Archive | Student Spotlights

What is your hometown, your pronouns, and your major(s)/minor(s)?

My hometown is Charleston, South Carolina. My pronouns are she/her/hers. I’m a double major in Communication and Sociology and a minor in International Studies. I am also the current recipient Skirt. Magazine Endowed Scholarship.

What areas/aspects of gender activism and/or advocacy for women and girls you find most engaging/interesting/what you’re most passionate about? 

I am very passionate about social justice and the empowerment of women, children, and minority groups. There is so much injustice in our world, a lot of which is targeted toward women and minority populations and perpetuated through systemic inequity. One way to combat these injustices is through education, which can help empower people with the confidence and strength that they need to be a part of creating positive change.

Tell us about any extracurricular work you’re doing (ex. volunteering/local activism), or any involvement you have on campus with clubs/organizations. 

I believe that education is the beacon of a brighter future. The learning process can be challenging, especially for kids that face language barriers, and I am committed to tutoring and mentoring elementary and middle school students to help them overcome this barrier and any others they might face. I have mentored students in Charleston and during my studies abroad, but I have become even more committed to this work as the pandemic has forced students to transition from traditional to online learning formats. Helping my students adjust to this new format while working on the skills and confidence they need to succeed in their studies is extremely rewarding. It allows me to help them gain self-confidence and realize that they can succeed in the classroom and in all aspects of their lives.

I also frequently volunteer in animal shelters and enjoy fostering kittens until they’re ready to be placed for adoption. The only downside to that is that I often get too attached to them!

What impact did your WGS course have on you? and/or: Why should every CofC student take a WGS class before they graduate? 

One of the first courses I took during my college career was Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies. It turned out to be one of my favorites! I truly enjoyed it because not only did it present a foundation for a solid understanding of issues relating to women and gender, but it also gave insight into the structural and cultural origins of current inequity and injustice. In Intro to WGS, a variety of topics are presented through a multitude of perspectives, which leads to a broader, more well-rounded understanding of these important issues.

Every CofC student would benefit from taking a WGS course before they graduate because understanding how to navigate issues of gender and sexuality provides historical context and perspective on past, present, and future obstacles to equality. WGS courses also create productive spaces for students to have critical discussions on relevant social issues.

What are your plans and goals post graduation?

After I graduate, I hope to pursue a career that allows me to help underprivileged and underrepresented groups overcome the structural hurdles that restrict them from equal access to opportunities and resources. I’m really interested in finding a position within the field of communication, especially one that intersects with social work. While I am not totally sure where life will take me, especially during these unprecedented times, I am hopeful that my future endeavors allow me to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

Tell us a little bit about yourself! What are your pronouns? Your hometown? Your major(s)/minor(s)?

My hometown is Greenwich, Connecticut.  I use she/her/hers pronouns and I am majoring in Finance with a minor in International Studies.

What areas/aspects of WGS do you find the most engaging? OR what are you most passionate about?

I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t involved in some sphere of activism. Whether that was protesting atop my mother’s shoulders when I was 5-6 years old, or organizing walkouts in middle school. However, when I turned 15 something shifted, and I didn’t quite feel content with volunteering or protesting. I was experiencing some serious burnout, and I kept thinking of ways that I could maximize my impact and activism in more efficient ways that aided hundreds or thousands of individuals in need. 

At that time I had a few friends with undocumented parents, and I was in the process of researching what they should do in case of parental deportation. In this process I realized that this was my opportunity to maximize my impact and deliver aid to thousands instead of a few. That’s why I released my first venture; In Case of Deportation (icodhelp.org). I took all of the research I compiled, and released it in an online format that was holistic enough to help any individual with undocumented parents learn about their next steps.

It was this shift from a more “follower” centered activism role to a leadership position that really ignited my passion and made me understand what I was truly capable of. It lit a fire in me that has seeped into my perception of myself, and motivated me to just keep producing new, innovative, and sometimes unorthodox ways of engaging in activism. 

Tell us about any extracurricular work you’re doing, or any involvement you have on campus with clubs or organizations.

I still have a major focus on the undocumented/mix-status communities. Most of the work I’m doing currently is drawing awareness to this issue here in South Carolina, where immigration is not a major focal point. So, I am going to be a TedX speaker about this topic this March, and I am currently working to create a college-student-specific branch of In Case of Deportation. 

