Gender & Women's Studies

Celebrating Graduation, May 2023

Welcome to the Gender and Women’s Studies and LGBTQ+ Studies celebration of 2023 graduates.

Find more celebration on the campus Spring Commencement page and remember to hashtag your social media with #UWGrad. Best wishes as you graduate. Stay in touch. We love to hear how you are doing and what you are doing in post-graduate life.

GWS MAJORS

Reilly Coon is seated in a grassy field with fall foliage in the distance. Reilly is smiling, wearing a yellow hat and a blue hoodie.

Reilly Coon

GWS has taught me that heart knowledge is just as important as head knowledge! For me, GWS has instilled a curiosity, both intellectual and otherwise. I've been encouraged to ask speculative questions about how we can imagine the world as a better place. In finding the answers to these questions, it's just as important to trust non-standard forms of knowledge (community, emotional, heart, etc.) as it is to trust intellectual knowledge!

Ella Deitz smiling at the camera with short brown hair wearing a black sleeveless outfit.

Ella Deitz

GWS has taught me that working in community is the most important thing. As we learn more about the world and ourselves, being in coalition with others is what brings this learning into a changed reality. With my GWS education, I will continue to read and grow, there is so much I still have yet to learn and so many scholars that I still want to study. I will bring what I've learned so far into my work as a writer and teaching artist.

Megan Gahart is sitting in a cafe holding a book and smiling. Megan has long blond hair and is wearing a horizontal striped shirt. In the background, the doors of the café are open to the outdoors.

Megan Gahart

GWS has taught me the importance of community and the value of listening to the perspective of others.

Karsyn Garber stands in front of a mural. Karsyn has long brown hair, is wearing glasses, and a white short.

Karsyn Garber

GWS has taught me that everyone has differences that are important and change how they view the world. It has taught me new ways to care about other people, and to fight against systems that are creating noticeable inequalities. GWS has given me an opportunity to be uncomfortable and confront that feeling in order to better myself, and I will be forever grateful.

image of Natalia Iding with shoulder-length brown hair standing outside and smiling wearing a rainbow striped shirt

Natalia Iding

GWS and LGBTQ+ Studies has taught me that there are a variety of experiences that people of all genders, sexualities, and positionalities that influence the way people live, think, and give and receive care.

Rachel Litchman stands in front of concrete steps with a colorful mural in the background. Rachel is smiling and is wearing a pale green t-shirt and darker green shorts.

Rachel Litchman

With my GWS education, I will continue to advocate for disability justice, recognize I always have room to learn and unlearn, and apply what I’ve learned about intersectionality and leadership from the most impacted to my work in the youth services sector.

image of Lauren Lunde standing outside with long brown hair, sunglasses on top of hair, wearing a white t-shirt and blue shorts, smiling at the camera.

Lauren Lunde

GWS has taught me to look at the world through a wider lens. This major has provided me with the tools to think critically, educate others, and understand the importance of diversity in all aspects of life. With my GWS education, I plan to utilize my GWS background to address health inequities by bringing innovative and inclusive public health practices to the forefront.

image of India-Bleu Niehoff: a closeup selfie with long auburn hair smiling at the camera.

India-Blue Niehoff

With my GWS education, I will be able to recognize, challenge, and (ultimately) change systems of oppression and marginalization, creating a world in which we are all safe and welcome.

image of McKenzie Raethe: closeup selfie of McKenzie with long brown hair smiling at the camera.

McKenzie Raethke

With my GWS education, I will continue to work toward human rights for all. I will attend nursing school post-graduation to become a labor and delivery nurse. I want to use my education to create welcoming environments for my patients.

Amanda Ready is posed, smiling in this selfie taken in front of the probe that she designed for her senior thesis research in the Physics department.

Amanda Ready

GWS has taught me how to do DEI work within physics, which is something I care about doing very much.

image of Isabella Ricker with long brown hair smiling at the camera wearing a graduation cap and gown.

Isabella Ricker

GWS has taught me that caring for myself and my community is vital and radical.

image of Samantha Starks standing and smiling at the camera. Samantha has long black hair pulled back, is wearing a red handkerchief around their neck and a grey/blue sleeveless top. They are smiling at the camera.

Samantha Starks

GWS has taught me that understanding my intersectional identities is a powerful tool that is always evolving! This deeper engagement with myself allows me to have the confidence to interact and learn from identities and communities different from mine.

image of Kimberly Strathas with long brown hair and a white top smiling at the camera and standing in front of a body of water.

