Women’s and Gender Studies — Renamed and Engaged

An Old Dominion University department that teaches students how to advocate for change has enacted a change of its own.

What had been called as the Department of Women's Studies has been renamed the Department of Women's and Gender Studies.

"We are so pleased to have a department name that encapsulates so much of the work our faculty, staff, and students are engaged in already," wrote department chair Dr. Elizabeth Groeneveld.

The change recognizes the growth of the field to encompass all genders in their complex intersections with other identity categories.

The department, established in 1977, is the oldest of its kind in Virginia. It includes five full-time faculty.

"We're passionate about what we do," Groeneveld said. "We have an established track record of research excellence, and we work hard to foster community."

The department offers students a flexible degree program, with the choice to major or minor in this multi- and interdisciplinary field of study. Students can double major to create a distinct area of academic and applied expertise.

Groeneveld recently shared a congratulatory message to the department's graduating seniors.

"We are excited to see where your path takes you as you continue to navigate the world, equipped with the ability to analyze issues in all their complexity and to effectively advocate for what you believe in."