Given the events of this past summer, I have also committed to educating myself about the Black Lives Matter movement, and doing what I can to begin activism work within that sector. I engaged in an independent research project with Honors Faculty Professor, Lancie Affonso, and freshman, Brandon Alston, to assess equity within the College of Charleston’s maintenance and dining staff. Through this research, we learned that these groups are predominately Black (60.3%) and are at the absolute frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through examining employee benefit packages, risk mitigation work, and community spread in the areas that employee’s live, we are working to uncover how our campus offers a microscopic view of systemic racism, and thus describes how the Black population is disproportionately affected by COVID-19. 

What does being a Ketner scholar mean to you?

Currently I have no financial support for my education. I already work two jobs to pay for my cost of living, however, the Ketner scholarship has greatly alleviated the financial burden of my tuition. Without this scholarship I would most likely need another job, and thus wouldn’t be able to devote my time to the activism initiatives that I am passionate about. Quite frankly this scholarship has given me the financial freedom to aid my community through my work.

What are your plans for the future?

While I am currently just a sophomore, I have pretty big plans! I do interpret activism through an unorthodox lens — hence why I am majoring in Finance. I hope that once I graduate, I can go into the wealth management field (specifically ESG investing), and aid individuals in sustainable asset management solutions. In less finance-y terms, I want to help people invest in companies that are actively doing good in their communities; this way we can help people accumulate wealth while supporting businesses that aim to do good for the world. 

However, these are just my post-graduation plans. As I mentioned before, I am financing my own education, so once I work in finance I hope to attend law school with my earnings. Specifically, I want to do human rights law; fighting discimination on a case-to-case basis and making a career out of the pursuit of justice.

Tell us a little bit about yourself! What are your pronouns? Your hometown? Your major(s)/minor(s)?

I am from Greenville, South Carolina. My pronouns are she/her/hers. I am a Women’s and Gender Studies major, and I’m minoring in anthropology and psychology.

Why did you choose to study WGS?

I first wanted to go into a social science field and just tailor my electives around my interests in sustainability and WGS. It didn’t take me long to realize that I was only truly passionate about my WGS courses. They were the ones that made me crave knowledge, seek action, and reevaluate my individual perspective. I decided I wanted to spend my time learning about things that made me passionate, so I became a WGS major! Its interdisciplinary perspective promotes a holism that takes students further than most majors.

What areas/aspects of WGS do you find the most engaging? OR what are you most passionate about?

I am particularly interested in/passionate about reproductive justice, and race/gender/sexuality and environmental studies. I have a lot more to learn, but I am interested in plant medicine as a method for emotional and physical healing. There is a movement called rewilding I am really interested in as well.

Tell us about any extracurricular work you’re doing, or any involvement you have on campus with clubs or organizations.

I am on the leadership board for Alliance for Planet Earth and the new WGS Student Advisory Committee. I’m also the current Alison Piepmeier Endowed Scholarship recipient.

What does WGS mean to you? Why should every CofC student take at least one WGS class before they graduate?

WGS courses are important because they provide a perspective students really can’t get from any other discipline. They show that there is more to life than meets the eye, and they teach students how to look below the surface at the true issues facing individuals and populations.

What are your plans post-graduation?

WGS teaches you things that can be applied in every aspect of life. Studying minorities and injustice builds more empathetic, intuitive people, and this can be used regardless of what you are doing. I am interested in becoming an herbalist (plant medicine) and doula. I hope to use plant medicine to provide people with access to low-cost medicine that can also be emotionally healing. Specifically, I am interested in promoting herbal resources related to family planning/reproductive health. But I still have a lot more to learn.

Tell us a little bit about yourself! What are your pronouns? Your hometown? Your major(s)/minor(s)?

My hometown is Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and I use she/her/hers pronouns. I am a Biology major (B.S.) and Spanish minor.

What areas/aspects of WGS do you find most engaging/interesting? What are you passionate about?

Reproductive rights is an aspect of gender-based activism I am especially passionate about, and a big part of this is comprehensive sexual education. For me it’s about having an informed choice about what happens to our bodies and how to care for and love them. What happens to our own bodies is something only we should decide, and in the area of reproduction this right is continuously disregarded. Repro rights are truly human rights.

Tell us about any extracurricular work you’re doing (ex. volunteering/local activism), or any involvement you have on campus with clubs/organizations.

