Students and alumni from Appalachian State University's Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies (GWS) program are earning recognition for their academic achievements, research and graduate school success.
In 2022, GWS students Katie Williard and Oliver Bandong presented their research at the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies South (WGS-South) Conference. Additionally, Oliver Bandong received the Henderson Springs LGBT Center Scholarship Award, while GWS alumna Caitlin Smith was accepted into the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies master's program at the University of North Carolina Greensboro.
Katie Williard explores feminist approaches to farming
Katie Williard, a double major in Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies and Psychology with a minor in Animal Studies, presented research based on her capstone thesis, which was supervised by Dr. Sushmita Chatterjee.
Passionate about farming, queer theory, food studies and ecofeminism, Williard examined the contours of feminist farming and analyzed how feminist practices can inform farming, and how farming practices can, in turn, inform feminist thought. Her research considered transnational approaches to sustainability and explored how feminist perspectives can help reimagine local and global agricultural spaces. Drawing on feminist and queer theory and practice, her project proposed new ways of thinking about farming and social change.
Williard is also a recipient of the Callegari Animal Studies Award.
Oliver Bandong examines contemporary BIPOC representation in media
Oliver Bandong (they/them), a third-year GWS major, is interested in the intersections of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC studies and experiences. Their presentation at WGS-South grew from an independent research interest developed through conversations with faculty mentor Dr. Sushmita Chatterjee during the 2021-22 academic year.
Their project analyzed changing depictions of BIPOC individuals in contemporary media. While earlier scholarship documented both a lack of representation and the prevalence of stereotypes, Bandong's research argues that increased representation alone does not necessarily signal a more meaningful or celebratory portrayal of differences. The project was developed outside of coursework and is expected to serve as the foundation for a future capstone thesis, with plans to continue the work in graduate school.
In 2022, Bandong was also named a recipient of the Henderson Springs LGBT Center Scholarship Award.
Caitlin Smith begins graduate studies at UNC Greensboro
Caitlin Smith, a member of Appalachian State's Class of 2021, currently works as a financial advisor with Populus Financial. In August, she will begin the Master of Arts program in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies at UNC Greensboro.
Looking ahead, Smith plans to pursue a doctoral degree in Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies, become a professor and potentially return to Appalachian State as an instructor.
Together, the accomplishments of Williard, Bandong and Smith highlight the academic excellence, scholarly engagement and continued success of students and alumni in Appalachian State's Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies program.
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