��91��Ƭ�� Women's Council

The ��91��Ƭ�� Women’s Council (AWC) was established in 2018 to meet the demand for women’s advocacy, development, and empowerment at Alvernia. The Council reflects the needs and aspirations of women within the ��91��Ƭ�� community.

The mission of the AWC is threefold:

To foster the personal and professional development of Alvernia women at all life stages
To strengthen Alvernia women’s connection to each other and Alvernia
To educate and inspire women to pursue or grow in leadership roles.

Since its inception, the AWC has spearheaded numerous programs, including the AWC Fall Luncheon, the AWC mentorship program, on-campus student programs focused on personal and professional development, quarterly networking events and cultivation events are meant to inspire and strengthen the engagement of AWC members to each other and the University.

The AWC has an established partnership with the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance’s program to leverage and enhance programs and opportunities available to its members in the Greater Reading community.

Membership is open to the entire Alvernia community and everyone is welcome to participate. Individuals who participate in four or more programs, events, meetings or other activities annually would be considered active members. Members may include, but not limited to, Alvernia students, alumni, faculty/staff, volunteers, community members, parents, Leadership Berks graduates. Participation in AWC can be done virtually, in person or both. You do not need to reside in Berks County or surrounding communities to participate.

In This Section

��91��Ƭ�� Women's Council

2025 Invest In You: Growth Mastermind

Purpose: Ongoing monthly learning, support and collaboration of likeminded business professionals who lead full and whole lives at home and at work.
Meetings: Two meetings per month — in person at the Upland Center and virtually on Zoom — for six months. In-person meetings include refreshments and drinks. The tentative start date is Tuesday, January 28.
Objectives
- Know Thyself: Identity and Empowerment
- Self Care & Stress Reduction: Filling the Tool Box Power of Voice, Communication & Conflict Resolution Leadership Development
- Boundaries & Promotion in the Workplace
- Best Practices: Focus on Growth & Success
Investment: $497* (one or two payments)
Includes: One 75-minute personal coaching/strategy session; welcome pack, including journal, workbook, community bonus gifts

*NOTE: As professional development, can be considered a business expense or may be covered by employer.

Invest In Yourself Leadership Summit

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Save the Date for 2025 Leadership Summit: Friday, September 5, 2025, at the Redner’s Event Center.
2024 Leadership Summit program

Bernardine Legacy Award Luncheon

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2024 Luncheon Program
2023 Luncheon Program
Save the Date for the 2025 luncheon: Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at noon at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Reading.

Ways to be involved

In addition to attending programs or becoming a mentor/mentee, we encourage you to become involved in one of the AWC Committees. Committees meet on average once a quarter.

Events & Engagement Committee: The Events & Engagement Committee promotes awareness of the AWC and its mission and fosters relationships among AWC members through the support of quality programming. It reaches out to and engages with AWC constituencies, whether it is other AWC members, students, alumni, or the entire Alvernia community, and actively seeks ways to engage women with the AWC. The committee invites interested women to join the AWC, fosters relationships, and identifies women that could take a leadership role within the AWC. Engagement through events can be accomplished by creating new and/or stand-alone programs or by partnering with other organizations/departments/events connected to the university or other organizations that align with the AWC’s mission. These events may be held on campus or the community at large.
Professional Advancement & Opportunities Committee: The Professional Advancement & Opportunities Committee is dedicated to promoting and facilitating mentorship, internship, and job opportunities for ��91��Ƭ�� students and alumni. The committee works with the O’Pake Institute, Holleran Center and Institutional Advancement to identify and secure internships, mentors and job opportunities for students. Mentor and mentee relationships can occur between current students and AWC members, alumni and community members based on matched interests.
Awards & Recognition Committee: The Awards & Recognition Committee recognizes Alvernia alumni and students who have distinguished themselves throughout their lives. The committee seeks nominations and identifies candidates for the Bernardine Legacy Award, and makes recommendations to the Steering Committee for approval. The committee also seeks nominations and identifies candidates (alumni, faculty, professional staff and students) for the Alvernia Magazine. The committee identifies ways to thank and recognize alumni and student volunteers who support the University.
Steering Committee: The Steering Committee establishes goals and identifies priorities for the Alvernia Women’s Council. The committee reviews and evaluates the results of all committees’ activities and assesses how the activities accomplish the goals and priorities of the Council. Specifically, the Steering Committee’s goals included increasing Council and committee memberships, developing a budget and creating income streams for the Council and increasing student engagement and recruitment.

Thankful to our partners...

NewCo

Giving Back

Proceeds from AWC events support the Newcombe Scholarship Fund. This fund provides support to adult students who need financial aid to complete their education at Alvernia. Learn more about .