Women’s and Ethnic Studies (WEST)

Faculty

Professors: Abby Ferber
Assistant Professors: Julie Torres, ‘Ilaheva Tua’one, Monet Reynoso, and Tre Wentling

Women’s and Ethnic Studies (WEST) cultivates future leaders and out-of-the-box thinkers prepared to solve today’s problems. Through an interdisciplinary and intersectional approach our programs build community and invite students to challenge assumptions and find joy in learning. Courses, content, and programming center the histories, experiences, and cultural expressions of women and racial or ethnic groups not only in the United States but also across the world. Through respectful, open-minded dialogue, we explore the connections among race, class, gender, sexuality, disability, and powe. WEST equips students with a wide range of skills to enter a diverse workforce, including oral and written communication, research experience, teamwork, and more. WEST offers one-on-one mentoring, small classes, travel courses, and a range of scholarship opportunities.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to foster curiosity and think critically about the intersections of race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, disability, and other social identities. We cultivate an understanding of history, culture and society from a range of perspectives, including the stories and experiences of marginalized people. Guided by creativity, integrity and a deep respect for justice, our vision is to develop skills to shape our collective future to create positive change.

WEST offers one-on-one mentoring, small classes, travel courses, and a range of scholarships. WEST courses teach critical analysis of societal systems, and our programs offer majors and minors the opportunity to engage in research and service projects that develop concrete and transferable skills. WEST graduates possess broad interdisciplinary skills, scholarly sophistication, familiarity with developing knowledge, exposure to engaged teaching and learning, a sense of community, an understanding of theory and practice, and skills that promote positive social change.

By teaching and modeling ways to work effectively with individuals and groups from various backgrounds and experiences, WEST provides students with the knowledge and skills that are applicable to a wide range of graduate or professional programs and career opportunities, including:

Administration
Community Organizing, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), and Non-profits
Healthcare and Counseling
Human Resource Management
Human Relations
International Relations
Law and Law Enforcement
Media and Marketing
Politics and Government
Public Relations and marketing
Research
Social Work
Teaching
Urban Planning and Development

Women’s and Ethnic Studies (WEST)

Faculty

Mission Statement

Programs of Study