Lady Cardinal Mentorship Program Empowers North Carolina High School Girls in STEM Careers

Strategic Insights -

Fifteen high-achieving North Carolina high school girls will embark on a four-week hands-on educational experience through the Lady Cardinal Mentorship Program, a summer enrichment opportunity that nurtures interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematic (STEM) careers in state government. The program, now in its fifth year, was created to address the growing disparity in employment and earnings among women and men in North Carolina, as highlighted in the 2018 Status of Women in NC Employment and Earnings Report. The participants will work alongside women leaders in state government, partner on a group project focused on artificial intelligence, and engage in summer enrichment opportunities, ultimately earning a $1,700 stipend at the end of the program.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Lady Cardinal Mentorship Program is a four-week summer enrichment opportunity for North Carolina high school girls interested in STEM careers in state government, now in its fifth year.
  • The program was created based on recommendations from the 2018 Status of Women in NC Employment and Earnings Report, which highlights the growing disparity in employment and earnings among women and men in North Carolina.
  • Participants will work alongside women leaders in state government, partner on a group project focused on artificial intelligence, and engage in summer enrichment opportunities, ultimately earning a $1,700 stipend at the end of the program.
  • The program aims to prepare North Carolina's future leaders and close the gender wage gap, which will not begin to close until the year 2060 if unchanged.
  • Participating state agencies include the departments of Administration, Adult Correction, Commerce, Environmental Quality, Health and Human Services, Information Technology, Natural and Cultural Resources, Public Safety, and Revenue as well as the offices of State Budget Management and State Human Resources.
  • Mentees in the program represent Chatham, Guilford, Hoke, and Wake counties from grades 9 through 12.
  • The mentorship program has previously been a steppingstone for over 50 college-bound teens interested in state government STEM careers.

Statistics:

  • 15 North Carolina high school girls will participate in the 2025 Lady Cardinal class.
  • 40-hour weeks will be worked during the program, with time split between working alongside women leaders in state government and partnering on a group project focused on artificial intelligence.
  • $1,700 stipend will be earned by each participant at the end of the program.
  • More than 50 college-bound teens have been steered towards state government STEM careers through the Lady Cardinal Mentorship Program.
  • According to the 2018 Status of Women in NC Employment and Earnings Report, the gender wage gap will not begin to close until the year 2060 if unchanged.

Sources:

  • "Lady Cardinal Mentorship Program," North Carolina Purchase and Contract Division news release.
  • "Status of Women in NC Employment and Earnings Report," Council for Women and Youth Involvement in collaboration with the Institute for Women's Policy Research, 2018.