Published: May 25, 2018

Faculty, staff, alumni, family and friends gathered together in Old Main Chapel on May 10, 2018 to celebrate our graduates and recognize our scholarship and award winners. This year, we had 22 students graduate with a bachelor's degree in women and gender studies, 28 earn a minor, 6 receive the undergraduate certificate in women and gender studies, and 5 students complete the graduate certificate.

For the Major in
Women & Gender Studies:

Lorena Aguilera Santana
Lorena is an international student from Mexico, graduating with a double major in women and gender studies and sociology, with a certificate in leadership studies. Lorena received the 2018 Jacob Van Ek award, and magna cum laude Latin honors in sociology. She would like to thank her family, partner, and friends for all their support and encouragement.

Nadia Brecl
Nadia is graduating with degrees in sociology and women and gender studies, a minor in ethnic studies, and certificates in public health and LGBTQ studies. They have been active in Gender Justice League, Triota Honor Society, and worked as a program coordinator at the CU Women鈥檚 Resource Center. Nadia is also a 2018 Jacob Van Ek award winner.

Kate Dooley
Kate has earned degrees in both women and gender studies and English literature. After graduation she will be pursuing a master's in English literature at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. She plans to write a master鈥檚 thesis that includes a feminist and queer examination into British Romantic female novelists.听

Ellen Gelman
Ellen is graduating with a degree in women and gender studies, a minor in sociology, and an elementary education certificate. After graduation, she plans to teach elementary school and advocate for social justice in her classroom and beyond.

Joshua Kirby
Joshua has completed degrees in both sociology and women and gender studies, as well as the LGBTQ certificate. They are a member of the Triota Honor Society. Joshua read their poem "Utopian Futures" to open up our commencement ceremony.

Abigail Madeline Levitt
Abby is graduating with degrees in both women and gender studies and psychology, with a certificate in LGBTQ studies. She was a learning assistant for two semesters in the class Women's Mental Health. She would like to thank her Mom for keeping her together, her grandpa for being an encouraging force in her life, Dr. Tina Pittman Wagers, and Dr. Emmanuel David for fostering a love for Queer Studies. She is planning on attending graduate school in the fall of 2019.

Stuart Rayne Matson
Stuart is graduating with a BA in women and gender studies, a minor in sociology, and an emphasis in creative writing. Stuart has also earned the Certificate in Global Gender and Sexuality Studies. She has enjoyed the opportunities to dive into and strengthen her writing at CU, with various topics from researching sexual assault on CU's campus to continuing her work on her rock opera. After graduation she plans to travel the world. Stuart would especially like to thank Sarah Massey-Warren, Robert Buffington, and Glenda Walden.

Zoe Nefouse
Zoe has earned a major in women and gender studies and a minor in creative writing. She is a member of Triota Honor Society, a Chabad student board member, and a staff member at the Gender and Sexuality Center. After graduation, she plans to move back to California, moisturize her skin, and continue to educate herself and others on how to make this world a more compassionate place. She would like to thank her mother and father for giving her unwavering love, support and trust; as well as every friend, family member, and stranger who has willingly sat through a (probably unprompted, yet painfully in-depth) analysis of The Discourse鈩 and maybe even changed their perspective on issues because of it.

Adriana Portillo
Adriana is graduating with both double majors in women and gender studies and psychology as well as double minors in sociology and ethnic studies.听She is a member of Pi Lambda Chi Latina Sorority Incorporated, and studied abroad in Alicante Spain for the fall 2017 semester where she completed an internship at the local Red Cross, helping women who have experienced domestic violence. She would like to thank her family and friends for the unconditional support, and would also like to thank the Department of Women and Gender Studies for helping her find her voice on such a large campus.

Emma Louise Morgan Presley
Emma has earned a major in women and gender studies, a minor in political science, and certificates in LGBTQ studies and applied business. She served as the president of the Triota Honor Society, president and event coordinator of the Gay Straight Alliance, was an active member of the Gender Justice League, and worked with 麻豆影院's Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence as both a children's advocate and domestic abuse response team member. Emma would like to express her immense gratitude for her family, both given and chosen, for their unconditional love and support. She would also like to thank the entire Department of Women and Gender Studies, especially Professor Montoya and Joanne Belknap, for their mentorship over the past four years.听

Oriana Marie Richmond听
Oriana is graduating with a degree in women and gender studies, and minors in Spanish and political science. She was the 2017 recipient of the WGST Jean Dubofsky听Scholarship, and is the president and founder of Buffs for Reproductive Rights, a Planned Parenthood Generation Action student group that works to make sure all students at CU 麻豆影院 have the access to exercise their reproductive rights to comprehensive, safe, and affordable healthcare. After graduation, she will be working as a community organizer with Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. She would like to thank her parents Angel and Dan Richmond for always supporting her goals and giving her the tool box she needed to achieve them. She truly appreciates the sacrifices that you have made for her so that she was able to go to college and graduate today. She would also like to thank her friends and her girlfriend for giving her so much love every day, and making her college experience worth much more than a degree.

