Getting WithIt

At the end of July, the WithIt Women’s Leadership Development Network announced fifteen scholarship recipients for students studying for degrees in the home and furnishing industry across the country. Five University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design students received awards to further their studies and had the opportunity to travel to Kansas City, Missouri, to attend the WithIt Professional Conference. There, they connected with industry professionals, explored leadership development opportunities, and gained invaluable insight into how their design education intersects with real-world practice.

Olivia Salinas, a fifth-year architecture student, enjoyed attending the conference because of the networking and leadership development sessions. Learning how to build genuine connections in today’s digitally focused world in a seminar helped her draw parallels to her own design interests.

“One aspect of architecture I am most interested in is how the built environment can facilitate strong interpersonal connections between its users and combat the loneliness epidemic,” she said, relating the knowledge she learned to her future profession. The insights she gained will help her build a framework for navigating professional relationships after graduation.

A two-time recipient of the scholarship, Paige Holmes attended the conference in 2023, grateful for the tools and resources she gained. At the conference, she was able to have professional headshots taken, an endeavor that can generally be too costly for college students. She loved her photos so much, she still uses them for her profiles and on LinkedIn.

While the development sessions proved useful, the opportunity to travel helped students broaden their horizons and gain a deeper understanding of their studies. Fourth-year architecture student Esther Umoh’s highlights included touring the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. She explained, “Seeing buildings we have studied in studio come to life in person was truly epic. It was an inspiring moment that connected my academic journey with real-world design.”

For all of these students, the scholarships provide more than just funding for their education. It also gave them support in the form of community and strengthened their design ambitions, propelling them forward on their journeys.

“Receiving this scholarship means entering a strong network of supportive women and expanding my knowledge of the various home industries and how they interact with the architectural field,” Salinas said. “This scholarship will support my final year of my bachelor’s degree, including my thesis on multigenerational cohousing, and my continued path to licensure.”

Umoh added, “This scholarship reminds me that support extends beyond the walls of our college and even beyond the architecture industry. There are organizations and individuals genuinely invested in empowering students and supporting women across different disciplines. That kind of encouragement is incredibly meaningful and pushes me to keep going.”

Holmes also hopes to use part of her award to pursue licensure while maintaining the connections she and her peers have built at the conference. Professionals they met with offered mentorship and insight into their career trajectories, enlightening students about the possibilities after they complete their studies.

Inspired by the generosity of the organization, Salinas plans to pay it forward by working hard and sharing her knowledge with the next generation of designers. These students will bring back new skills, fresh perspectives, and a deeper sense of purpose as the fall semester begins. The WithIt scholarship and conference provided them with tools to navigate the professional world, fostered meaningful relationships, and reinforced the value of community in design.