Kimberly Stathas

With my GWS education I will become a healthcare provider who interacts with patients via the tenants of feminist biology. I hope to support, empower, and learn alongside my patients in a way that contributes most to their health and happiness. This means providing all-inclusive, all-welcoming care and doing continuous work to learn, empathize, and support identities that are different from my own as well as engaging in social activism so as to put such efforts into action.

image of Amelia Weidemann sitting on a pier at the union with shoulder-length brown hair, smiling at the camera

Amelia Weidemann

GWS has taught me that all of our livelihoods are connected, whether that’s through oppressive systems of gender, race, class, etc. or simply the space we occupy together and the air we breathe. Our shared well-being is dependent on collectivity that acknowledges we don’t need to be the same to be kind. Also, that it’s okay to talk about the clitoris and how cool it is (shout out GWS 103)!

Ava Wilkerson smiles in this close up. Ava has wavy long brown hair.

Ava Wilkerson

GWS has taught me that we must view every aspect of our lives through a critical lens and that all of us carry the important job of being more kind, thoughtful, and accepting people.

GWS/LGBTQ+ STUDIES CERTIFICATES

Hannah Daniels has long blond hair and smiles in this close up photo.

Hannah Daniels

With my LGBTQ+ Studies education, I will be a clinical psychologist who will have skills to effectively serve a diverse range of patients including an emphasis on the LGBTQ+ community!

Caitlin Dolan smiles at the camera wearing a red-brimmed baseball cap in this close up.

Caitlin Dolan

GWS has taught me that empathy and compassion should be at the center of everything we do, and GWS allowed me to learn how to apply that to all aspects of my education.

Stacy Ducheny grins at the camera wearing a pale blue headband holding a brown and white dog.

Stacy Ducheny

GWS has taught me that gender is a performance and a social construct, but it is also unavoidable in our current culture, and so understanding it is an important tool and my GWS classes helped me understand that.

Ashlyn Friedrichs poses in front of rocks, palm trees, and the beach. Ashlyn is wearing a light, short sleeve short and dark pants.

Ashlyn Friedrichs

GWS has taught me that gender, sexuality, race, ability, and other facets of our identities connect to everything--politics, economics, education, professional careers, etc. I have become a better active listener and participator through course discussions which I think has helped me become an effective communicator. I think my GWS certificate was the most impactful part of my education because it opened my eyes to the connection between intersectional identities and systemic oppression, and it helped me understand how to challenge what we typically think of as norms of our society.

Annaly Garcia smiles wearing her BS white coat in front of Signe Skott Cooper Hall.

Annaly Garcia

GWS has taught me that it's okay to continue to learn more about yourself as you grow older. I never how to describe my experiences as a queer, Latine, woman of color in a predominantly institution, but the professors, teaching assistants, and readings helped me learn about the concept of intersectionality. Therefore, I could understand myself in a better sense and also felt validated with my unique experiences.

Caitlyn Halfon stands with arms crossed and wearing an ivory short-sleeved shirt in front a glass-paned dark green door. Carolyn has shoulder-length brown hair.

Caitlyn Halfon

GWS has taught me that empathy and compassion should be at the center of everything we do, and GWS allowed me to learn how to apply that to all aspects of my education.

Francisca Ibanez stands on a balcony with a view of an urban landscape behind her. Francisca wears a white shirt and jeans and has long brown hair.

Francisca Ibañez

GWS has taught me that there are a multiplicity of valid experiences and there is value in learning from one another's experiences because we are able to situate these lived embodiments and then apply them to relevant material.

Drew Harris smiles in this portrait photo with a marbled grey background. Drew has long, dark blond hair.

Drew Harris

With my GWS education, I will attend Loyola University Chicago School of Law!

Paige Henry smiles in this portrait wearing a BSN white coat in front of a pine tree.

Paige Henry

With my GWS education, I will do my best to advocate for my LGBTQIA+ patients in my future role as a registered nurse. I will strive to ensure each of my patients feel comfortable and supported throughout their healthcare journey. I hope to continue to educate myself about the unique needs of the LGBTQIA+ population in order to foster positive healthcare-related experiences for them.

Aimee Melendez stands in front of Signe Skott Cooper Hall wearing a BSN white coat, a yellow dress, and holding a bouquet of flowers.

Aimee Melendez

With my GWS education, I will continue to share LGBTQ+ information and resources in my communities and stay up to date on policy changes affecting LGBTQ+ identifying people. I also hope to work as a women’s health nurse and utilize the information I learned in my GWS classes to improve the women’s health sector.

