Dear INFORMS Community,
We are excited to invite applications for the 2026 cohort of "To My Younger Self" (TMYS), a mentoring program for PhD students sponsored by the INFORMS Forum for Women in OR/MS (WORMS). This program is specifically designed for IE/OR/MS PhD students in their third year or beyond, who are interested in pursuing careers in academia or industry.
Application Details
Deadline: February 20, 2026
Required Documents:
- Statement of Purpose (Max. 2 Pages): Please describe your interest in joining this program, your professional goals, and the level of mentoring support available to you at your home institution.
Approximately 10 qualified applicants will be selected and notified by March 9, 2026.
Additional details about the program are provided below.
About TMYS
Launched as part of the INFORMS DEI Ambassadors initiative (now organized by WORMS), TMYS provides professional development opportunities through online workshops, one-on-one mentoring, and in-person activities. The program's name reflects its mission: to provide participants with the kind of mentoring and career guidance that seasoned faculty and industry professionals often wish they had received earlier in their careers. At the conclusion of this year-long program, participants will:
- Build a peer community of underrepresented STEM students across institutions.
- Develop a network of mentors and advocates within the IE/OR/MS community.
- Gain professional and self-care skills.
- Feel empowered and confident in their ability to thrive in the IE/OR/MS profession.
Program Highlights
- Virtual Workshops: Five to six 1-hour online sessions covering topics, e.g., networking, collaboration in academia and industry, work-life balance, and academic writing.
- One-on-One Mentoring: Students will be paired with established mentors who have a proven track record of supporting professional growth.
- Presentations: Participants will present their research and improve presentation skills.
- In-Person Celebration: Mentees and mentors attending the 2026 INFORMS Annual Meeting will be invited to a celebratory dinner the evening before the conference begins.
Organizing Committee
The TMYS 2026 organizing committee includes:
Muge Capan, Assistant Professor of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, UMass-Amherst (mcapan@umass.edu)
We look forward to receiving your applications!
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Rachael Alfant
Postdoctoral Appointee
Sandia National Laboratories
Albuquerque NM
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