Club Spotlight: Kania Women in Business

In an occasional series, Royal News spotlights clubs from the university’s 100+ student organizations on campus, speaks to members and offers information on how to connect with the clubs. 

To suggest a club for a future Royal News article, to share ideas or to inform us of any upcoming club events, please email RoyalNews@scranton.edu or elizabeth.vanderneut@scranton.edu.

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Club: Kania Women in Business

Meet: Phoebe Glidewell '26, shown, is an accounting major from Clarks Summit

Role: Executive chair

Connect: @kaniawib

Q: Your club is one of many extracurricular opportunities within the Kania School of Management. How does Kania Women in Business (KWIB) stand out?

The key initiatives of KWIB are professional development, building community, and service to others. I think KWIB’s commitment to building community is what makes it a unique club within KSOM. Many of our meetings are very interactive and people have told me they’ve met their best friends at KWIB meetings. The structure encourages connection and collaboration among women, and it is open to all majors instead of being specific to one major or program.

Q: What is the mission of Kania Women in Business?

To unite women business students, faculty, and alumni of the Kania School of Management with events and programs designed to foster a spirit of empowerment, and to educate the University community about critical issues that women may face in the corporate world.

Q: What, in your opinion, are the most exciting events or activities you present as a club?

This is the second year in a row KWIB has held a meeting that focused on getting to know your major through the eyes of an upperclassman. What we have done in these meetings is break everyone out into tables by major to give all members a chance to meet other women in their major. It is also an opportunity for freshmen and sophomores to learn more about what their program will look like in the coming years. There are so many ideas and skills that can be taken away from this event about topics from professors and classes to interviewing and internships. And on top of that, it is also an easy way to practice networking. It can be daunting to go into a career expo or other event and try to network, so practicing these skills in a comfortable environment is incredibly beneficial for KWIB members. 

Q: Why did you join the club? Why would you recommend someone join?

I joined KWIB when I was a freshman because I wanted to get involved in extracurriculars, and also because I started at Scranton as a business undecided student. It was a great way to meet women in different business majors, and talking to upperclassmen helped me decide on my major. I stayed in KWIB and joined the board because of the amazing community of women and helpful professional development events. I would definitely recommend joining KWIB if you are interested in connecting with other women business students and alumni and growing as a professional in a comfortable and inclusive setting.

Q: Please share the format of a typical meeting. When and where does KWIB meet, and what topics do you discuss? How can someone who is interested find out more about these meetings?

KWIB holds monthly meetings, typically in the Rose Room in Brennan Hall. We base our meetings on our initiatives, so we try to have meetings related to professional development, community and service each semester. To find out more, check out KWIB’s page on RoyalSync! All our past meetings are posted on that page with brief descriptions of what they were. Additionally, all our meetings are posted on Instagram @KaniaWIB. We are also at every student activities fair at the beginning of the semester with information about the club and upcoming meetings!

Q: Any upcoming plans for the spring semester?

KWIB is holding a fundraiser at Panera in April, and the final meeting of the semester will be on Monday, April 28. Our final meetings are pretty casual, and they aim to relieve stress as we approach finals week!

Q: Anything we have not asked about that you’d like to mention?

KWIB is a KSOM club, but we welcome all majors. If you are interested in joining, please contact me at phoebe.glidewell@scranton.edu and I will add you to the email list!