Abigail Perkins smiles against a light brick backdrop wearing a black headband and wears a black top and khaki shorts.

Abigail Perkins

GWS has taught me that the human experience is so multifaceted, and the history of women and gender-nonconforming people is rich and beautifully complex! I have learned so much about myself and those around me, and I feel so lucky to have been a part.

Rachel Mirviss smiles wearing a red and black graduation gown in front of a stone wall and glass-paned wooden doors with brass handles.

Rachel Mirviss

GWS has taught me that it's important to have knowledge about our bodies and the way we interact with others. I believe in the importance of having an understanding of this phenomenon, which allows for space to be made for all of us to acknowledge our privilege, recognize different perspectives and points of view, and make informed decisions when interacting with others. Sexual education and awareness are vital to our safety, health, and happiness. My GWS classes have helped me see the world through more informed eyes.

Sofia Irigoyen Barrientos smiles in front of trees wrapped with lights. Socia wears a bright pink dress and a pearl necklace.

Sofia Irigoyen-Barrientos

GWS has taught me that there is space for intersectionality in every aspect of life, whether that be academic or personal. GWS courses have opened a world of deep introspection, critical empathy, and provocative advocacy for me. I've been able to dive into literature that I relate to, and explore parts of myself that I didn't know needed so badly to be seen. I have learned about the creation and performance of identity, gender, sexuality, and have absorbed those perspectives into my own worldview--my time in GWS & LGBTQ+ studies has been transformational, to say the least.

Erin Kennon smiles in front of a leafy background. Erin has long blond hair, wears glasses, and wears a white shirt and a blue jacket.

Erin Kennon

GWS has taught me that there is still so much for me to learn on my journey of being a better advocate for all people who experience inequalities.

Emily Kurtin smiles in front of a wrought-iron background. Emily wears a white shirt and a black jacket.

Emily Kurtin

GWS has taught me to question and critically examine the status quo and norms. I have discovered more about myself and my own identity, as well as others' identities. I have been able to explore how critical gender is in so many issues we face today. Most of all, I have learned that I still have so much to learn and understand, so I must continue having conversations with others and educating myself.

Ami Lieberman smiles at a window with Science Hall in the background. Ami has long brown hair and wears a black shirt.

Ami Lieberman

My GWS education will inform my future career as a therapist. I hope to provide a welcoming, inclusive space for people of all identities and my GWS education has prepared me to do so.

Justice smiles with Library Mall in the background and trees with orange-green leaves. Justice has long brown hair and wears a black shirt.

Justice Moore

GWS has taught me that the different facets of our identities, such as gender, race, and disability, intersect and impact our experiences in every area of life.

Alyssa Rodriguez smiles with green trees in the background. Alyssa has dark, flowing brown hair and wears red lipstick.

Alyssa Rodriguez

GWS has taught me that within higher education, we can make spaces accessible, inclusive, and safe for every individual. It takes effort and we must acknowledge the barriers that exist for many members of our community, especially our marginalized students.

Roshnie Rupnarain smiles wearing a burgundy shirt and her hair pulled back with market stalls in the background.

Roshnie Rupnarain

GWS has taught me that there are people, groups, and experiences far beyond me, and GWS has taught me how to approach and learn from them, as well as how to support them.

Madison Schwartz stands against a railing, smiling, and with an urban backdrop.

Madison Schwartz

With my GWS education, I will make sure to be cognizant of minority voices in all senses (race, gender, sex, etc.) in all issues.

Maura Swan smiles in front of a grassy hill, green trees, and blue sky. Maura is wearing a dark green shirt and has long, brown hair.

Maura Swan

With my GWS education, I will follow a trauma-informed approach to help future clients identify and address the impact of traumatic experiences and develop strategies for healing and resilience.

image of Jessie Taft with long brown hair wearing a red hat and a black Wisconsin Badger's sweatshirt smiling at the camera with mountains in the background at night

Jessie Taft

GWS and LGBTQ+ Studies have taught me that I can be whoever I want to be and there is no limit to my personhood. There are a lot of different people in the world and it is important to respect everyone.

image of Olivia Van Hammond sitting outside near a waterfall wearing a white sweatshirt smiling at the camera with brown hair pulled back and sunglasses on top of head.

Olivia Van Hammond

With my GWS education, I will go into the reproductive health field in both clinical and public health avenues. I hope to take what I have learned in my certificate classes and advocate for reproductive justice with not only my patients, but communities as well.

