IWIL
 

Institute for Women in Leadership

Research in the Journal of College Student Development shows that many women leaders learned their most valued skills by taking on roles in community service projects. It also shows that women who make a difference on college campuses are encouraged by one-on-one relationships with special mentors. And whether they pursue careers in business, education, or public service, they probably first found their voice as campus leaders.

Brevard College's Institute for Women in Leadership (IWIL) fosters growth academically, socially and personally, with specific programs tailored to women who want to make a difference in the world.
 
Our Mission: IWIL is a residential learning community that fosters confident, inquisitive young women with a passion for local service. Through mentoring and experiential leadership programs, IWIL women develop into Brevard College leaders ready to also serve their communities upon graduation.

IWIL women live together in the same residence hall and share a lounge. The IWIL (We pronounce it "I will!") journey begins with residents decorating their common space and  learning the skills necessary to live together and build community. "Living together makes us a tightly knit community, where we actually learn from each other and are more available and open to one another," said Katie Kelleher, from Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

The journey continues in four one-hour courses, where students develop community-oriented projects with the help of a professor. For example, IWIL women interviewed women who have survived a domestic abuse situation; they then worked with a theater professor to turn the transcripts into a play."

"Designing the script for Forget Me Not has provided me with a great deal of opportunities to grow and learn. The interview and transcription process will greatly help me in the future," said recent graduate Megan Murph. "Because I want to continue my education in Musicology, knowing how to conduct an interview and such when I'm researching a music history topic in grad school just might come in handy!"

The co-curricular part of the IWIL journey includes a three-tier mentoring program. IWIL sophomores meet with adults in the western North Carolina community to talk about their dreams and career goals; incoming IWIL women are introduced into the program by sophomores;  and they work in a program with sixth grade girls at the local middle school. "The thought of being able to make a difference in the lives of young women is what motivates me to keep on going.  I want nothing more than to inspire and move others," said Jennifer Novoa from Miami, Florida.

Special programs continue all year. In addition to our own Fall Banquet, the Holiday Talent Show, and a Closing Celebration, IWIL hosted a Get Out the Vote rally, a yoga and relaxation session, a meeting with the first African American mayor of Asheville, and a resume-writing workshop, to name a few.

IWIL is "one example of Brevard College putting into action its motto of "Learn in Order to Serve".  "This program has the potential to shape future women leaders for our state and country."

For more information contact Margaret Brown at mbrown@brevard.edu

Ki’era Gash helps build a wheelchair ramp during a spring break service trip.

Mattie Carruth works with a student at Brevard Middle School in the mentoring program.

 

IWIL 121

IWIL Workshop    1 Hr
This is a projects class, the content of which depends upon the BC faculty teaching it. Regardless of the subject matter, professors facilitate a workshop—a field trip, a laboratory, a performance, a demonstration, a series of oral histories, a theatrical presentation, an art installation, the creation of a publication—that develops student leadership skills. Over the course of the semester, students will have opportunities for shared decision-making and leadership; involvement in the larger community; a public presentation; and group reflection about the project and the leadership of it. Prerequisite: must be accepted in the IWIL program. Course may be taken four times under different workshop titles.

 

 

IWIL Documents

 


 

Read More About Women in Leadership

Gilligan, Carol. (1993). In a different voice: Psychological theory and women's development. Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University Press.

Komives, S.R. Owen, J.E. Longerbeam, S. Mainella, F.C. and Osteen, L. (2005). Developing a leadership identity: A grounded theory. Journal of College Student Development 6 (593-611).

Romano. C.R. (1995) A qualitative study of women student leaders. Journal of College Student Development, 37 (6) 676-683.

Senge, Peter. (1990) The Fifth Discipline: the art and practice of the learning organization. New York: Doubleday.