Recently, two SRU students have been working to create a new club on campus. Krislyn Green and Andrea Bauer are the presidents and founders of the Women in Business club at SRU.
Green is a senior majoring in human resource management.
“Andrea and I, we work together on a lot of different things that help really support the club for our members in many ways. We work first-hand with our advisor, Dr. Wajda and several others,” Green said.
Bauer is a sophomore, also majoring in human resource management.
“So far, for Women in Business between Krislyn and I, we’ve mainly been working together towards our hard launch event that’s happening February 25 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom,” Bauer said. “Our goal with the club is really to create some professional networking events as well.”
The Women in Business Club was created to give students on campus the opportunity to learn networking skills, make new connections and grow as individuals.
The organization will offer guest speaker events, workshops and professional development opportunities.
“We actually noticed that other colleges and universities had a Women in Business [club], so we were like, ‘why not try to bring it here to Slippery Rock University?’,” Green said. “We’re really excited. There’s a lot of individuals and students interested in joining, which really makes us happy. We love to see people get excited about their career and professional development.”
The two students wanted to have a club that was inclusive and provided professional opportunities for students on campus.
“We wanted to make [a club with] the goal of it being something a little bit bigger and a lot more community-based with networking, professionals and bringing in alumni. We actually have a Faculty Board of Advisors that…support our club and help us with networking and making these events actually happen,” Bauer said.
Last semester, the students worked to get the club officially approved, and this semester, students can expect various events and meetings within the organization.
Green and Bauer discussed an event that the organization will be hosting called The Women in Business Red Carpet Gala on February 25 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Smith Student Center Ballroom.
The event is open to all individuals to come and experience the launch of the organization. Students will have the opportunity to learn from sponsors of the event and professionals about their experiences in the business field.
“The Red Carpet Event wouldn’t be possible without the support from our sponsors and we are truly thankful. In addition, we are thankful for the individuals that have supported us in planning the event,” Green said.
On January 29, the organization hosted their first general body meeting. Green and Bauer mentioned it was a great turn out and many were excited about the club.
“We basically, during the meeting, went over what to expect this semester, told everybody about our February event and we also bounced ideas off of each other. And we got to know each other, which is nice because this club allows us to connect with students in other majors across the entire School of Business,” Green said.
The organization will meet biweekly in Eisenburg in room 111 or 117, and students from any major are encouraged to join.
If students are interested in joining, they can sign up through CORE to see all the events and meetings posted. The club’s LinkedIn account is “Women in Business,” and their Instagram @sruwomeninbusiness.
“I’m really excited for students to get excited about their careers, build their resume, talk with professionals, network with professionals, overall get excited for their career. I’m hoping this will help them with post-grad opportunities or internships, and…build, hopefully, lifelong friendships,” Green said.
“I would have to say probably, with this club, since it’s so new, the opportunities are really endless, Bauer said. “I mean, when we started it, I don’t think we even had the idea of a Red Carpet Launch event, and now we’re doing it. And we have so many sponsors and students that are interested…so, in regards to the club, I think that it has the potential to really become something bigger,” Bauer said.
Green shared how they feel “really thankful that Slippery Rock University allows students to create organizations that they are really passionate about.” The student founders also deeply appreciate all of the support they’ve received from the Haverlack College of Business faculty and professors.
