The Graduation Edition

Congratulations to our MA graduates!

Dr. Eiko Strader delivering the Charge to the Graduates at the CCAS Master's Celebration.

Congratulations to our BA graduates!

Congratulations to our wonderful class of 2026! Best wishes on the next steps of your journey. We are so proud of you, and can't wait to see what you accomplish! If you missed the WGSS graduation reception, check out our slideshow to celebrate all of our graduates!

Letter from the Director

Summer Greetings from the WGSS Program and congratulations to our newest BA and MA alums who we celebrated on Saturday, May 16th during our 2026 WGSS Graduation Reception! The WGSS core faculty individually recognize each of our spring 2026 WGSS prizewinners in addition to our graduates during this special event, and we all enjoyed having an opportunity to meet the family, partners, and friends who supported our students through their GW academic journey. Check out our graduation reception slideshow, put together by our own Academic Department Administrator and WGSS MA alum, Savannah Gaines, to learn more about our students and their experiences as members of the GW WGSS community!

As you will see from the photos below, WGSS hosted many exciting events this past year that were organized by our students and faculty, and we are currently in planning mode for the coming year. Please let us know if you would like to organize a WGSS event with us in 26/27!

We will also be offering some terrific new undergraduate courses this coming year including Professor Andre Culbreath’s Intro to Masculinity Studies course and Professor Akae Wright’s Intro to Black Feminist Studies course, both of which are described below. A new graduate course, Feminist Media Studies will also be debuting this fall!

The campus is quiet and peaceful these days now that the graduation festivities are behind us but we are looking forward to welcoming a new cohort of WGSS MA students this fall. Eleven incoming freshmen have indicated that they are interested in majoring in WGSS and we also have many new majors, minors, and graduate certificate students who have recently joined our program. Despite the difficult anti-DEI attacks we are currently facing on a national level, our WGSS scholarly and activist community here at GW is clearly flourishing. We are very grateful to be able to serve as a safe and supportive haven for GW’s faculty and students who are expanding and enriching the interdisciplinary field of women’s, gender and sexuality studies.

We will miss our amazing 25/26 Visiting Assistant Professor, Heather Rellihan, who taught several of our undergraduate and graduate core courses this past year, including the Senior Seminar and the graduate Capstone Seminar. Heather is returning to her full-time position at Anne Arundel Community College this fall so she won’t be too far away, and we hope to have her back to teach a course for us next spring!

We hope you have a fun and relaxing summer and we especially wish our 2026 WGSS graduates success in their new endeavors. Four of our second year MA students will be beginning four different Ph.D. programs this fall at prestigious institutions, and we are so pleased that our program was able to prepare them so well for further graduate study in their chosen fields. We know they will continue to do us proud! 

We encourage all of our alums to keep us updated on their post-graduate activities and to become involved with our active GW WGSS alumni network. We can’t wait to hear about the excellent contributions each of you will be making in the future as members of the international feminist community!

Gail Weiss, WGSS Director

WGSS Year in Review!

In Closed Spaces: How Tradition And Social Norms Normalize Domestic Violence



A student led discussion by MA student Yaprak Eris.

Careers in Nonprofits Event



Job market tips and advice shared from WGSS MA alum Sophie Shack.

Feminist Approaches to Political Polarization

A student led discussion by MA student Kendall Rogers.

WGSS 4199: Senior Seminar Gift Exchange

On the final day of the Senior Seminar, they held a gift-giving practice inspired by the epilogue to Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book Braiding Sweetgrass.

Yulee Endowed Lecture: Bodies in Motion

Our 2026 Yulee Lecture featured Dr. Jade Power-Sotomayor and Dr. Deborah Thomas as our esteemed guest lecturers.

WGSS MA Capstone Symposium

Our twelve graduating MA students presented on their amazing capstone research projects.

CCAS Research Showcase Poster Presentations

Graduating MA students Leah Bogan, Yaprak Eris, Kendall Rogers, and Madison Post presented their capstone research alongside other CCAS graduate students.

Iota Iota Iota (Triota) WGSS Honor Society Induction Ceremony

This spring we inducted the first cohort of the Zeta Mu Chapter of Iota Iota Iota (Triota) National WGSS Honor Society! 

Faculty Spotlights

Congratulations to Professor Sara Matthiesen who published an article in the Fall 2025 issue of Scholar & Feminist Online on Abolition Feminism and the Politics of Reproduction, guest edited by Sarah Haley and Emily Thuma.