Priya Robb
Priya is graduating with degrees in sociology and women and gender studies, along with a minor in leadership. Priya was recognized with the outstanding senior award from Panhellenic council. She would especially like to give thanks to her parents.

Nicole Marie Rosato
Nicole is graduating with a degree in women and gender studies, a minor in sociology, and has also earned a Certificate in Global Gender and Sexuality Studies. After graduation she plans to spend some time recuperating in Indonesia before attending law school in California, (hopefully Pepperdine!), and to continue her volunteer and advocacy work with victims of intimate partner violence.

Maren Grace Rosenbach
Maren is graduating with a degree in women and gender studies, and is also a member of the Triota Honor Society. Maren says it has taken her 22 years to reach this moment, and she could not be prouder for never giving up, for believing in herself, and for having the courage to be in spaces that went against "normative" timelines. She would like to thank Professor Bayard de Volo for her guidance and kindness, never letting her feel like she did not belong. She is grateful to all the WGST staff, faculty, and peers for giving her a language to express her internal feminist trait that needed releasing; to her community college educators particularly Maryann Grim and Kathleen Hefley; her rockstar friends and family for their constant encouragement and love; to Gianna and Sydney, who inspire her to walk through this world with fierceness and brilliance by example, and lastly, she would like to thank Fletcher for teaching her that she is worthy and for showing her unconditional love.

Shannon Gisela Small
Shannon is graduating with degrees in women and gender studies, and humanities with English emphasis. They are the co-president of CU Humanities club and the Aro&Ace student group. After graduation Shannon plans to take a year off before going to graduate school.听She would like to thank her father, as well as all her friends, for giving her the support and environment she needed to succeed in university over the last four years.听

Alyssa Stephens
Alyssa has completed degrees in both communication and women and gender studies. She worked as a resident advisor in Libby Hall for two years, including one year as the senior resident advisor, and helped found To Write Love on Her Arms at CU, a student group advocating for mental health awareness. After graduation she plans to continue working in collegiate residence life.

Jacqueline Tillman
Jacqueline is graduating with a major in women and gender studies, a minor in ethnic studies, and a certificate in LGBTQ studies. Jacqueline transferred to CU from Front Range Community College, is a member of Triota Honor Society, and received the Lucile Berkeley Buchanan Scholarship in 2017. They also worked as a rape crisis advocate at Moving to End Sexual Assault and the Colorado Organization for Victim鈥檚 Assistance. Jacqueline would like to thank Dr. Misri for finding them where they were. Like Sara Ahmed writes of first reading Audre Lorde, Dr. Misri鈥檚 classes have been their feminist lifeline: 鈥渏ust enough to bear my weight, pull me out, and help me survive.鈥 They would like to thank Dr. Emmanuel David for venturing into and dwelling with their amorphous archival project. Their support has challenged them, in the Mu帽ozian sense, to feel hope, glimpse utopia, and conjure possible futurities. They would also like to thank Alicia Turchette & Valerie Bhat for their laughter and care across semesters, Beth Whalley for their life-world of queer love, their parents for their unfathomable support, and their sister, Gab. 鈥淚, too, overflow.鈥

Allegra Twichell
Allegra has completed degrees in both women and gender studies and ethnic studies and certificates in Global Gender and Sexuality Studies and LGBTQ studies. She would like to thank her mom for being a feminist inspiration in her life and her dad for always being accepting and incredibly supportive. She would also like to thank her best friends for their friendship and the amazing faculty in the department for guiding her through her journey at CU.

Katie Wallace
Katie has completed her degree in women and gender studies. After听驳谤补诲耻补迟颈辞苍 she plans to help elect millennials to congress, because she is tired of watching old white men ruin this country and the world. She would like to thank the women and gender studies听department, and specifically Dr. Celeste Montoya,听for their time, dedication, and patience, and for demonstrating to her just听how personal the political truly is.听She would also like to thank her family, born-with and chosen,听for guiding her with love,听strength, and compassion. She writes, 鈥淓very ounce of me that is good is because of you.鈥澨

Also completing the Major in Women and Gender Studies, but not in attendance:

Morgan Buchanan

Audrey Anna Jorgensen

Amanda Xavier Trejos

WGST Commencement 2018
Congratulations Class of 2018!

Video: Commencement 2018

WGST Commencement 2018
2018 WGST Graduates

WGST Commencement 2018
Beginning the Graduation Processional

WGST Commencement 2018
Faculty and Graduates Process to Old Main

WGST Commencement 2018
Joshua Kirby reading opening poem

"Utopian Futures": Josh Kirby

WGST Commencement 2018
Graduates, Family & Friends in Old Main

WGST Commencement 2018
Zoe Nefouse

Student Address: Zoe Nefouse

WGST Commencement 2018
Adriana Portillo

Student Address: Adriana Portillo

WGST Commencement 2018
Jacqueline Tillman

Student Address: Jacqueline Tillman

WGST Commencement 2018
Katie Wallace

Student Address: Katie Wallace

Commencement Address: Dr. Celeste Montoya

WGST Commencement 2018
WGST Faculty

WGST Commencement 2018
Grad Caps: Katie Wallace

WGST Commencement 2018
Grad Caps: Shoshana Pollack & Bex Schmelzel

WGST Commencement 2018
Grad Caps: Priya Robb

WGST Commencement 2018
WGST Commencement 2018

For the Minor in
Women & Gender Studies:

Faye Green
Faye has earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in economics as well as the minor in women and gender studies. She is a member of the Triota Honor Society, a MESA Hotline Volunteer, has been on the Dean鈥檚 list, and is a Colorado native.

