Women's Initiative Network
Welcome to WIN!
At ODU WIN, we're dedicated to supporting female students to achieve their career goals. Our network of experienced mentors in healthcare, science, technology, the military, communication, and entrepreneurship provide invaluable guidance. They meet with their mentees on a regular basis, either in person or virtually, to map out their future and open doors. Many of our mentees are first-generation college students and we're here to offer them a clear path to success. Our powerful community of female leaders provides a unique opportunity to elevate the career development of female undergraduate and graduate students at Old Dominion University. Be a part of the success of females of the next generation. Join us!
Marsha K. Hudgins, MBA '76
CEO, Hudgins Contracting
President, ODU WIN
The Purpose Behind WIN
We engage with students around three pillars: education, community, and networking. These core values form the basis of our events throughout the year.
Our Mission
Through our common bond with Old Dominion University (ODU), we empower female students, professionals, and community leaders toward academic, personal, and professional success through mentorship, professional development, networking, community engagement, and philanthropy. Check out our informational video, here.
Our Vision
We envision a world where women's contributions prevail.
Our Values
We are guided by our commitment to relationships, empowerment, engagement, growth, and inclusion.
Speaker Series
The ODU WIN | Women's Initiative Network Speaker Series proudly presents a conversation with Dr. Mae Jemison, an American engineer, physician, and former NASA astronaut
Strategic Areas of Focus
WIN is a platform to accelerate professional development for its female members. Negotiations, personal branding, board placement, executive coaching and more, are strategic areas of focus for WIN program content. WIN also explores unique challenges that women executives encounter in learning, leadership, and organizational culture. WIN sponsors speaker series, programs, and workshops exploring strategies to promote greater organizational equity and provide strong examples for women in leadership roles.
WIN members also create and deliver opportunities to elevate professional development for female students at ODU. Experiential learning includes lunch and learn discussions, leadership development, business etiquette, service learning and much more.
Members of WIN recognize networking as a key tool in advancing executive career paths for women. WIN is a network of women with past and current professional experience that practices advocacy, peer collaboration, and relationship building to shape successful careers and inclusivity in business. WIN programing also encourages networking among female students at ODU, as well as with WIN alumni.
The WIN Endowed Scholarship awards annual tuition support to high achieving and high need female students at ODU. Additionally, the WIN Bridge the Gap initiative helps ODU students with real-life financial challenges. Members also donate gently used professional clothing, shoes, and accessories to Big Blue's Closet, which ensures ODU students have the business attire they need when searching for gainful employment.
WIN presents a variety of programming and resources to the ODU student community annually to support student success. Initiatives include:
- Monarch Student Leadership Academy
- Monthly Lunch & Learn Programs
- Big Blue's Closet
- Business etiquette and professional development annual workshop
- Special student events including the annual Celebrating our Seniors event recognizing WIN mentee graduates
- Engagement with ODU Arts, ODU Athletics, President's Lecture Series, and other campus activities.
WIN is a platform to accelerate professional development for its female members. Negotiations, personal branding, board placement, executive coaching and more, are strategic areas of focus for WIN program content. WIN also explores unique challenges that women executives encounter in learning, leadership, and organizational culture. WIN sponsors speaker series, programs, and workshops exploring strategies to promote greater organizational equity and provide strong examples for women in leadership roles.
WIN members also create and deliver opportunities to elevate professional development for female students at ODU. Experiential learning includes lunch and learn discussions, leadership development, business etiquette, service learning and much more.
Members of WIN recognize networking as a key tool in advancing executive career paths for women. WIN is a network of women with past and current professional experience that practices advocacy, peer collaboration, and relationship building to shape successful careers and inclusivity in business. WIN programing also encourages networking among female students at ODU, as well as with WIN alumni.
The WIN Endowed Scholarship awards annual tuition support to high achieving and high need female students at ODU. Additionally, the WIN Bridge the Gap initiative helps ODU students with real-life financial challenges. Members also donate gently used professional clothing, shoes, and accessories to Big Blue's Closet, which ensures ODU students have the business attire they need when searching for gainful employment.
WIN presents a variety of programming and resources to the ODU student community annually to support student success. Initiatives include:
- Monarch Student Leadership Academy
- Monthly Lunch & Learn Programs
- Big Blue's Closet
- Business etiquette and professional development annual workshop
- Special student events including the annual Celebrating our Seniors event recognizing WIN mentee graduates
- Engagement with ODU Arts, ODU Athletics, President's Lecture Series, and other campus activities.