How the Carolina Women in Business Empowers The Student Experience at UNC Kenan-Flagler

/ Prospective MBA Students, UNC Kenan-Flagler / By

Student organizations like the Carolina Women in Business (CWIB) play a critical role in MBA programs across the world. As the leader of CWIB, Becca Jordan (UNC Kenan-Flagler, ‘21) leads an organization focused on creating opportunities for professional and personal impact for women at UNC Kenan-Flagler. During our interview, Jordan talked about the role CWIB plays in creating a diverse and inclusive culture at UNC, and how they support female MBA students at UNC Kenan-Flagler.

MBASchooled: What is Carolina Women in Business (CWIB) and what are your goals/mission?

Carolina Women in Business (CWIB) is a student-led organization that works to create lasting professional & personal impact for the women of UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. Together, through events and mentorship, we foster a community for female students to learn, network, and thrive, while also creating a safe space for male allies to learn about how to best support women in business.

At Kenan-Flagler, CWIB is the largest student organization, with over 32% of the student body involved. In 2019, CWIB continued to promote a diverse and inclusive environment by issuing a Gender Climate Survey, hosting new prospective student initiatives, and leading a male ally training series.

This year, CWIB is focused on fostering inclusion and encouraging members to be their best selves. We will promote engagement and belonging for all students in the program by  co-sponsoring events with other MBA clubs, such as the Black Business Student Association and the Consortium, as well as increasing involvement of our international student population. To prepare for the post-quarantine adjustment, CWIB plans to lead engagement in mental health awareness training, so our members can look out for the community at large.

In addition, CWIB will lift up prospective students by creating more touchpoints with the Kenan-Flagler community, and helping first year members with self-discovery and career preparation through mentorship and preparation.

MBASchooled: How does CWIB engage with prospective and current students at UNC Kenan-Flagler?

For prospective students, CWIB offers “Coffee with CWIB,” a meet-up to hear about current female students’ experience at Kenan-Flagler. Our annual Women’s Workshop, an all-day event in the fall following our Women in Business Conference, is another opportunity for prospective students, where they can meet other female applicants and hear from administration on the importance of women in business. CWIB virtually connects through alumni and current student panels, webinars, and social media (Instagram: @CWIB_MBA_KenanFlagler) to provide an inside look at our Carolina community.

For current students, CWIB focuses on the following career, leadership, community service, and social enrichment events,

Career – Corporate presentations, dinners with alumnae, office tours, panels with industry experts, and networking opportunities during the annual Women in Business Conference at Kenan-Flagler

Leadership – CWIB speaker series, alumnae webinars, and prep sessions with students and Career & Leadership prior to the Forte MBA Women’s Leadership Conference

Community Service – One-on-one undergraduate mentoring, undergraduate mock interviews, professional workshops at our local Compass Center for Women and Families, social impact case competitions

Social –  Book club, brunches, faculty dinners, happy hours, Lean In Circles, workout classes, and more!

MBASchooled: What role does CWIB play in fostering a diverse and inclusive environment at UNC Kenan-Flagler?

We see it as our role to lead the efforts in fostering a diverse and inclusive community here at UNC Kenan-Flagler. Our members are involved in leadership positions across the school, which allow us to organize, fund, and promote events that showcase our intersectionality. Events include the Women in Consulting series, yoga classes that are co-hosted by the MBA Social team, and the Race and Allyship Panel, which is co-hosted with the Black Business Student Association. This year, we look forward to more events that increase vulnerability and belonging within the program.

MBASchooled: As President of CWIB, what is your role and what are you focused on?

I like to think I’m the hype wo-man and master connector for the group. I set the strategy for the organization and help remove obstacles for my team to accomplish the club’s directional strategies. As a leader, I embody a servant leadership mindset and bring empathy and stewardship to every CWIB interaction. You will find me leading an all-hands meeting, then creating event invites or talking on the phone to prospective students to help them feel the pulse of our CWIB community. I have the best job because the people I interact with are passionate about #MoreWomenLeading in business.

MBASchooled: What advice do you have for prospective or admitted MBA candidates when selecting a business school?

Select a business school with a strong community, one that expands outside of the cohort and includes those in the year(s) above you. Does the school have formal mentorship programs? Do you see second years hanging on campus during your campus visits? A strong community will expand your network and immediately help you navigate your academic and professional goals.

While looking into Kenan-Flagler, I noticed the authentic relationships between first and second year students. At UNC, it is the “Carolina Way” to learn new things and then turn around and pass on what you learned, the same way those before you did. Through phone calls and campus visits, I met current students that were eager to see me succeed, most of whom I barely knew, and I saw this as a common theme in the program.

Today, the Carolina Way is alive and well, and I hope you’ll come check it out for yourself. Go heels!

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