Steering Committee
The Gender Studies Steering Committee advises and assists the Director on matters pertaining to the Program’s academic curriculum and programming. Members of the Committee also help to promote the Gender Studies Program as a scholarly community committed to the interdisciplinary study of gender and sexuality.
The nine voting members of the Steering Committee are elected by faculty members associated with the Program. The Committee also includes one undergraduate student representative and one graduate student representative, both in a non-voting capacity. The Director, Associate Director, and Program Coordinator are ex officio non-voting members of the Committee. The Internal Scholar-in-Residence, Postdoctoral Fellow, and Subject Librarian for Gender Studies participate in Steering Committee meetings in a non-voting capacity.
Current Voting Members
- Peter Cajka (2025-28) - Assistant Teaching Professor, American Studies
- Laurel Daen (2025-28) - Assistant Professor, American Studies
- La Donna Forsgren (2025-28) - Associate Professor, Film, Television, and Theatre
- Brandon Menke (2025-28) - Assistant Professor, English
- Connie Snyder Mick (2025-28) - Senior Associate Director and Director of Academic Affairs, Institute for Social Concerns
- Vanesa Miseres (2025-28) - Associate Professor, Romance Languages & Literatures
- Michael Rea (2025-28) - Professor, Philosophy, and Director of the Center for Philosophy of Religion
- Emily Remus (2025-28) - Associate Professor, History
- Jessica Shumake (2025-28) - Assistant Teaching Professor, University Writing Program
Current Non-Voting Members
- Perin Gürel, Director of Gender Studies; Chair of Steering Committee
- Pamela Butler, Associate Director of Gender Studies
- Dani Fielding, Undergraduate Student Representative
- Nipunika Lecamwasam, Graduate Student Representative
- SeungGyeong (Jade) Ji, Gender Studies Postdoctoral Fellow
- Jessica Kayongo, Subject Librarian for Gender Studies
- Azareen Van Der Vliet Oloomi, Gender Studies Internal Scholar-in-Residence
- Michele Wolff, Program Coordinator
Subcommittee Assignments
The Undergraduate Education Subcommittee reviews proposals for changes to the requirements of the undergraduate curriculum of Gender Studies and then makes a recommendation on the issue to the full Steering Committee. This committee also consults on courses to be cross-listed in Gender Studies. Additionally, it considers opportunities for enhancing undergraduate education in Gender Studies. Undergraduate committee members review submissions for the undergraduate essay award.
Subcommittee members: 2025-2026
- Peter Cajka (2025-28) - Assistant Teaching Professor, American Studies
- Vanesa Miseres (2025-28) - Associate Professor, Romance Languages & Literatures
- Jessica Shumake (2025-28) - Assistant Teaching Professor, University Writing Program
The Graduate Education Subcommittee reviews proposals for changes to the requirements of the graduate curriculum of Gender Studies and then makes a recommendation on the issue to the full Steering Committee. This committee also considers opportunities for enhancing graduate education in Gender Studies. Graduate committee members review submissions for the graduate writing awards.
Subcommittee members: 2025-2026
- Brandon Menke (2025-28) - Assistant Professor, English
- Connie Snyder Mick (2025-28) - Senior Associate Director and Director of Academic Affairs, Institute for Social Concerns
- Michael Rea (2025-28) - Professor, Philosophy, and Director of the Center for Philosophy of Religion
The Research Subcommittee reviews applications for Affiliated Faculty status and makes recommendations on the issue to the full committee. It also suggests and reviews candidates for Concurrent Faculty. Additionally, this subcommittee considers opportunities for enhancing research in Gender Studies. Research committee members review submissions for the senior thesis award.
Subcommittee members: 2025-2026
- Laurel Daen (2025-28) - Assistant Professor, American Studies
- La Donna Forsgren (2025-28) - Associate Professor, Film, Television, and Theatre
- Emily Remus (2025-28) - Associate Professor, History