This year we celebrated several students who earned their graduate degrees. Ray Buckner, Peyton Del Toro, Char Harrison, Jena Robertson and Allison Susor earned their master’s degrees, while Kristen Kolenz, Marie Lerma, and Erin Tobin earned their doctoral degrees.
PhD candidate Tatsiana Shchurko received the 2020-2021 Presidential Fellowship for her research on internationalist feminist solidarities. In particular, she studies how transnational solidarities may play a fundamental role in establishing cross-cultural connections and a sense of agency within conditions of restraint. Awarded to a maximum of 15 nominated doctoral candidates each year who show outstanding scholarship, the fellowship is the most prestigious award given to students by The Ohio State University Graduate School and provides financial support for student research.
Mahaliah Little, PhD candidate in WGSS, received the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Dissertation Fellowship. The AAUW organization awards this fellowship to full-time students completing their dissertations, conducting postdoctoral research or preparing research for publication. Mahaliah’s research focuses on the politics of pleasure in Black feminist theory, the nexus of trauma and sexuality in Black women’s lives, and popular culture.
Women of Color Graduate Retreat
During the 2019-2020 year, PhD candidate Deja Beamon and new PhD alum Marie Lerma hosted a Women of Color retreat for graduate members in the department.
“Marie and I noticed a distinct disjuncture between students of color in the department,” Deja writes. “Often, newer cohorts are facing the same struggles older ones have faced. Due to the graduate school timeline, we all become isolated from one another, and there lacked an infrastructure to support continued mentorship. Through the retreat, we hoped to establish a yearly gathering that would help students feel less alone, build their network, and have a safe space to debrief. We were thankful that our colleagues took us up on our idea and created a wonderful retreat experience."
Comments following the retreat:
- “It is incredible to have experienced scholars in my support network who understand my experiences and position in the university and department.”
- “It was good to have a space to share concerns and develop strategies to improve professional development.”
- “This retreat was a much-needed space for support and strategies of sustained community. It was nice to be heard but to also turn that into collaborative planning moving forward.”
- “The PoC retreat filled an important space in my grad school experience. It is a great space to cultivate support and strengthen each other.”
- “This retreat was sorely needed for both my mental health and professional development.”