Mia Wolfe

GWS has taught me that it is important to critically examine the systems of power that shape our everyday experiences, especially from an intersectional perspective.

image of Erin Wruk standing in front of rainbow-colored steps turning towards the camera and smiling wearing a dress and smiling

Erin Wruk

GWS has taught me that there is always more learning to be done, even about the things we have been taught to accept as given.

image of Annika Zuverink sitting outside in front of sand and water with blonde/brown hair pulled back into a bun smiling at the camera wearing a blue/grey sweater.

Annika Zuverink

GWS has taught me that I need to look critically at the systems in the world. Most systems deliberately disadvantage various groups of people, and I need to examine these systems, find out how they have contributed to my own biases and internalized feelings, and actively push back against the systemic barriers in place for all people.

image of Ashlinn Thomas sitting outside with brown hair pulled back wearing a black top and black coat smiling at the camera

Ashlinn Thomas

With my GWS education, I will pursue an EdM in counseling and eventually open my own private practice to serve the LGBTQ+ community!

image of Lily Englebert sitting in a booth at a restaurant smiling at the camera with long brown hair

Lily Englebert

With my GWS education, I will stay curious and open to learning about all people. The GWS program here has taught me to be more compassionate & how to listen better, and for that I am very grateful.

image of Elise Fjelstad with bright red/pink hair standing outside in front of a fruit tree wearing glasses and smiling at the camera

Elise Fjelstad

GWS has taught me that there should be space for all marginalized people in academia and that there is power in holding space. With my GWS education, I will incorporate ideas, frameworks, and missions from GWS into my Sociology graduate studies.

image of Stephanie Kressin with blonde hair and glasses sitting outside smiling at the camera

Stephanie Kressin

GWS has taught me a deeper understanding of how the construction of gender and sexualities relate to the oppression of women and historically marginalized populations, and to structures of privilege. With my GWS education, I will be able to treat all of my future students with a deeper sense of compassion and understanding.

image of Koda Parker sitting and smiling at the camera with short nearly buzzed black hair and big circular glasses wearing a dark teal turtleneck and gold necklace.

Koda Parker

GWS has taught me that people of all backgrounds and identities have something to offer the world and are worth celebrating and fighting for.

MA STUDENTS

Orion Risk smiles in this portrait photo wearing glasses, a collared shirt, and a dark jacket.

Orion Risk

I will continue investigating discourses of care at the sites of gender, communication, and performance. I'll carry with me strong collegial relationships from GWS and two great pieces of advice: "anticipate criticism" and "state the stakes on the first page."

GENDER AND WOMEN'S STUDIES AND LGBTQ+ STUDIES GRADS

MA Students in GWS

Oliver DiPietro
Rae Flores
Samantha Miller
Becca Owen
Orion Lee Risk
Madison Whaley

GWS Majors

Ava Josephine Alt
Tessa Jade Berry
Macy Shannon Booth
Reilly Anne Coon
Ella Deitz
Megan Grace Gahart
Yesenia Gamero
Karsyn Elizabeth Garber
Ciara Danielle Hassinger
Madison Noreen Helton
Cody Huff
Natalia Andronica Iding
Mackenzie Eileen Killberg
Rachel Danielle Litchman
Lauren Elizabeth Lunde
Maya Martinez
Gia Bao Khanh Nguyen
India-Bleu Niehoff
Gray O’Leary
Erin Pearson
Thomas Richard Quigley
McKenzie Lou Raethke
Amanda Anna Ready
Isabella Giovanna Ricker

GWS Majors (cont.)

Chloe Lee Schmit
Elyssa Jill Seltzer
Claire Sester
Mackenzie Rose Stalter
Samantha Starks
Kimberly Louise Stathas
Grace Geme Vieaux Tiedt
Marisa Millie Triggiano
Amelia Anne Weidemann
Ava Jane Wilkerson

LGBTQ+ Studies Certificates

Aidan Michael Aragon
Macy Shannon Booth
Isabel Marina Butz
Francisca Ana Corona
Hannah Nicole Daniels
Cecilia Grace Ellis
Natalia Andronica Iding
Maia Sage Kurr
Asa Shea McFarland
Abigail Tracy Moravec
Lindsey Christine Neumann
Jacy Louise Olszewski
Abigail Seitz
Jessie Taft
Ashlinn Elaine Thomas