On campus, I am the president of Planned Parenthood’s Generation Action chapter where we offer students ways to support our local Planned Parenthood, protect reproductive rights, gain education on healthy safe sex and legistlature surrouding repro rights, and gain a community that values bodily autotomy. We also volunteer for other organizations such as the SC democratic party, for example, to phonebank for this recent election. I am the treasurer of the sports club, belly dance, which this is my 7th semester participating in. I am also a Supplemental Instructor with the Center for Student Learning for BIOL111 this semester, and I am a Senior Leader for the SI program as well, mentoring new SI’s. This semester I am also working on a Bachelor’s Essay on proteomics research with Dr. Michael Janech at CofC.

What does the Ketner Scholarship mean to you?

The Ketner scholarship for me has been a source of community, inspiration, and motivation. I have gained much awareness of the community/CofC and what I can do to help improve it, and have met the kindest coolest people along the way, and it drives me to keep fighting for equality. I am so grateful for the mentorship of Dr. De Welde and the generosity of Linda Ketner that has changed my life for the better and shaped my college experience into something positive and persistent.

What are you plans post-graduation? And how will you take what you’ve learned in WGS with you once you’re no longer a student here?

After graduation, I will be taking the MCAT and applying to medical school. During my gap year I plan to work with my phlebotomy certificate, research (probably in women’s health), and continue to volunteer with Planned Parenthood as well as engage with local activism. My Ketner community has taught me that there are endless connections to make, work to be done, and ways to make positive change, you just have to start talking to people! No matter where I am or what I do I can get involved.

Tell us a little bit about yourself! What are your pronouns? Your hometown? Your major(s)/minor(s)?

My pronouns are she/her. I am from Westchester, New York, and I’m double majoring in Psychology and Women’s and Gender Studies.

Why did you choose to study WGS?

I don’t know if I have an answer to that question. I think WGS found its way to me. I had the great privilege of attending the number one all-female boarding school in the country, Miss Porter’s. My time at Porter’s was 100% the best time of my life. However, while attending this amazing institution geared to the improvement and growth of women, I never had any classes where the sole focus was on the woman as an individual. The WGS program at the College of Charleston gave me the opportunity to fulfill the hole that Porter’s couldn’t fill.

What areas/aspects of WGS you find most engaging/interesting/what you’re most passionate about?

I, personally, am a fan of the structure of WGS courses. Within the major, about 99% of my classes have been discussion based, as opposed to stereotypical lecture classrooms. This has been helpful to my personal growth because I learn better when I have the opportunity to talk it out with my peers versus constantly being talked to. Subsequently, I am passionate about the students. All WGS students are incredibly passionate about all issues that concern WGS. Even the issue they might not be incredibly crazy about, they support. The major truly feels like a small family, calling it merely a community would be almost insulting to how close-knit it really is.

Tell us about any extracurricular work you’re doing (ex. volunteering/local activism), or any involvement you have on campus with clubs/organizations.

I am currently serving as the president of the Charleston 40 Tour Guide Association and have been a tour guide for 3 years. I have recently added on the position of Public Relations for the remainder of the Academic Year. Also, in the Office of Admissions, I have been a Student Ambassador for the past 4 years. I have been an orientation intern through the office of New Student Programs for 3 years. Last summer, I transitioned into the role of Senior Customer Service Representative. I served as a Peer Advisor in the Office of Academic Advising & Planning Center. I am a member of the Illustrious Iota Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

What does WGS mean to you? and/or: Why should every CofC student take a WGS class before they graduate?

I think it is incredibly important for every CofC student to take a WGS class before the graduate. The College of Charleston is built on the foundation of a liberal arts education. Although it was annoying at first, it is truly beautiful because students are given the opportunity to dip their foot into every pond and be boundless, we have the great privilege of deciding what out future to be. Yet, in order to make the most inclusive future imaginable WGS has to be in the conversation. The same people have been in my classes throughout my time in the College, and it proves that those people care about equal opportunities and inclusivity. However, the conversation needs to leave the same group of people and impact a larger population in order to make a recognizable difference.

You’re about to be graduating soon, so we HAVE to ask you this question: what are you plans post-graduation? And how will you take what you’ve learned in WGS with you once you’re no longer a student here?

