Gender & Women's Studies Faculty & Staff

 

Renee Purdy

I am the office associate for the Gender & Women's Studies Program.  I have been at Western Kentucky University since 2004. Read more about Renee here.

 

Gender & Women's Studies Faculty

 

Dr. Jane Olmsted

I’m the director of the Women’s Studies Program and a coordinator of the M.A. in Social Responsibility & Sustainable Communities. I’ve been teaching at WKU since 1996 and became WS director in 1998. Read more about Dr. Olmsted here.

 

Dr. Molly Kerby

I have been teaching for almost 12 years at the university level. In the fall of 1999, I taught my first women’s studies courses at Western Kentucky University and found a passion for the field of gender studies, the Women’s Studies Program, and, above all, serving students as well as the community. Read more about Dr. Kerby here.

 

Dr. Kristi Branham

My academic background is in literature and cultural studies with specialization in late nineteenth and early twentieth century American women’s popular culture. I earned my PhD from the University of Kentucky with an emphasis in feminist and social theory.
Read more about Dr. Branham here.

 

 

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Gender and Women's Studies Adjunct Faculty

 

Martha Sales

I currently serve as Director of Western Kentucky University’s Educational Talent Search Program; this pre-college program assists middle and high school first-generation students in areas such as post-secondary choices, career choices, self-esteem, ACT preparation, financial aid and multi-cultural awareness. Not only do I teach Women Studies here at WKU, I also teach for the African American Studies Program.  Read more about Martha here.

 

Dr. Wendy Benningfield

I am an Associate Professor of History at Campbellsville University and have the privilege of teaching adjunct for the Western Kentucky University Women’s Studies Department.  Read more about Dr. Benningfield here.