WGSS Department Student Awards
Applications for Student Awards will open early Spring 2026.
Every Spring semester, graduating WGSS seniors are eligible to apply for our department student awards. Our student awards showcase and recognize the academic, leadership, and activism work of our students. Awardees will receive an award certificate, a gift certificate and be featured on our Instagram page, website, and in our yearly newsletter. The awardees will be awarded in a ceremony that is held at our spring graduation celebration in May. This award can be listed on your C.V. and resumes and will be listed in the official graduation program as the WGSS awardees.
Listed below are the 3 awards students can apply for. Note: students can apply for all 3 awards so long as they meet the requirements.
Feminist Academic Excellence Award
Formerly known as 鈥淭he Sharon Sievers Scholarly Award,鈥 this award honors a graduating student who has demonstrated an exceptional engagement with the field of Women鈥檚, Gender, and Sexuality Studies through a culminating research paper or a Capstone paper.
For WGSS majors graduating Spring/Summer or Fall of academic year. Must have 3.0 cumulative GPA and 3.3 GPA in all WGSS coursework.
Students must submit a 250-word synopsis of major research project related to the study of women, gender, and/or sexuality. Examples of research include
a capstone project or culminating research paper. Applications can consist of research currently in progress.
Feminist Leadership Award
Formerly known as 鈥淭he bell hooks Transforming Lives Award,鈥 this award honors a graduating student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership using feminist knowledge and skills to address power imparity and social inequalities.
Students must be a WGSS major or minor graduating Spring/Summer or Fall of the academic year. Must have earned a 3.0 cumulative GPA & 3.3 GPA in all WGSS coursework.
In a 250-word synopsis, describe the transformation you have experienced because you engaged with WGSS theory and practice. In addition, you may include any reflection or insight based on your embodied experience.
Radical Feminist Activist Award
Formerly known as 鈥淭he Dolores Huerta Activism Award,鈥 this award honors a graduating student who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to feminist activism and social justice on or off campus.
Students must be a WGSS major or minor graduating Spring/Summer or Fall of the academic year. Must have earned a 3.0 cumulative GPA & 3.3 GPA in all WGSS coursework.
Students must submit a 250-word description of your social justice or feminist involvement and the specific role in this work. The work can include both on or off campus activities.
