Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Impact Report_FY24-25
Dear Donor,
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we have been able to fund student scholarships and fellowships, support faculty professional development, and sustain cornerstone initiatives such as our Bread and Roses Feminist Research Colloquium Series and the Young Womxn’s Studies Club, our signature outreach program. This support continues to advance our mission: to educate future scholars and activists committed to building a more just and equitable society.
In October 2024, we proudly became the Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. This change refects both the evolution of our feld and the broad scope of our research, curriculum, and community. Beginning in Fall 2025, our BA, minor, and basic certifcate will be ofered as degrees in Women’s and Gender Studies, while our MA and advanced certifcate will transition to degrees in Feminist Studies.
Once more, thank you for your dedication to our programs and your encouragement of our faculty, staf, and students.
Anne Donadey, Ph.D.
Professor and Interim Chair Department of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Thriving in the Aztec Experience
Lorraine Gadsden, Class of 2025 Class Level: Undergraduate Student College: Arts and Letters Major: Women's Studies
Lorraine Gadsden graduated in December 2024 with a double major in political science and women’s studies.
Her time at SDSU was shaped by the feminist praxis she developed in the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department, which she applied in her work with the Women’s Resource Center, the Center for Inclusive Excellence, and as an instructional student assistant for the Political Science Department. She brought these understandings into her eforts to organize campus events, contribute to communitybased research projects, and present at the 2025 Western Political Science Association Conference.
Gadsden was honored as the 2025 Outstanding Graduating Senior for the Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and received the Political Theory Award from the Department of Political Science.
After graduation, Gadsden began working at a local school district ofce, where she supports local educational initiatives. In her free time, Gadsden enjoys exploring new places, trying local food spots, and continuing to build community through engagement and care.
Lorraine Gadsden’s time at SDSU was defned by a strong feminist praxis, which shaped her work organizing events, supporting inclusive spaces, and uplifting community through research and care.
Grayce Honsa, Class of 2024
Class Level: Undergraduate Student College: Arts and Letters
Major: Women's Studies
Grayce Honsa graduated in May 2024 with a double major in political science and women’s studies and a certifcate in human rights.
A frst-generation student, Honsa was not only named the 2024 Outstanding Graduating Senior for our department; they were also selected as the Outstanding Graduating Senior for the College of Arts and Letters.
They served as an intern for the department, a resident advisor for the Residential Education Ofce, and the feminist peer education outreach lead at the Women’s Resource Center.
Honsa is currently working at unspun as an ofce coordinator in the San Francisco Bay Area. They like to watch sunsets at the beach, contribute to community organizing, and read in their free time.
“A frst-generation student and double major, Grayce Honsa was named 2024 Outstanding Graduating Senior for both their department and the College of Arts and Letters.
Celebrating Shared Success
Statistics of Interest
Throughout the past year, Department of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies esteemed faculty published fve books and 20 articles and/or book chapters, many of which are available for review on the Department's faculty and staf webpages
Recent Highlights
The Department of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies is honored to share that several faculty received prestigious awards in 2024-25, including:
Professor Amira Jarmakani received a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) award for faculty at Hispanic-Serving Institutions to work on her upcoming scholarly book. She also received one of two Humanities Scholar Awards from SDSU’s Division of Research and Innovation in Spring 2024.
Associate Professor Irene Lara was selected as the 2025-26 recipient of the Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Faculty Contributions to the University for the College of Arts and Letters. This is one of the top two awards given at SDSU, and Lara is the sixth departmental colleague to have received it.
Assistant Professor Jess Whatcott received one of two Humanities Scholar Awards from SDSU’s Division of Research and Innovation in Spring 2025. They also received the College of Arts and Letters Excellence in Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Award for Tenure-Track Faculty in Spring 2024. Whatcott was tenured and promoted to associate professor in 2025.
Associate Professor Priya Kandaswamy was promoted to the rank of professor in 2025. Lecturer Amanda Beardsley was recognized with the College of Arts and Letters Excellence in Teaching Award in Spring 2025.
Published
Faculty Excellence
In the past year, WGSS faculty published 5 books and 20 articles or chapters.
In 2024–25, WGSS faculty received major honors for research, teaching, and service— including NEH grants, SDSU’s highest awards, tenure promotions, and recognition for excellence.
Co-curricular Activities
Department of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies donors supported co-curricular activities that enhanced the intellectual development of our students and promote community-building:
Bonnie Zimmerman Lesbian Studies Lecture in Fall 2024: Dr. Susy Zepeda, “Opening Intergenerational Pathways to Queerness: Tracing and Remembering Latina Lesbiana Historias and Queer Indígena Art.”
The Young Womxn’s Studies Club (YWSC): YWSC mentors a highly diverse set of 25–35 high school students on feminist issues in weekly sessions. Many of our students volunteer as mentors, and a paid graduate assistant position is dedicated to this program.
Bread and Roses Feminist Research Colloquium Series: “Envisioning & Engaging Feminist Futures for Earth and Its Waters, Lands, and Skies.”
Fall 2024: Documentary screening and discussion: “Can’t Stop Change: Queer Climate Stories from the Florida Frontlines” with Yarrow Koning, co-director, and Barbara Perez.
Spring 2025: Community conversation with artivist scholars Blake Lavia and Tzintzun Aguilar-Izzo, and a talk by Lavia and Aguilar-Izzo on “Speaking Alongside Water: Honoring the Rights and Voice of Nature.”
Spring 2025: Two interactive talks by Tiara Na’Puti on “Indigenous Feminism & Mapping Care Across Archipelagos,” co-sponsored by the Environmental Humanities Lab.
Class of 2025 graduates gather and celebrate before crossing the commencement stage.
Student Success
The Department of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies is proud to share that 11 of 15 seniors graduated with distinction in the major in 2024-2025.
Moreover, many of our undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to succeed in their academic pursuits by caring scholarship donors. Recent recipients of scholarship awards include:
Sue Russell Memorial Scholarship: Briana Aldrete, Alisha Alexander, Jada Alibizures, Ava Alvarado, Yaneli Garcia, and Grayce Honsa