After I graduate in May I am going off to Nursing School, which is exciting and terrifying at the same time! I am set to attend Columbia University where I will earn my M.S in Nursing and DNP in Nurse Midwifery. I truly believe that everything I have learned within my field of study will play a role in how I choose to set up my career. I have learned a variety of concepts across departments ranging from Women & Religion, Managing Diversity and the Sexuality of Childbirth.

We sat down with WGS and English double-major Tanner Crunelle to talk about his passions, his work with I-CAN, and his involvement in activism on campus and beyond.

We sat down with WGS and Public Health double-major Kristen Graham to talk about how she came to study WGS, what areas of WGS she’s most passionate about, and her work with I-CAN.

First off, why did you choose to major in WS?

I chose to major in WGS because I knew my own intersections within my identity and I wanted to expand beyond my own understanding to help other black women fight the systematic oppression that has been trying to silence us. I thought this major would pair well with my public health major to focus on the policies and mistreatments plague black women and women of color in our country.

What areas/aspects of WGS you find most engaging or interesting? Or, what WGS-related issues are most passionate about?

I am most passionate about Black Feminists Theory and Queer Theory. As a black Pansexual woman I’ve started my journey to being proud of all of my identities through the critical thinking WGS classes and professors have helped me gain.

Tell us about any extracurricular work you’re doing (ex. volunteering/local activism), or any involvement you have on campus with clubs/organizations.

I am apart of the coalition Intersectional Cougar Action Network (I-CAN). Our purpose is to organize and collaborate with students throughout multicultural and marginalized communities. We strive to uplift student voices throughout those communities by directly contacting administrators and faculty to address the harms we face. I am now I-CAN’s Curriculum Committee chair. I m also representing I-CAN and what we stand for on the QEP committee with SLI and the Ad Hoc curriculum committee addressing diversity concerns. As well as volunteering with the Elizabeth Warren campaign.

Why should every student take a WGS class before they graduate?

I believe WGS classes aide one to think critical of gender, sexuality, race, class and other social identities. I think every person on campus should understand how our social identities have impacted the way our nation’s history has been taught, as well as the way in which structural and cultural systems are still impacted today. It’s a lot deeper than personal biases, and students should take at least two courses to enrich their understanding of diversity, intersectionality, and equity.

What are your plans post-graduation, and how do you plan to take what you’ve learned in WGS with you moving forward?

I’ve really been considering working at an NGO or as a lobbyist after I graduate. I really want to effect positive change in our federal and local policies that reflect diverse population in which it governs. I especially want to advocate for Black women and the LGBTQ+ by using the connections and materials I’ve gained through my WGS classes. Mostly I want to dare to defy the restrictive culture norms society has placed on us by simply being my Queer self, changing and challenging what leadership even looks like in these spaces.

We sat down with WGS and Religious Studies double-major Jasmine Tindall to talk about how she came to study WGS, and what areas of WGS she’s most passionate about.

First off, why did you choose to major in WS?

I chose to study WGS because it’s fueled my passion for social justice. It’s provided me with a foundation for understanding the root cause of different oppressions, which I think is the first step to making a better life for all.

What areas/aspects of WGS you find most engaging or interesting? Or, what WGS-related issues are most passionate about?

I’m a double major in Religious Studies so a lot of my interests are focused on women’s roles and influences in religion. I’m really fascinated by the extent to which religion has not only reflected basic cultural assumptions about gender but has in turn helped shape, reinforce, and modify those expectations in today’s society.

Tell us about any extracurricular work you’re doing (ex. volunteering/local activism), or any involvement you have on campus with clubs/organizations.

On campus I spend a lot of time with incoming freshmen working as a Peer Facilitator and I’m a member of the Pre-Law Society. Some local activism I’ve enjoyed participating in is volunteering at Planned Parenthood and attending Charleston pride, as well as the Women’s March in DC. I’m looking forward to applying my passion for WGS at my internship in Rwanda and Uganda this summer! I’ll be working with local NGOs on socio-political health issues and studying different topics like psychology from social change & negotiating resources and gender in civic spaces.

Why should every student take a WGS class before they graduate?

There’s a common misconception that women & gender is for the sole benefit of women and women’s rights. I’d encourage anyone to take a WGS course because you’re actively opposing intersectional oppression, critically reviewing and learning how to see things from a multitude of angles, the field inevitably expands into other areas where oppression is highly present such as racism, sexism, exploitation and class difference.

What are your plans post-graduation, and how do you plan to take what you’ve learned in WGS with you moving forward?

