The Center for Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) at Florida Atlantic supports faculty, students, and programming across the interdisciplinary fields of women’s studies, gender studies, sexuality studies, and more. Graduate and undergraduate students take classes with nationally and internationally known faculty in fields such as:
- Anthropology,
- Art History,
- English,
- Criminal Justice,
- Communication & Multimedia Studies,
- History,
- Languages, Linguistics, and Comparative Literature,
- Nursing,
- Political Science,
- Sociology, and of course,
- Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGSS).
Public programming and events fulfill the field’s foundational commitment to praxis, or the unification of theory and practice.
The Center for WGSS offers a Master’s of Arts degree, a graduate certificate, and an undergraduate minor.
Graduates with experience in WGSS are highly sought after in a wide variety of professions, and our alumni work in law, education, communications, media, healthcare, advocacy, politics, technology, and business.
The Women’s Studies Center at Florida Atlantic was founded in 1986, with approval for a change of name to the Center for Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies in 2009. During the past three decades, we have grown in numbers, visibility, and influence on campus. In addition to their formal academic training, students enjoy opportunities to work on faculty members’ research, assist in teaching and curriculum development, contribute to the Center’s newsletter, participate in the Feminist Graduate Student Association, collaborate with the Women’s Resource and Community Connection as part of OwlsCare, and take part in activities on campus and in the community.
Center for WGSS Industry Advisory Board
Our MissionThe members of the CWGSS Industry Advisory Board are advocates in the community promoting awareness, engagement, and mentorship to foster academic excellence and support of students, alumni, faculty, and programs of the Florida Atlantic Center for Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGSS).
Stephanie Alvarez, M.A.
Staff Experience Manager for Working Families Party
Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters
Center for Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Boca Raton Campus
Rebecca André
Board Member | Co-Chair, CWGSS Industry Advisory Board
Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters
Center for Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Boca Raton Campus
Katy Haynicz-Smith
Manager of Nursing Education Content
Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters
Center for Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Boca Raton Campus
Roger Messenger
Licensed Professional Engineer | WGSS Industry Advisory Board Member
Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters
Center for Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Boca Raton Campus
Erica Nelson
English Teacher and Academic Advisor
Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters
Center for Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Boca Raton Campus
Sam Orozco
Sexual Assault Victim Advocate
Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters
Center for Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Boca Raton Campus
Adrienne Percival
Director of Development | Co-Chair, WGSS Industry Advisory Board
Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters
Center for Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Boca Raton Campus
Sara Salman
Strategy and Corporate Development Manager
Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters
Center for Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Boca Raton Campus
Sarah Tucker
Education and Outreach Coordinator
Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters
Center for Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Boca Raton Campus
Contact WGSS
For more information about the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) programs and degrees, please contact Dr. Carla María Thomas, WGSS Director, at carlathomas@fau.edu.