Tyler Pelkey
Tyler is earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in environmental studies as well as the minor in women and gender studies. She plans to pursue a master鈥檚 in public policy focused on gender violence. Tyler would like to thank everyone in the women and gender studies department, as well as her friends, family, and partner.

Shoshana Pollack
Shoshana is graduating with a degree in sociology, a minor in women and gender studies, and the certificate in LGBTQ studies. She has been awarded both the Jim Downton听Award, and the Lasting Legacy Award. After graduation, she plans to spend some quality time with her cat.

Bex Schmelzel
Bex has earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in sociology, a minor in women and gender studies, the certificate in LGBTQ studies, and they made the Dean鈥檚 list multiple semesters. Right after听驳谤补诲耻补迟颈辞苍 they are starting a job as a tour actor/director with Missoula Children鈥檚 Theatre, where they will be traveling to a different U.S. city every week to teach children the art of theater and how to continue to find their voice beyond the stage. Bex would like to thank their family for constantly supporting them in their identity and their passions. They would also like thank Shoshana Pollock and Sam Bullington for radicalizing them and activating their hunger for social change.

Taylor Strub
Taylor is graduating with a degree in international affairs and minors in business and women and gender studies. She is a member of the Delta Gamma听Fraternity, and studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After graduation, she plans to soak up some sun in San Francisco and enjoy freedom from homework but eventually continue her education. She is interested in inclusive immigration law reform and the study of gender, conflict and peace.听 She would like to thank her family for encouraging and supporting her education and the faculty that inspired her to become a more intersectional and thoughtful feminist.

Danny Ronan Sussman
Danny has completed dual degrees in both psychology and sociology, the women and gender studies minor, and the certificate in LGBTQ studies. They are the founder of the campus BYOG (Bring Your Own Gender) student group.听After graduation, his two-step plan is to co-teach feminism to beluga whales with Dean Spade, and then to ruin the sanctity of marriage.听He would like to thank the Gender and Sexuality Center, Scarlet Bowen, and Morgan Seamont for their continual support and opportunities to get involved.

Also completing the Minor in Women and Gender Studies, but not in attendance:

Krystle Michelle Aaraas

Katherine Lee Andrews

Abbigail Arneson

Riley Eizabeth Barr

McKenzie Berke

Clare Marie Daley

Zoe Elizabeth DeBrohun

Gabrielle Egger

Ashley A Garg

Gabriela Glumac

Rachel Nicole Grammes

Eliza Mary Granahan-Field

Joseph James Hearity

Carly Noelle Herrmann

Lacey Marriah Lucas

Cassandra Jane Rippy

Rosellen Mary Sell

Ana Paola Solorzano

Kaitlin Anne Starr

Aleela Taylor

Zoe Elizabeth Whitley

Taylor Yaw

WGST Commencement 2018
WGST Minors


Completing the
Undergraduate
Certificate in
Global Gender &
Sexuality Studies:

Kayla Marie Hardin-Lawson

Shelby Hardwick

Stuart Rayne Matson

Jordan Karron Romick

Nicole Marie Rosato

Allegra Torkelson Twichell


Completing the
Graduate Certificate in
Women & Gender Studies:

John Goldsmith
John has completed a master鈥檚 degree in English literature as well as the Graduate Certificate in Women and Gender Studies. He notes that the certificate has allowed him to effectively question the methodologies and theories practiced in English literature research, focusing not only on how feminist readings shape our relationships with听texts, but how we can impact communities outside of academia as well.

Ximena Keogh Serrano
Ximena has completed the Graduate Certificate in Women and Gender Studies while earning a PhD in Spanish and Latin American literature, with her dissertation 鈥淓mbodying the In-between: Queer Subjecthoods and Imagined Be-comings in Transamerican Narrative and Film鈥. Ximena notes that the WGST graduate certificate has deepened her knowledge of critical theories and feminist practices, invigorating continuous trans-disciplinary movement and reflection in her work. The dedicated mentorship and intellectual rigor of the WGST faculty have facilitated ever-dynamic modes of reading, teaching, and being in the world鈥攅lements which spill into her current writings and visions of future scholarship.

Hillary Steinberg
Hillary is on the听PhD track in sociology, and has completed her master's thesis this year: "Taking Risks and Taking Care: Identity Formation in Young Adults with Chronic Health Conditions".听 Hillary writes that the certificate program has given her an ability to recognized gendered patterns of micro-relationships, such as embodiment, and larger structural forces. It has also exposed her to feminist methodology, which has proven very helpful to her work.

Also completing the Graduate Certificate in Women and Gender Studies, but not in attendance:

Bonnie Cox

Kristin Peterson

WGST Commencement 2018
Graduate Certificate students on stage

Commencement Photo Gallery