Post-graduation I see myself continuing my studies of WGS in grad school to complete my masters and doctorate. One day I hope to pursue a career in academia as a feminist scholar. My dreams include but are not limited to: teaching abroad, publishing contributive research and writings within the WGS realm, and of course hosting my own TED Talks!

We sat down with WGS and English double-major Raegan Whiteside to talk about her experiences leading Literati (the CofC English club), how she came to study WGS, and what areas of WGS she’s most passionate about.

First off, why did you choose to major in WS?

I chose to major in WGS after my first WGS class – Feminism and Jiu-Jitsu (taught by Dr. Kristi Brian). I left that class each day feeling empowered and free. I was surrounded by unique, powerful, independent and different women and yet we all had the common goal of supporting and lifting each other up. We formed a community. That’s why I chose to major in WGS, because I loved that feeling of community and lifting up others, of empowerment and acceptance and WGS Department is the only place I have found that consistently.

What areas/aspects of WGS you find most engaging or interesting? Or, what WGS-related issues are most passionate about?

I think many of us are in WGS because we are passionate about equal rights and empowering others, especially minority groups. But I think the diversity found in WGS – in the faculty and students, the courses and topics discussed or even the events – is what I find most interesting and what excites me.

Tell us about any extracurricular work you’re doing (ex. volunteering/local activism), or any involvement you have on campus with clubs/organizations.

After my WGS internship ended at skirt. magazine, they offered me two paid positions – Freelance Writer and Magazine Distributor. I’m also the Co-President of Literati (the CofC English club), and a Humanities and Social Sciences Ambassador. When I’m not in class or working on any of those activities, I work at Buxton Bookstore here downtown.

What does being a WGS student mean to you, and why do you think it’s important that we study WGS?

WGS, for me, means community and acceptance (like I mentioned before). I think, in our society today, it’s easy to get caught up in being something you’re not and losing sight of what matters. But, with WGS, I’m always able to be completely myself and WGS challenges me to do better, fight for what I’m passionate about and not shy away when things get difficult.

I think every CofC student should take a WGS class before they graduate because we are in the 21st century and it’s time to quit denying the obvious — that we need change and we need equality and we need everyone on board. WGS is for those who are ready for change, but also for those who want to learn more, for those who want to challenge themselves and get out of their comfort zone and actually make a difference in our community, society and culture.

We sat down with WGS and Sociology double-major Meshauna Dwight to talk about her experiences as this year’s Alison Piepmeier Scholarship recipient, her work volunteering with Educating Girls on the Go (EGO), and why she loves studying WGS.

What does being this year’s Alison Piepmeier Scholarship recipient mean to you?

I was happy to learn about the endeavors and achievements of Alison Piepmeier while she was alive, and it is an honor to pick up her torch in solidarity for social justice.

What aspects of WGS or WGS-related areas of interest are you most passionate about?

I decided to declare Women’s and Gender Studies as one of my majors because, to me, WGS embodies effort towards social justice. Social justice in every area is what I am passionate about because I believe that all corners of the globe should be beautiful places for everyone no matter what their differences are, and societies should work towards being as close to a meritocracy as possible.

What upcoming projects or classes in WGS are you most looking forward to?

The class that I am most looking forward to is SOCY 362: The Sociology of Social Change. I read lots of books and watch lots of movies with dystopian themes in the hopes of getting a glimpse of a roadmap to influencing positive social change. Hopefully, this class will help to answer some of my questions.

Are you currently engaged in any activism in the greater Charleston community? If so, tell us about it!

I am mostly involved with this small, up-and-coming organization called Educating Girls on the Go, or EGO. It was started by Nathalia Mateus, a former residential assistant at a group home in North Charleston, called Jenkins Institute for Children. Having first-hand experience with the foster care system opened her eyes to how broken it is and she wanted to become an advocate. We have been speaking with policy-makers, community leaders, and other organizations based in and outside of South Carolina for three years now in an effort to reform South Carolina’s foster care system. We now plan to get involved with the Department of Children’s Advocacy, which has only just been established in the beginning of July. This new organization will provide oversight for South Carolina’s Department of Social Services to make sure that all youth in foster care are actually receiving the many services that they have a right to while in DSS custody. The staggering amount of foster care youth that age out of the system only to become homeless were often never even made aware of the resources that they are entitled to.