Advanced Immersion and Mentoring

The AIM Program

The Advanced Immersion and Mentoring (AIM) Scholars Summer program instills an increased sense of confidence and belonging within incoming first-year students. It is delivered in two formats: a residential five-week experience, as well as a virtual one-week experience.

The residential five-week AIM Summer Scholars program is a fully-funded experience on campus before classes start, and is exclusively for entering first-year students from widely diverse backgrounds. Scholars participating in this experience will work with faculty and peer mentors in active and ongoing research, or collaborate on an exciting new project in a specific discipline.

The virtual one-week AIM Summer Scholars program also occurs before the start of classes. This offering engages students in a variety of sessions to address academic opportunities and resources, exercises in leadership development, and tips and tools to support an increased sense of belonging and overall well-being at W&L. Students selected for this experience are expected to move into their residence hall for additional programming and meet-and-greets with various W&L faculty and staff. Students will also have the opportunity to connect with their fellow scholars, and get a head start on familiarizing themselves with campus and other resources.

Some highlights of both experiences include:

• Engaging in discussions and activities related to leadership education, careers and professional development, and the transition to college
• An overview of how to access and utilize support resources (academic and otherwise)
• Discussions and community-building opportunities led by current students
• Meet and greet sessions with student leaders, deans, and directors across student life
• A stipend for all scholars, whether participating in the residential or virtual program

Applications for the AIM Summer Scholars program open in the spring for newly admitted students.