Howard University in Washington D.C., recently launched the Center for Women, Gender and Global Leadership. The center aims to engage in innovative research and programming to advance women and gender issues for students. In line with the center’s mission to build an interdisciplinary global center of excellence focused on women’s issues, feminist activism and transformational leadership, the center’s work will focus on five core areas:
- Law and social justice;
- Entrepreneurial leadership;
- Politics and public policy;
- Science and technology; and
- Health and wellness.
The center will serve as a hub for curriculum development and the newly announced minor in women, gender and sexualities studies, housed in the department of interdisciplinary studies. Other programming will include the launch of an annual lecture series, graduate and undergraduate fellowships, development of a pipeline to leadership program for students, as well as grantmaking for interdisciplinary, action-oriented faculty research.
“The inauguration of the Center for Women, Gender and Global Leadership marks another important milestone in Howard’s history,” said J. Jarpa Dawuni, an associate professor of political science and director of the center. “We are grateful to our founding donors, for planting the seed for the great work to be accomplished. We look forward to strengthening the rich legacy and work that has already been done by the women of Howard and extending this rich legacy to impact our national and global communities.”
Dr. Dawuni is a graduate of the University of Ghana. She holds a master’s degree in international development studies from Ohio University and a Ph.D. in comparative African politics and international relations from Georgia State University.