Women's Initiative Network
Welcome to WIN!
At ODU WIN, we're dedicated to supporting female students to achieve their career goals. Our network of experienced mentors in healthcare, science, technology, the military, communication, and entrepreneurship provide invaluable guidance. They meet with their mentees on a regular basis, either in person or virtually, to map out their future and open doors. Many of our mentees are first-generation college students and we're here to offer them a clear path to success. Our powerful community of female leaders provides a unique opportunity to elevate the career development of female undergraduate and graduate students at Old Dominion University. Be a part of the success of females of the next generation. Join us!
Marsha K. Hudgins, MBA '76
CEO, Hudgins Contracting
President, ODU WIN
![Headshot of Marsha Hudgins Headshot of Marsha Hudgins](/orgs/win/_jcr_content/par/section_1356262168/columns_1813813834/column_1/image.img.520.jpg/1697226461250.jpg)
Our Mission
Through our common bond with Old Dominion University (ODU), we empower female students, professionals, and community leaders toward academic, personal, and professional success through mentorship, professional development, networking, community engagement, and philanthropy. Check out our informational video, here.
Our Vision
We envision a world where women's contributions prevail.
Our Values
We are guided by our commitment to relationships, empowerment, engagement, growth, and inclusion.
![WIN Logo WIN Logo](/orgs/win/_jcr_content/par/section_1356262168/columns/column_1/image.img.520.jpg/1636051323645.jpg)
Strategic Areas of Focus
WIN members take an active role in mentoring female students at ODU. The WIN Mentoring Program, established in 2014, matches aspiring female students with its members to develop mentees' leadership and interpersonal skills and access career pathways for female students.
The WIN program is an exceptional source of empowerment for collegiate women. Through this program, Mrs. Broderick and other members paved a path of exciting opportunities, for many female students to experience self-love, professional enhancement, and personal success on their journey through young adult womanhood.
WIN has been an invaluable tool in my college career. It has allowed me to develop my social skills, along with enhancing my professionalism outside of the classroom and, ultimately, improving my character and self-confidence, beyond measure. The encouragement we have received and the growth we have experienced, as a result of being a part of this program, will follow us into our careers and for the rest of our lives.
The experience has truly been incredible. This was nothing I could have ever thought would be happening in my life. My mentor Marsha Hudgins is an amazing woman. Not only because of what her resume holds but mostly because of her incredible character. She is so laid back and wants to help me to be a successful student and be prepared for the future. She truly cares about me and wants the best for me. She truly has the heart of a mother and having her as a mentor is something I appreciate and will cherish for the rest of my life.
WIN is a platform to accelerate professional development for its female members. Negotiations, personal branding, board placement, executive coaching and more, are strategic areas of focus for WIN program content. WIN also explores unique challenges that women executives encounter in learning, leadership, and organizational culture. WIN sponsors speaker series, programs, and workshops exploring strategies to promote greater organizational equity and provide strong examples for women in leadership roles.
WIN members also create and deliver opportunities to elevate professional development for female students at ODU. Experiential learning includes lunch and learn discussions, leadership development, business etiquette, service learning and much more.
Members of WIN recognize networking as a key tool in advancing executive career paths for women. WIN is a network of women with past and current professional experience that practices advocacy, peer collaboration, and relationship building to shape successful careers and inclusivity in business. WIN programing also encourages networking among female students at ODU, as well as with WIN alumni.
October 19, 2023: ODU WIN Lunch & Learn | Turning Experiences into Employment Skills
The WIN Endowed Scholarship awards annual tuition support to high achieving and high need female students at ODU. Additionally, the WIN Bridge the Gap initiative helps ODU students with real-life financial challenges. Members also donate gently used professional clothing, shoes, and accessories to Big Blue's Closet, which ensures ODU students have the business attire they need when searching for gainful employment.
WIN presents a variety of programming and resources to the ODU student community annually to support student success. Initiatives include:
- Monarch Student Leadership Academy
- Monthly Lunch & Learn Programs
- Big Blue's Closet
- Business etiquette and professional development annual workshop
- Special student events including the annual Celebrating our Seniors event recognizing WIN mentee graduates
- Engagement with ODU Arts, ODU Athletics, President's Lecture Series, and other campus activities.