Top Students Attend Annual WithIt Conference
Furniture World News Desk on
8/13/2018
WithIt, the women’s leadership development network, recently hosted its annual professional conference in Charleston, S.C. earlier this summer. The organization welcomed twenty-two students to Charleston who received scholarships thanks to a $20,000 grant from AHFA’s Furniture Foundation. The students came from eleven schools and six different states. The scholarships funded an all-expenses paid trip to the conference and a student membership in WithIt. Conference participation afforded students the opportunity to meet and network with women from the industry while building upon skills they can use in their pursuit of a career within the industry.
The networking among industry professionals and ability to “meet women who were genuinely invested in helping students was a key benefit,” said Addie Gantt, a student from High Point University. Student Annina Fremgen, from Kendall College of Art, referred to this element of the conference as an “inspiring experience — to learn from and be within reach of so many successful women…and become part of a greater community.” Whether it was a future mentor or employer, Megan Barrett, WithIt’s Scholarship Vice President, reflected “each student was able to connect with a professional during the conference, which is the ultimate goal.”
The conference content and speakers helped unveil “real world information and trends that helped put context to the hard skills I have learned in the classroom,” said Fremgen. Student Addie Gantt also found the speakers insightful, especially “Kathryn Bingham’s session on elevating your presence…[which I] will carry with me in my professional career.” Students also attended facilitated dinners and participated in discussions about their individual goals and visions.
This opportunity would not have been possible for many recipients without the scholarship, cited Annina Fremgen, who is also a Celia Moh Scholarship recipient. “WithIt being able to host twenty-two students was truly a rewarding feeling,” said Barrett. From the moment of receiving the scholarship, students expressed gratitude for the experience. Representing the Board of Directors, Barrett found “the students who attended the conference are truly inspiring, not only because of their skills and accomplishments, but also their passion and excitement about the home furnishings industry. Students like these bring fresh energy to the industry.”
The 2018 recipients and conference attendees included: Christina Brown, The University North Carolina at Greensboro, Interior Architecture; Keying Chen, Kendall College of Art and Design, Furniture Design; Elise Crawford, Appalachian State University, Interior Design; Emily Doll, Randolph Community College, Interior Design; Busola Duroshola, Philadelphia University, Textile Design; Annina Fremgen, Kendall College of Art + Design, Furniture Design; Addison Gantt, High Point University, Visual Merchandising Design; Alyssa Gerasimoff, Rhode Island School of Design, Furniture Design; Mary Campbell Gray, Mississippi State University, Interior Design; Madison Greene, Appalachian State University, Industrial Design/Product Design; Jasmine Gutbrod, Rhode Island School of Design, Furniture Design; Lauren Hopper, Meredith College, Interior Design; Kaitlin Huguley, Mississippi State University, Interior Design/Architecture; Yi-En Lee, New York School of Interior Design, Interior Design; Audrey Mangum, Appalachian State University, Interior Design; Darby Mangum, Appalachian State University, Interior Design; Megan Morrow, Randolph Community College, Interior Design; Ashley Odom, High Point University, Interior Design; Marley Rush, Meredith College, Interior Design; Holly Yao, Fashion Institute of Technology, SUNY, Home Products Development.
In 2011 WithIt began their annual program of bringing Rising Leaders to the professional conference. Since then, over 115 students have been impacted by this program. Many have found internships and jobs through connections made at the conference. Students are hand-picked by their university professors who identify them as achievers that can benefit from the high-level learning and networking that takes place.
WithIt will host a Student Mentoring Day on Wednesday, October 17th. The Mentoring Day program has welcomed over 12,000 sophomore and junior students to market for a half day of round tables and showroom tours.
More about WithIt: WithIt was formed in 1997 to support women in the home and furnishings industries, and to bring awareness to the need for more female influences in the industries. In recent years, WithIt has filled the need for education and leadership development as women rise in their careers. This non-profit network is strongly supported by leading companies across the industries, including their Vision and Platinum sponsors: International Market Centers, Heritage Home Group, MicroD and Myriad Software and Twin Star Home. WithIt’s purpose is to encourage and develop leadership, mentoring, education and networking opportunities for professional women in the home and furnishings industries.