Scholarship program provides $31,500 in tuition support along with mentoring, networking and career connections
HIGH POINT, N.C., Aug. 24, 2026 — WithIt (Women In The Home Furnishings Industry Today), the women’s leadership development network for the home and furnishings industry, has announced 17 recipients of academic scholarships awarded through the WithIt Scholarship Foundation for university and community college tuition in varying amounts.
In total, the WithIt Scholarship Foundation is distributing $31,500 in scholarship funds this year. The nonprofit foundation received $50,000 from the HHG Charitable Trust and an additional donation from the Boardman Family Foundation to assist with the distribution of scholarship funds to students in need.
The WithIt Scholarship Foundation, a 501(c)(3), has awarded more than $340,000 in scholarships since 1999 to students pursuing majors related to the home and furnishings industry, making WithIt the top distributor of scholarships for careers that feed the industry. These diverse scholarship recipients from over 24 universities across the country have a 94% retention rate in the home furnishings industry.
In addition to the monetary scholarship, recipients receive an invitation to attend the WithIt annual professional conference, a WithIt student membership and the opportunity to be matched with a mentor. This year’s conference took place Aug. 12-14 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Attracting young talent is an industry-wide challenge that WithIt works to address through tuition scholarships and opportunities for students to build connections within the home furnishings industry. By bringing students to the conference and creating opportunities to connect with women already working in the industry, the program exposes students to potential career paths and builds relationships with industry professionals.
“The scholarships provided through the WithIt Scholarship Foundation are an important pipeline we are building for the industry,” said Amy Van Dorp, Executive Director of WithIt. “The HHG Charitable Trust grant includes attendance at our annual professional conference gives students an incredible opportunity to meet industry leaders and make connections that can lead to internships, employment and mentorship. Meeting people in the industry allows us to introduce students to the many career opportunities within home furnishings and help them envision a future here. Our historical data shows the impact these scholarships have on the industry as a whole. Many past recipients are now business owners and industry leaders who were given a head start through WithIt.”
As part of this year’s conference experience, WithIt hosted a student dinner Aug. 12 attended by 14 students. The dinner provided an opportunity for students to hear from industry professionals about the home furnishings industry and to begin building their professional networks.
Guests participating in the dinner included Daylyn Bellamy of J.B. Hunt Final Mile, CeCe Flores of Sunbrella, Dana Helms of Nationwide Marketing Group, Courtney Huffman of Valdese Weavers, Morgan March of Wildwood Home, Serena Martin of 24/7 Creative Agency, Leigh Morrison of Tempur Sealy and Shyanne Setzer of Valdese Weavers.
Student attendees were also introduced to the broader conference audience during the event.
Students said the conference experience gave them new perspectives on the industry and opportunities to build relationships with professionals and peers.
“A lot of this industry is still ahead of me, so hearing how people actually got where they are meant more than any panel could have,” said Aliyah Boly, a University of Houston student. “I’m coming back with a full notebook, a lot of people I want to stay in touch with and ready for the upcoming semester.”
“Every person I talked to was more than willing to pass on the knowledge and expertise they’ve gained through years of experience,” said Melia Foster, a Savannah College of Art and Design student. “I’m incredibly grateful to the WithIt Foundation for showing me what it feels like to be in a room of amazing women supporting one another.”
“Being surrounded by women who have built meaningful careers in the design industry gave me a new perspective on the possibilities ahead and motivated me to continue growing as a future interior designer,” said Isabella Herrarte Smith, a Virginia Commonwealth University student. “I’m returning home with new knowledge, meaningful connections and inspiration that I’m excited to bring into my education and future career.”
This year’s scholarship recipients represent 12 universities:
Olga Abadi Nakach
Furniture Design, Savannah College of Art and Design
Noor Abdulrahman
Architecture, University of Houston
Mary Barone
Industrial Design, University of Cincinnati
Aliyah Boly
Architecture, University of Houston
Melia Foster
Furniture Design, Savannah College of Art and Design
Sarah Furches
Fashion & Textile Management, NC State University
Leila Goetsch
Interior Architecture, University of NC Greensboro
Maggie Harrell
Interior Design, Randolph Community College
Triniti Henderson
Architecture, Clemson University
Isabella Herrarte Smith
Interior Design, Virginia Commonwealth University
Hailey Ingram
Interior Design, Randolph Community College
Natalie Krinke
Home Product Development, Fashion Institute of Technology
Ava McRorie
Fashion & Textile Management, NC State University
Christy Perkins
Fashion & Textile Management, NC State University
Audrey Perry
Interior Design, Florida State University
Alana Tucker
Industrial Design, University of Cincinnati
Destiny Webster
Interior Design, High Point University
MEDIA CONTACT:
Amy Van Dorp
336-880-2188
director@withit.org
About WithIt
WithIt (Women In The Home Furnishings Industry Today) is the women’s leadership development network for the home and furnishings industry. Founded in 1997 on the core belief that women should play a major role in the growth and development of the home furnishings and retail industries, WithIt has grown to include an international membership of innovators, influencers, thought leaders and senior executives from leading home furnishings brands and retailers. The nonprofit organization works to uplift women through relationship building, networking, education, mentoring and leadership opportunities. The WithIt Scholarship Foundation, a 501(c)(3), provides scholarships to students pursuing majors related to the home and furnishings industry, as well as to professional women in the industry pursuing continuing education. WithIt’s work to create opportunities for women leaders and support women throughout their careers is made possible in part by national sponsors that are active partners in the organization’s growth, including ANDMORE, Tempur Sealy, Myriad Software, FurnitureDealer.net, J.B. Hunt Final Mile, Serta Simmons, Synchrony Bank and more.
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