The Fall 2025 semester at the Institute for Women’s Leadership has been nothing short of inspiring. From the first week of August to our final moments together in December, our community embraced learning, leadership, connection, and empowerment in every form. As we wrap up an exciting semester, we’re thrilled to celebrate the incredible programs, events, and conversations that brought our campus together and continued to strengthen the mission of IWL at Nichols College.
We kicked off the academic year with energy and enthusiasm during Welcome Week. On August 25, students joined us at the “Mocktail Mixer” co-hosted with the Office of Student Belonging—a perfect evening on Shamie Quad filled with music, colorful drinks, and new friendships. The following day, the campus honored Women’s Equality Day with an engaging event in Lombard that highlighted the ongoing importance of gender equity. We closed out August with our IWL Welcome Meeting on August 21, which set the tone for a year of growth and community building by introducing students to our programming, leadership opportunities, and the values that anchor our work.
September brought momentum, sunshine, and a strong start to one of this semester’s favorite recurring programs: the Drive Confidence Golf Clinic. Held weekly at Dudley Hill Golf Course, these clinics created a welcoming space for women to learn golf fundamentals while building confidence, a skill that translates both on and off the course. Our Monthly General Meeting on September 11 brought everyone back together in the IWL Suite, and later that month, our Real Talk session on “Confidence in the Classroom & Career” featured Professors Curin, Beaupre, and Krumsiek. Their candid insights helped students navigate academic challenges while envisioning their future professional paths. On September 25, we enjoyed our first Leadership Luncheon of the semester with alumna Alice Mullen-Rusin, MBA ’14, who shared her journey and left students feeling inspired and motivated.
October continued the momentum with a mix of advocacy, education, and fun. On October 1, the Women’s Advocacy & Research team hosted a spirited Tie-Dye for Breast Cancer Awareness event, turning Nikon Plaza into a swirl of pink creativity. On the evening of the 14th, we welcomed special guest Sue Melvin, VP of Human Resources at King Arthur Baking, to our Monthly General Meeting. Her warmth, leadership wisdom, and engaging stories brought incredible value to our students. The month wrapped up on a sweet note with our “Make Your Own Chocolate Bar” social on October 29 for a night full of creativity, laughter, and much-needed mid-semester joy.
November offered powerful opportunities for professional development and community connection. We began with a Leadership Luncheon on November 6, featuring Christy Cashman, author of The Truth About Horses. Her perspective as a creative professional added a new dimension to our leadership discussions. On November 9, students visited the LOFT store in Millbury for a fashion-focused outing centered on dressing with confidence and expressing personal style in professional spaces. Our November Monthly General Meeting on the 13th welcomed Professor Nikki Anderson, who led a meaningful discussion on World Kindness. Her message reminded us how small acts of care and awareness can strengthen both leadership and community.
Finally, December brought us together one last time before finals season. Our December 3 Monthly General Meeting offered space to reflect, celebrate accomplishments, and look ahead to another promising semester.
As we close out Fall 2025, we are incredibly proud of the community we continue to build. Thank you to every student, faculty member, guest speaker, and partner who contributed to the success of this semester. Your energy and engagement make the Institute for Women’s Leadership a vibrant and supportive space for all. We cannot wait to see what the spring semester will bring!
