Pictured at the JEWEL mentor orientation are (from left) WRCNM Educational and Employment Services Coordinator Stacey Burns, WRCNM Executive Director Gail Kloss, and Julie Fasone Holder. Holder, a former WRCNM Board Member, and her husband John Holder established JEWEL for North Central Michigan College (NCMC) students.

Joint Endeavor for Women in Education and Leadership (JEWEL) held an orientation for community mentors participating in the scholarship program. JEWEL promotes education as a resource for empowerment and leadership by providing improved access to resources that address barriers disproportionately faced by women. The program focuses on academic success, leadership development, and access to resources.

Students of all backgrounds are welcome to apply for the JEWEL program. It is focused on those with financial need and limited educational support resources, and those who are among the first in their families to attend college. Participants are guaranteed a $1,000 annual scholarship and may also apply for other WRCNM and NCMC scholarships to help cover educational and living expenses.

Participating students will attend JEWEL events, complete a student development course, connect monthly with a mentor, and meet regularly with an academic advisor and student success coordinator.

A cohort of ten students have been chosen as scholarship recipients for the JEWEL Program starting in the fall of 2023. Students will be matched with their mentor in September for a 2-year commitment throughout their program at NCMC. In the fall of 2024, a second cohort of ten will begin.

To learn more, contact WRCNM Educational and Employment Services Coordinator, Stacey Burns at (231) 348-6699 or by email.