You can read her article, '"We Aren't Locking Up!: Making Life on the Inside," here!

Congratulations to Professor Heather Rellihan whose book review essay, “Feminist Memorialization in Looking at Women Looking at War” was published in the latest issue of The Journal of Slavic Military Studies. 

You can read her article here!

Immigration & Migration Studies Symposium Recap

Congratulations to the dynamic undergraduate scholars on delivering such eloquent, innovative, and powerful research presentations at our fifth annual Immigration and Migration Studies symposium, which is housed in the WGSS Program and directed by Prof. Kavita Daiya. Our special thanks to our entire team of faculty, staff, and students, and especially our colleagues at the Cisneros Institute, who support this very special IMS community and co-sponsored the event, with the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies Jeff Brand, the Center for Immigration and Migration Studies, and the English dept. Here are some pictures of our wonderful and impressive presenters from across The George Washington University Columbian College of Arts & Sciences and ESIA with some of their IMS faculty mentors.

Upcoming Events

2026 PRIDE FORUM

Towards a Trans Utopia: 

Documenting Trans Joy to Reimagine the Present and Future

June 16, 2026 5:00-6:30pm (ET) | via Zoom

Join the Graduate School of Education and Human Development (GSEHD) Pride Forum, a celebration of Pride Month.

Grounded in the visionary framework of José Esteban Muñoz’s Cruising Utopia, Dr. Z Nicolazzo, Rabbi Abby Stein, and Dr. Darin M.L. Stewart will explore radical trans futurity amidst intense political and social backlash. Moving beyond the rhetoric of mere inclusion, the conversation will critically examine how transgender individuals and communities can navigate the stark realities of "interest divergence" within modern institutions. Together, the panelists will highlight strategies for not only surviving the present moment but actively forging a liberated, utopian future.

This conversation will be moderated by Maddie Soufleris, PhD student at GSEHD. 

Register here!

Gender & Policy Summer Writing Group

9am-1pm every other week, May-August

MPA 603 | Sign up form

Will you be in town this summer? Need to get some writing or research done? Join the Gender Policy Research Program's summer writing group!

Each session, they will set writing goals and develop strategies for how to achieve them, have several hours of quiet writing time, then discuss the progress over a brown bag lunch. We will meet from 9am-1pm every other week from May to August, day of the week TBD based on everyone's availability. Feel free to join Gender & Policy when you are available, no commitment required. All GW community members working on gender and/or policy issues are welcome! 

Fall 2026 Courses

WGSS 3170W

Intro to Masculinity Studies

Unlocking Masculinity: A Journey Through Pop Culture and Beyond

Join us for an enlightening course that delves into the multifaceted world of masculinity, woven through the vibrant tapestry of pop culture. This course invites you to explore the shifting paradigms of masculinity, as seen through the lenses of music, fashion, arts, politics, religion, and science. Reflect on how these cultural elements shape and redefine what it means to be masculine in today's world. Engage with thought-provoking content that challenges you to introspect and broaden your understanding of gender roles across various societal contexts. Whether you're keen on dissecting the lyrics of iconic songs, analyzing the influence of fashion trends, or understanding the impact of political and scientific discourse, this course offers a comprehensive platform for exploration and discussion. Embark on a journey to challenge your perspectives and enrich your insight into the dynamic narrative of masculinity. Secure your spot today and be part of a transformative experience!

WGSS 2130

Intro to Black Feminist Studies

In this course you will explore a variety of different intellectual, cultural, and creative products that shape the field of Black Feminist Studies. Black Feminist Studies is an interdisciplinary field that includes theory (who we are, what we know and learn, a system of ideas) and praxis (what we do, practice and engagement). We will learn about the history, origins, development, and practice of Black feminism. Through our literary, visual and auditory texts and discussions, we will explore the dimensions and the contours of Black Feminist Thought. In this course, we understand Black Feminist Studies as an independent field with its own history, theorists, and canon, linked in some ways but significantly separate from traditional feminist studies and not simply as an intervention or remedy to the fields of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies and Black/Africana/African American Studies. Black feminists investigate how race, class, sexuality, gender, ability, and other markers of difference shape systems of power. During the first half of the course before the midway point of the semester, we will engage the foundational texts of Black Feminist Studies. After building the foundation of our understanding of Black Feminist Studies, we will then engage a variety of media, art and texts to explore the multitude of ways Black feminism is contemporarily taken up. 

