUNY Old Westbury School of Business recently hosted Girls Inc. of Long Island on campus for an inspiring day dedicated to mentorship, career exploration, and college exposure.

As part of the School of Business’s ongoing commitment to fostering impactful community partnerships, this collaborative event provided our high school girls with a firsthand look at academic possibilities and future leadership pathways in business and beyond.

Caucasian woman and African American girl engaged in conversation in front of a whiteboard
Barbara Hillery (left), chair of the Chemistry & Physics Department, explains an experiment during the Girls, Inc. of Long Island visit. 

Our partnership with SUNY Old Westbury provided our girls with more than just a campus visit, it gave them the opportunity to build confidence, ask questions, and envision themselves as future college students and leaders."

-- Paige Jelinek, program manager, Girls Inc. of Long Island

The campus was filled with high energy and collaborative learning as the girls engaged directly with faculty, staff, and mentors. Key were sessions about the variety of academic programs and resources available to help them envision their path to higher education. Then, the Girls Inc. contingent literally got on the path, by taking a walking tour of the campus.

Students walk into a brick residence hall on a sunny day
Key to the Girls Inc. of Long Island itinerary was a preview of what college life is like via a walking tour. 

"At Girls Inc. of Long Island, we believe that exposing girls to college campuses, successful mentors, and hands-on learning experiences helps them see new possibilities for their futures,” said Paige Jelinek, program manager, Girls Inc. of Long Island. “Our partnership with SUNY Old Westbury provided our girls with more than just a campus visit, it gave them the opportunity to build confidence, ask questions, and envision themselves as future college students and leaders. We are incredibly grateful to the faculty, staff, and mentors who made this experience so meaningful and inspiring for our girls."

Interactive sessions allowed the young participants to connect with mentors, discussing leadership, confidence, and breaking barriers in historically underrepresented fields.

Adding a thrilling spark to the day, Dr. Barbara Hillery chair of Chemistry & Physics, captivated the audience with a high-energy, hands-on demonstration that brought scientific concepts to life.

The Girls Inc. of Long Island partnership highlights the School of Business’s mission to create a more equitable future by empowering the next generation of female innovators and leaders. By introducing young minds to college life and professional mentorship early on, SUNY Old Westbury and Girls Inc. of Long Island are working together to foster confidence and pave the way for future academic and professional success.

Web Banner Caption:  Nancy Gallagher (center, standing), coordinator of community partnerships for the School of Business, welcomes students for their visit to SUNY Old Westbury.

 

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