Women Walking West (W3), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, strives to help foreign-born students lead successful lives in the United States. Their extensive mentorship program assists women struggling with linguistic, social, cultural and academic differences in American society. But it’s more than just academics. Mentees who complete the W3 program enter schools and workplaces with rejuvenated confidence and a sense of community. In celebration of their 10th anniversary, we chatted with two graduates of the W3 mentee program.
Olga Klochkov
How did you get involved with Women Walking West?
I heard about the organization through a friend who worked as a student career advisor at Miami University. At that time, I was teaching ESOL classes through the Aspire Program for immigrant residents of Butler County, helping others like me who were navigating their new lives in the United States. I came to the United States from Belarus as an international student, and I quickly realized how challenging the cultural differences were to my studies. The United States has a completely different academic and professional culture that I had to adapt to. Having a support system dedicated to helping women overcome these challenges was exactly what I needed.
What was the most helpful part of your experience?
The most valuable part of my experience was the incredible people I met, especially my mentor, Judy Lightner-Noll. She is an educator and a career coach who works with professionals in higher education, which made her the perfect match for me. Having someone who understood the complexities of navigating academia as a foreigner was incredibly reassuring. Judy’s guidance helped me adapt to the U.S. educational system and provided me with practical advice to help me achieve my goals. I felt seen, understood and supported—something I had been craving since I came to the United States.
Do you have any fond memories you’d like to share?
One of my fondest memories was the Camp Joy training day. It was beautifully organized, and we were challenged to think creatively, solve problems and work as a team. The tasks were fun but also pushed us out of our comfort zones and helped us realize our strengths. As an immigrant from Belarus who had already overcome many challenges, it was incredibly empowering to see how far I had come. I left feeling inspired and more connected to the women around me.
Would you recommend Women Walking West to other international students?
I would highly recommend Women Walking West to international students who are trying to find their way in a foreign land. The truth is, colleges and universities often lack the resources and personalized attention needed to help international students acclimate and thrive in such a different educational environment. Women Walking West offers something truly unique: personal, one-on-one attention and ongoing follow-up that continues until the mentee achieves her goals.
Prekshya Nepal
How did your journey with Women Walking West begin?
My journey with Women Walking West began as a student looking for guidance and support. What interested me most was the organization’s mission to help women like me navigate not only academic challenges but also the cultural and personal adjustments that come with being far from home.
What part of your experience was most helpful to you?
The mentorship—having someone I could turn to for advice and encouragement made a huge difference. It gave me confidence and helped me feel less alone during difficult transitions. That genuine care and encouragement had a lasting impact on me.
What is your favorite Women Walking West event?
The annual gala is my favorite event. I love hearing the stories from mentees—they are always inspiring and show the real impact of the organization. I also had the honor of speaking at the gala, which was a very special moment for me.
What inspired you to continue to be a part of the organization after completing your mentee program?
I wanted to give back. I knew how much the support meant to me, and I wanted to help other women feel the same encouragement and guidance that I received. I also saw how much impact Women Walking West has in building confidence and creating opportunities for international women. Being part of that mission and contributing to the growth of others has been incredibly fulfilling and it continues to inspire me.
Can you describe the process of how you became a Board Member?
After staying involved with the organization and seeking every opportunity to get involved, founder Dr. George Sehi reached out to me with this opportunity. We had conversations about how I could contribute further, and after that, I was formally nominated, went through the selection process with the current Board Members and was elected after receiving their votes.
Learn more about W3 at WomenWalkingWest.org.
10 Years of Women Walking West
Celebrating Achievements by the Numbers
- Since its 2015 inception, Women Walking West has helped more than 250 women with their educational goals + dreams.
- They have served women from 59 different countries.
- They have over 170 volunteers, as mentors, advisors, event coordinators, IT specialists + marketing coordinators assisting with daily tasks.
- They have 14 university + K-12 partners.
- They have 10 returning corporate sponsors.
- To date, W3 has given more than $70,000 in scholarships + cash awards to mentees.
- To date, they have received 14 grants from private foundations + corporations.
- They have held 5 Annual Gala fundraising events at the Manor House, hosting an average of 450 mentees, mentors, donors, corporate sponsors, city representatives + community members.
- They’ve also held 4 annual essay writing contests, awarding winners with cash prizes.
- April 9 has been declared Women Walking West Day in the City of Mason.
“Women Walking West offers something truly unique: personal, one-on-one attention and ongoing follow-up that continues until the mentee achieves her goals.” - Olga Klochkov