GWS Certificates

Kristen Acuna-Huete
Alexandra Jean Alberts
Jossalyn Sheri Amble
Erin Anderson
Aidan Michael Aragon
Joelle Bayron
Ava Nichole Bell
Eloise Star Bennan
Naomi Bemnet Bergena
Tierney Bilstrom
Kaylee Cheyenne Susan Bittner
Bailey Kate Blaikie
Carley Blake
Sierra Aleya Block
Alice Kathryn Borgwardt
Gracie Brandt-Fontaine
Talia Braufman
Elizabeth Kathleen Breider
Margaret Caroline Brhel
Anna Kathryn Brookens
Grace Bujan
Haviland Denise Byrd
Addison Leigh Carriere
Stephanie Chen
Mildred Sifa Chome
Saffiyatou Cisse
Rachael Cole
Niamh Collins
Reilly Anne Coon
Karson Corcoran
Ella Deitz
Maanasa Devabhaktuni
Jack Diedrich
Caitlin Dolan
Ezra Donhauser
Samantha Downey
Ana Drost
Linnea Drott
Stacy Ducheny
Olivia Egan
Cecilia Ellis
Zachary Elvord-Zolot
Lily Englebert
Eleanor Erlandson
Beatriz Eulogio
Riley Feiner
Amelia Feuerer
Madeleine Fingerson
Elise Fjelstad
Ximena Flores
Ashlyn Friedrichs
Yesenia Gamero
Annaly Garcia
Natalie Lauren Gauss
Anjali Gilbertson
Johana Gutierrez
Caitlyn Halfon
Maggie Hanner
Drew Harris
Isaiah Hejdak
Paige Henry

GWS Certificates (cont.)

Natalie Hidalgo
Danielle Homa
Katrina Hunt
Alexis Huven
Destiny Huven
Kylie Hynes
Francisca Ibanez
Sofia Irigoyen-Barrientos
Hannah Izdepski
Isabelle Jackson
Kassidy Johns
Maryn Johnson
Libby Judge
Emma Kaebisch
Cailie Keating
Kelly Keenan
Sarah Keilman
Erin Kennon
Abigail Kilgore
Kaitlin Knocke
Anna Kombrink
Katherine Kost
Stephanie Kressin
Lucienne Kromer
Gabrielle Kucko
Ria Kumari
Emily Kurtin
Samantha Leib
Gavin Liang
Ami Lieberman
Megan Lolling
Brianna Lopez
Pa Dao Lor
Lauren Lunde
Jasmine Machhi
Ellen Magdaleno
Gianna Marlow
Mallory May
Sarah McAvoy
Mackenzie McEvoy
Asa McFarland
Rachel McGinley
Kylie McInerney
Aimee Melendez
Lauren Meyer
Karina Miller
Nyah Miller
Rachel Mirviss
Ksenia Monastyrskaya
Justice Moore
Abigail Moravec
Julia Myers
Amelia Neitzel
Cordelia Nguyen
Sarah Nustad
Erin O’Brien
Megan O’Brien
Brooke O’Connor
Kate O’Leary
Giulia Palermo
Koda Parker

GWS Certificates (cont.)

Riley Parker
Andrea Patino
Abigail Perkins
Reagan  Pfeif
Natalie Phebus
Sasha Pico
Rose Quinlan
Amari Rios
Aryana Rita
Isabella Roberts
Alyssa Rodriguez
Maria Del Carmen Rosales
Mallory Rudolph
Roshnie Rupnarain
Adam Samuel
Armando Sanchez
Kathryn Scallon
Timothy Schauf
Madison Schwartz
Lindsey Scribner
Elyssa Seltzer
Courtney Shady
Ambika Sharma
Ella Shatzky
Makayla Shaver
Kalli Sheedlo
Morgan Snyder
Jillian Soderman
A’vion Solis-Mckinney
Salome Sookoo
Anna Speckien
Erika Spivack
Marisa Stark
Samantha Starks
Kylie Stastny
Kimberly Stathas
Maura Swan
Jessie Taft
Leah Terry
Olivia Thompson
Taryn Toijala
C. N. Trainor
Olivia Van Hammond
Madelyn Vilker
Madeline Walaszek
Grant Wallace
Grace Walsh
Muen Wang
Ava Warner
Artemis Weickert
Kaden Whitt
Grace Willen
Alexis Williams
Samantha Williams
Zoe Wittenwyler
Mia Wolfe
Erin Wruk
Gaoia Xiong
Emily Zhang
Rachel Zimmerman
Annika Zuverink