North Carolina Department of Administration Launches Lady Cardinal Mentorship Program for High School Girls

Strategic Insights -

The North Carolina Department of Administration has launched the 2025 Lady Cardinal Mentorship Program, a four-week hands-on educational experience for fifteen high school girls interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers in state government. The program is designed to nurture student interest in STEM fields and provide a steppingstone for future leaders in the state. This marks the fifth year of the program, which was created in response to 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.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Lady Cardinal Mentorship Program is a four-week hands-on educational experience for high school girls interested in STEM careers in state government.
  • The program provides a stipend of $1,700 to each participant at the end of the program.
  • Participating state agencies include 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.
  • The program was created based on recommendations from the 2018 Status of Women in NC Employment and Earnings Report, which highlighted the growing disparity in employment and earnings among women and men in North Carolina.
  • The program has already been a steppingstone for over 50 college-bound teens interested in state government STEM careers.
  • The program includes summer enrichment opportunities, including lunch-and-learn sessions and site visits to various state government agencies.
  • Students will work alongside women leaders in state government and partner with other mentees on a group project focused on artificial intelligence.

Statistics:

  • 15 high school girls are participating in the 2025 Lady Cardinal Mentorship Program.
  • The program has already been a steppingstone for over 50 college-bound teens interested in state government STEM careers.
  • The program provides a stipend of $1,700 to each participant at the end of the program.
  • Participating state agencies include 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.

Sources:

  • News release from the North Carolina Department of Administration, July 7, 2025.
  • 2018 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.