Sage was well represented at the recent National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA) Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA.  Sybillyn Jennings, Ph.D., professor of psychology, Jean E. Poppei, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology, Shealeen Meaney, Ph.D., assistant professor of English and Michelle Napierski-Prancl, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology; director of the Helen M. Upton Center for Women’s Studies were not only in attendance, but presented “Women in the World: A Roundtable Discussion of Women’s Studies as General Education.” The Upton Center’s Bonnie Kerr served as moderator.

The NWSA conference was an opportunity to share information about RSC’s innovative women’s studies programs and academic service learning with professors from around the country and to learn about the exciting programs that are being implemented at other colleges and universities.

The beginning of the roundtable was comprised of four introductory talks by the faculty on the history of the WORLD program, academic service learning and the relationship between the WST minor and WORLD.  After opening remarks, the topics were offered up for discussion, but those in attendance were rather interested in how to create programs similar to the WORLD program as opposed to critiquing. Roundtable attendees were particularly interested in the ways through which Sage engages the local Troy community through academic service learning and the fact that all students at RSC learn about global women’s issues, not just a select few.

Established in 1977, NWSA has more than 2,000 individual and institutional members worldwide.  The Association provides critical support for members pursuing bold goals on their campuses and in their communities by challenging existing power structures and working to create a world built upon principles of social justice.

The organization hosts an annual conference, sponsors undergraduate and graduate student scholarships, conducts an annual Women of Color Leadership Project, and develops print and electronic resources to support the work of women’s studies professionals.