Cultivating Alaska's next generation of environmental leaders.

We are now accepting application for the 2012 Mentorship Program!  Applications are due February 24, 2012.  Program Starts with mentorship retreat March 24, 2012 at the Birchwood Center in Chugiak.

Thank you for your interest in participating in AWEN's Mentorship Program! This page will provide you with an introduction to our program and guidelines for submitting your application.

Mentorship Program
Now in its third year, AWEN's Mentorship Program matches women in environmental leadership roles (mentors) with people in earlier stages of environmental careers or community action (mentees).

If you answer “yes” to one or more of these questions, this program could be right for you.

• Do you have a deep interest in and commitment to the environment?
• Are you new to Alaska and want to network with and receive guidance from other environmental professionals?
• Are you pursuing an environmental degree or participating as a community activist?
• Are you exploring the next steps of your career toward a leadership role?
• Are you changing careers to the environmental field?

Benefits of the Program

• Building relationships with mentors who have achieved a leadership role and positive reputation in the conservation community.
• Connecting to a diverse group of women and the wider environmental community.
• Gaining educational and professional skills needed to blossom into leadership
• Focused career planning
• At the end of the program mentees share their experience with their peers.

Program Requirements

*    Nine month commitment beginning with mandatory mentorship retreat on March 24. 
*    Two additional required networking meetings, most likely in April and May. 
*    Several meetings with your mentor during the nine month mentorship period. 
*    Complete an end-of-program evaluation. 
*    $50 program fee if accepted.

The program will be more intensive during the first three months, beginning with the mentorship retreat in March, and followed by two required networking meetings in April and May. During the next six months, mentorship pairs and mentorship groups will work independently together. All participants will complete a program evaluation in December. 

In addition, mentees are encouraged to attend community events: these could be scheduled get-togethers for mentorship participants, AWEN social events, mentor-approved trainings, AWEN-recommended educational events, AWEN board meetings, or AWEN service events. Mentees are encouraged to keep a journal.

We will also be offering one $500 scholarship to go toward a training or workshop of the recipient's choice.  Successful scholarship applicants will need to meet all mentorship program requirements and submit a scholarship application.  Scholarship applications and more details will be available in Fall 2012. 

2012 Program Timeline
February 4 – Application period for 2012 program opens
February 24 – Deadline for mentee applications
March 9 – Program acceptance announced                                                                                      
March 24 – Inaugural mentorship retreat at Birchwood Camp in Chugiak

*Note that there may be limited space in the program. We will choose participants based on the information expressed in their letter of interest. 

Please provide a two-page letter of interest addressing the points below and your current résumé.
The letter of interest should include:

1.    A brief biography describing where your personal background and your interest in the environment. 
2.    Why do you want to be part of AWEN's Mentorship program?  What do you want to gain from this experience? 
3.    What are your hobbies and other interests? 
4.    Describe your strengths and areas where you'd like to expand your knowledge or experience. 
5.    Describe where you are in relation to your personal or career goals.

Contact Melanie Smith (440-1964) with any questions. Submit your letter of interest and résumé via email to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with "Mentorship Application Submission" in the subject line by February 24, 2012.