Recently Utah State University closed its Center for Women and Gender. But it has now announced the launch of the new Center for Intersectional Gender Studies and Research. The new interdisciplinary center will provide a broader focus on issues at the intersection of identities, such as gender and gender identity, race, class, sexual orientation, nationality, and disability.
“This change will reinvigorate the university’s efforts in the area of gender studies and create even more opportunities for student academic success and for research by faculty and students,” said Utah State President Noelle Cockett.
Women’s studies at Utah State began in 1974 with the establishment of the Women’s Center for Lifelong Learning. Academic programs in women’s studies were established a year later. In 2010, the Center for Women and Gender was founded.
The new center will be under the direction of Christy Glass, a professor of sociology at the university. Dr. Glass joined the faculty at Utah State in 2005. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds two master’s degrees and a Ph.D. in sociology from Yale University. Dr. Glass’ research is focused on the factors that shape the careers of women leaders as well as the organizational factors that limit mothers’ access to career advancement.