WGSS 6241

Gender, Law, and Politics

This course explores how law and public policy shape -- and are shaped by -- gender. It encompasses analytical approaches to gender and the law, including federal and state law. Topics include sex discrimination in the workplace and educational institutions, the religious freedom to discriminate, gender-based violence, and access to abortion. We use an intersectional approach with a nuanced understanding of gender and sexual identity. This course is about law, but it is not a law class. It is an overview of all aspects of law-making in the context of women and gender equality.

Development Programs

GenderPro is now accepting applications.



Join the community of professionals reshaping gender equity worldwide. With GenderPro’s 15-week, online curriculum, you’ll learn technical skills and practical approaches to challenge inequality and improve the lives of women and girls around the world.

You’ll receive personalized mentorship, build your global network and prepare to take the GenderPro Credential: the first globally recognized professional credential in the field of gender and development. 

The GenderPro Capacity Building Initiative is led by the Global Women’s Institute at the George Washington University and created in partnership with UNICEF.

Join us. Apply now for the February 2026 Cohort. 

Volunteer Opportunities

Honey Nashman Center

The Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service invites you to participate in the 18th annual Welcome Day of Service to take place on Saturday, August 22nd, 2026. 

Convocation and Welcome Day of Service (WDoS) connects first-year and transfer students to the worlds of community service and civic engagement at GW and introduces them to neighborhoods and community organizations here in DC and beyond! 

The Nashman Center extends an invitation to take the lead in participating in Welcome Day of Service. Leaders will be assigned to a service project and group to assist on the day of the event with logistics, reflection, and completion of the project. If you'd like to lead, please complete your application here! 

Peace Corps: Campus Ambassadors Applications Open

The Peace Corps is looking for campus ambassadors! Campus Ambassadors serve as local points of contact for students, faculty, and campus organizations. Ambassadors share information about Peace Corps opportunities and benefits. Campus ambassadors receive a $1600 stipend per semester and commit for the academic year.

Serving as a campus ambassador will not directly increase your chances of being selected for Peace Corps service, but it can enhance your application.

Please email ambassadors@peacecorps.gov with questions.

Bright Mind Volunteer Opportunity

Based on many years of successful collaborations with universities and other community organizations, Bright Mind has launched a new university collaboration program. They have had numerous major Washington D.C. universities start collaborations with them to help people in great need. They actively partner with a variety of local organizations. Here is a selection of possible types of collaborations: 

Ways for students, staff, faculty, and community members to get involved:

• Flexible timings are designed to fit around school schedules.

• Available for individual volunteers, those who are a part of academic classes, and school organizations.

• Fulfill academic and service requirements.

• Join projects focused on app building and other digital and community solutions.

• Contribute to help and support underserved communities.

• Make a lasting impact through opportunities available in 2026 and beyond, year-round.

How your students, staff, and community benefit:

• Service learning hours.

• Internship/Externship opportunities.

• Volunteer certificates and commendations recognizing your contributions.

• Learning collaborations (e.g., we were contracted to co-create a course with Northeastern which begins this spring).

• Offering single-instance or recurring engagement events for faculty and academic courses.

Please contact Bright Mind for more information.

Call For Study Volunteers

The PROMISE (Promotion of Sexual Health Equity) Lab in GWU's Applied Social Psychology is recruiting participants for the Black Women’s Sexual Health Inequities and Narratives for Equity (SHINE) Study. This study aims to learn more about social factors that positively or negatively affect Black women’s engagement with sexual health care and behaviors. This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at The George Washington University. Eligible participants will receive a $10 gift card.

The I-CHARM research lab (Innovations in Community Health Awareness/Advocacy Research/Resolutions, and Messaging), led by Dr. Daisy Le is conducting a study called MySHARE (My Self-sampling for HPV Awareness, Results, and Empowerment), which is a mixed-methods study that aims to assess the acceptability, feasibility, and perceived effectiveness of promoting HPV self-sampling to increase cervical cancer screening among a national sample of never-/under-screened women, including women living with HIV.

Sign up if interested!

Angus Leydic, a Ph.D. candidate in Second Language Acquisition and Teaching at the University of Arizona, is conducting a queer-led study on trans/nonbinary experiences in and before studying abroad in a foreign language and is hoping for your help!

