Into the 21st Century

Along with this move, the Women’s Studies Program also experienced changes in curriculum. In 1998, the women’s studies graduate certificate was approved, and since 2004, has been offered as both an online and face-to-face program.

The online certificate program has been very successful, allowing students across the country to examine feminist scholarship and women’s and gender issues at an advanced level. In 1999, the Women’s Studies Program also received funding for a full-time graduate assistant and a faculty fellow.

Farrah Ferriell (left) was one of our first GAs. She went on to become an instructor for WS and is now Regional Director of Development at Volunteers of America of Kentucky.

Heather Bridges (left), who earned an MA in English along with the graduate certificate in WS, is working in real estate in Colorado.

Michelle Glorioso (left) earned the certificate as well, and was honored as the Potter College Graduate Student of the Year in 2009.

She is now working on a doctorate at the University of Kansas. Michelle (Shelly) has worked for WS longer than any other student, beginning as a student worker in 2003, then “moving up” to graduate assistant and Camp Coordinator.

Charles Bussey, a professor in the Department of History, became the first faculty fellow and held the position for four years.

 

Barry Brunson, a professor in the Department of Math, became faculty fellow in 2003.

Ken Kuehn, a professor in the Department of Geology, became the next faculty

fellow in 2009, and Dawn Hall, a professor of English in Academic Support at the Commonwealth School, became faculty fellow in 2010, after serving a year as interim director (more on that shortly).

 

Some of our student assistants over the years include Olivia Smith, who is finishing her Ph.D. at Emory, in women’s studies;

  Sara Herndon, who lives in

Chicago and recently completed the online WS certificate;

Nick Simmons, who earned an MA in I/O Psychology and now works in Baltimore, Maryland;

Megan Green, who worked with WS for three years and  graduated in May 2011 with her BA in anthropology and minor in WS;

Melissa Rickman, graduated May 2011 with a BA in Elementary Education;

Leigh Gaskin started out as GWS student assistant and is now our GWS GA. She graduated May 2011 with a BA in Psychology.  She is currently working on her Masters in SRSC and our GWS Graduate Certificate;

Sam Burnett will be graduating May 2012;

Meg Kennedy, also a GWS minor;

McKenzie Croghan, also a GWS minor;

Brandi Button, SRSC GA, is currently working on her Masters in SRSC and our GWS Graduate Certificate.