Women's Network Awards $31.5K to 17 Design Students

Seventeen college students pursuing careers in furniture design, architecture, and textile management just got a financial boost and a front-row seat to their future careers.

WithIt, a women's leadership network for the home furnishings industry, awarded $31,500 in scholarships this year to students from 12 universities across the country. The recipients study everything from industrial design at the University of Cincinnati to fashion and textile management at NC State University.

The money helps with tuition, but the real magic happens at the annual conference. Each scholarship winner gets a free trip to meet industry leaders, attend professional workshops, and connect with potential mentors and employers.

This year's conference in Kansas City, Missouri brought 14 students together for a special dinner with industry professionals from companies like Sunbrella and Tempur Sealy. University of Houston student Aliyah Boly said hearing real career stories meant more than any textbook lesson. "I'm coming back with a full notebook, a lot of people I want to stay in touch with and ready for the upcoming semester," she said.

The program tackles a real problem: attracting young people to an industry they might never have considered. Many students don't realize how many creative career paths exist in home furnishings beyond retail sales.

Funding came from the HHG Charitable Trust, which donated $50,000, and the Boardman Family Foundation. WithIt operates as a nonprofit foundation, funneling every dollar directly into student support and professional development opportunities.

The Ripple Effect

The numbers tell a powerful story about investment paying off. Since 1999, WithIt has distributed more than $340,000 in scholarships to students across 24 universities. An impressive 94% of recipients stay in the home furnishings industry after graduation.

Many former scholarship winners now run their own businesses or lead major companies in the field. They got their start through the same program now supporting today's students.

Executive Director Amy Van Dorp calls the scholarships "an important pipeline" for the industry. By connecting students with professionals early, the program helps young people visualize careers they might never have imagined.

The investment creates a cycle of mentorship and opportunity that strengthens the entire industry, one student at a time.