Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy Impact Fund Awards First Grants

Impactful giving. Meaningful engagement. Influential leadership. Amazing learning.

That’s the stated mission of Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy (WWiP), a group founded during the 2018-19 academic year under the leadership of Susan Woodson and Ann Goodnight. This pack of dedicated volunteers was formed to lift up NC State’s mission and drive philanthropic commitments to the university.

Since its inception, WWiP has continued to grow its impact through a number of initiatives, such as panel discussions and webinars, fundraising efforts for Day of Giving and the Pantry Bowl, and developing a pipeline of women for volunteer leadership and board positions across the university.

The group’s most recent development is the Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy Impact Fund, which will support initiatives that empower women and enhance the university experience for everyone in our community. The fund was created by generous philanthropic contributions from WWiP members, including 29 members of the Executive Leadership Committee.

Right now, WWiP is focusing on awarding three $10,000 grants a year, but increased support in the future will allow them to increase the number of grants and how much money they can award — an expansion of the Impact Fund they’re optimistic will happen.

The group awarded the first three grants from the fund in December to the Emerging Leaders Summit, Making Space and the Women in Sport Leadership Initiative.

Learn more about these programs and how they’re planning to use the grant awards to make an extraordinary impact on the campus community and beyond:

Emerging Leaders Summit

The Emerging Leaders Summit first took place in 2024. Organizers sought to facilitate inclusive conversations between NC State’s engineering students and industry professionals, inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Students took part in personal and authentic discussions about their leadership goals and professional ambitions with representatives from more than 40 companies. Nearly 200 students attended the summit, with 78% of those students identifying themselves as part of an underrepresented minority population.

The Emerging Leaders Summit is run by the Women & Minority Engineering Programs, and this year, with funds from the WWiP Impact grant, they’re seeking to expand the impact of the event.

“We are incredibly appreciative of this support from the Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy and are excited about how it will impact our efforts to promote a greater sense of belonging and mattering among our students, especially for women and students from underrepresented populations in Engineering,” says Dr. Javon Adams, Director of the Women & Minority Engineering Program.

“For students, the Summit is a valuable opportunity to interact with professionals from various backgrounds who have navigated the professional spaces students will soon enter, and receive tips and best practices for success in the Engineering profession.”

Funds will be used to cover venue costs, food and other materials for the summit.

Making Space

Hosted by the Libraries Community Engagement Program, Making Space has been making waves since 2015 as a series of public talks and workshops highlighting the work of women in STEM fields.

Making Space seeks to encourage all students, especially women and students underrepresented in STEM fields, “to take on new skills, learn emerging tools, and be creative with technology”, says Greg Raschke, Senior Vice Provost and Director of Libraries.

“Making Space hopes to expand what students envision as possible futures for themselves. Support from the Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy helps the Libraries continue to recruit and support high-profile, inspiring professionals.”

Making Space speakers have worked in augmented reality, biofabrications, game design and more — and several have been notable NC State alumni. The next Making Space series talk is on March 5 featuring Rivian designer, Dalal Elsheikh.

With about six speakers coming to campus each year, the WWiP Impact Grant will be used to pay speakers, provide workshop materials and promote the events to a wider audience.

Powering the Extraordinary: Women in Sport Leadership Initiative Spring Series

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management and NC State Athletics came together to kick off the Women in Sport Leadership Summit in 2022 — but thanks to the WWiP Impact Grant, the summit is expanding to become the Women in Sport Leadership Initiative Spring Series.

The summit was initially developed from both an undergraduate and graduate student project, spearheaded by Dr. Kimberly A. Bush and alumna Ashley Correa ’19, ’23. The initiative will continue to be driven by current students’ vision. Now with the added expertise of Dr. Bryan Clift, Assistant Professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, as well as the WWiP Impact Grant, the Women in Sports Leadership Initiative will include a series of academic speakers, adding a valuable research dimension.

This series will include a speaker series, mentoring program, sport clinic and networking event, all of which will feature partnerships with other organizations and local colleges to expand the impact. This year’s summit will take place on April 14 and will provide opportunities for students, faculty and staff from NC State and regional universities, as well as the community, centered around Women and Sport.