Completing the survey makes you eligible for a $50 gift card. Completing a 1-hour long interview pays $50. All trans/nonbinary language students are welcome to complete the survey linked below and participate in optional interviews! You can be thinking about, preparing for, participating in, or have previously participated in a study abroad program in a language other than English.

Would you like to help? Eligible participants are trans/nonbinary students who are considering studying abroad, selecting a study abroad program, participating in a study abroad (currently or in the near future), or have completed a study abroad experience.

The survey can be accessed through the QR code or this link.

Upcoming Conferences

Call for Papers: Echoes of the Past and Realities of the Present: Humanities in a Context of Crisis

Rocky Mountain Interdisciplinary History Conference at CU Boulder

October 9-11, 2026.

Following the link within the CFP will allow applicants to sign up on a Microsoft form and submit abstracts and CVs there. However, in case there are any technical difficulties with uploading documents to that form, we ask that abstracts and CVs be emailed to rmihc@colorado.edu, as well.

Abstracts and CVs are due June 15, 2026. Please let us know if there are any questions or concerns, as it will be our pleasure to assist.

Support Groups from GW Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)

At CAPS, we offer group therapy as a valuable opportunity for self-discovery and addressing concerns in a supportive and collaborative environment. Our group sessions typically consist of 4-10 students who meet weekly throughout the semester, all under the expert guidance of our CAPS clinicians. Joining a group allows you to gain valuable insights into yourself and others, fostering personal growth and understanding in a nurturing setting. 

For more information or questions, please:  

Email our Group Coordinator Kortnie Parks, LPC at kortniep@gwu.edu

Fill out the Group Registration Form

Schedule an Initial Consultations with CAPS 

Support for GW LGBTQ+ Students

UniQue Voices: Mental Health for the GW LGBTQ+ Community

This supportive therapy group is tailored specifically for LGBTQIA+ students, providing a safe and inclusive space to share experiences, explore identities, and enhance mental well-being.

Sexual Assault Survivors Group

A support and healing space for femme/female-identifying individuals who have experienced sexual assault. This group offers a collaborative space to learn about trauma, process complex emotions, and integrate the experience into a healthier self.

Healthy Relationships Group

A processing space to help students gain insight and tools to improve all types of relationships. 

Online Therapy Resources for the LGBTQ+ Community

Online therapy is a resource that offers a plethora of different types of virtual therapy for the LGBTQ+ community. Online therapy makes it easier to access mental health care and to engage in therapy on your own terms. Find more resources that can be helpful for navigating the coming-out process, strengthening your relationships, and learning how to be true to yourself as an LGBTQ+ individual.

Feminist Quad Talk

Feminist Campus: Quad Talk is a platform to share bold opinions, fresh takes, and thoughtful reflections on the world we’re navigating. Whether you’re tackling the latest social issue or cracking a joke about the chaos, this is where your voice matters. Submit a piece (500 words or less) to be part of the weekly collection on the Feminist Campus Website of young people’s perspectives on the political and social issues shaping our lives today. Let’s talk about it—your way.

Gender Policy Research Program Newsletter

Sign up for the monthly newsletter! The GPRP newsletter, sent out on the last Friday of the month, will include updates from GPRP, community spotlights, featured events and resources, and funding, publication, and job opportunities.

Sign up today!

Save Foreign Assistance from Cuts

CARE is a humanitarian organization that fights global poverty empowers women and girls around the world. This organization is asking individuals to call elected officials and share support for foreign assistance, knowing just how much these critical investments save lives and promote U.S. and global stability, peace, and prosperity. 

Individuals can make a phone call and connect to members of Congress. This organization has included four main points below to make this as quick and easy as possible: 

• I am a constituent, and I strongly support U.S investments in foreign assistance. 
• U.S. foreign assistance saves lives and promotes U.S. and global stability, peace, and prosperity. 
• The consequences of cutting foreign assistance will be devastating – and in some cases deadly – for millions of people worldwide while also jeopardizing American progress. 
• Supporting foreign assistance does not come at the expense of domestic priorities. U.S. leadership can do both, it’s not an either or. 

If interested, call using this form.

Contribute to the WGSS News Digest

Would you like your event, announcement, or news to be featured in our news digest? There is a process! Please fill out the below form by Thursdays at 4:00 PM to have your event featured in our upcoming digests.

Submit additions to the digest. We look forward to hearing from you!