Academic Year WesMaSS Program


WesMaSS Colloquium

First-year Scholars enroll in the WesMaSS Colloquium (CIS 121 &122), a weekly seminar for which Scholars earn course credit. Through the Colloquium, Scholars...

  • Meet scientists and mathematicians, learning about their academic and career pathways – and their research
  • Tour labs and other campus facilities for an inside look at projects advancing STEM fields right now
  • Participate in learning strategies workshops
  • Engage in facilitated discussion about their college experience
  • Learn about graduate school, professional school, fellowship opportunities, and career paths in science and math fields  

 

Annual Keynote

It is WesMaSS tradition to invite a distinguished guest speaker to share their story and work with Scholars. Our WesMaSS Keynote Speaker for 2026 is Dr. Thomas Near, Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at Yale University and Bingham Oceanographic Curator of Ichthyology for the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History. His research focuses on North American freshwater fishes and the highly specialized fishes found only in the frigid waters surrounding Antarctica. Professor Near has authored more than 200 published papers and was recently elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. At Yale, he led the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology from 2018 to 2024 and received the Dean's Award for Inclusion and Belonging for his dedication to these values. In his work as an educator, researcher, and university administrator, Professor Near draws upon his experience as a first-generation, low-income student.

 

Community Events

WesMaSS is more than an academic program, it is also a community. Throughout the academic year, Scholars gather for events like apple picking trips, game nights, pumpkin carving, and more. 

 

Research Funding

As Scholars progress in their study of science and math, many will pursue research opportunities under the supervision of a faculty mentor. To facilitate substantive engagement in these projects, WesMaSS makes funding available to Scholars to support their participation in the Wesleyan Summer Science Research program. Through research, WesMaSS Scholars gain experience and skills that will not only serve you in your college courses, but will also prepare you for graduate school, medical school, and other pathways beyond Wesleyan.