“Gender and Sexuality studies is not just an academic field, it’s a way of seeing the world,” said Jade Sasser, professor of Gender & Sexuality Studies at UC Riverside. “It gives you the tools to do an intersectional analysis of how the world works, and how you can shape and impact it.” 

The Department of Gender and Sexuality Studies has over 170 students and staff dedicated to analyzing feminist theory, global cultures, and politics through a combination of academics and action. The department strives to promote diversity and education, and offers courses centered around gender and sexuality in relation to race, ethnicity and class, including lectures on gender and sexuality in history, research, and pop culture. 

“The major Gender and Sexuality Studies gives voice to students to defend groups or individuals that have been erased throughout history and who are currently being silenced due to their race, ethnicity, gender, or culture,” said Melissa Ontiveros, an education and gender and sexuality studies double major and 2019 graduate. “This major is important because it is allowing our generation to provide input on subjects that aren’t necessarily openly discussed in our society. Because of this, we have the chance to create a different future that is inclusive!” 

Specialized majors such as Sustainability Studies are also offered within the department. Sustainability studies takes a social justice approach to look at how social issues, environmental issues and economic issues affect people’s lives, and analyzes how climate change impacts different groups in different ways. 

“Students can really find an aspect of their identity here, that will help them to manage their life better in this world,” said Alicia Arrizón, Associate Dean for Gender & Sexuality Studies. “They will learn about the importance of difference: how difference helps them better understand the intersection of gender and sexuality. Although students can learn that in other classes as well, in our department, students are expected to think critically with tools they can apply to come to realistic, constructive conclusions.” 

The department also offers quarterly internship opportunities for students majoring in Gender and Sexuality Studies, Sustainability Studies or LGBTQ+ Studies. These internships generally take place within political or cultural agencies and organizations, and allow for students to apply their knowledge while continuing their education. The department also encourages students to expand their knowledge abroad by offering resources, financial aid and course credit for students interested. 

“We have a very strong faculty, and we have extremely brilliant students, and that’s a foundation for community building,” said Sherine Hafez, chair and professor of Gender & Sexuality Studies. “I feel that that’s really important in terms of looking towards the future, enabling our students to reach across all kinds of challenges in the employment market and being able to come back to us after they graduate and reconnect with them.”

Students who graduate with a gender and sexuality studies degree have a wide variety of career opportunities in politics, public policy, activism and nonprofit, as well as journalism, advertising and education. Other career options include medical professions, environmental organizations, public health fields, and research. Students that have graduated often times come back for graduate school workshops to discuss what they’re doing post grad, and present their current research and jobs to students interested in furthering their career or education. 

“Students who finish with a degree in this major are able to have a different perspective about almost anything you can think of,” Anthonia Kalu, professor of Gender & Sexuality studies. “We are able to give some training to students in a way that allows them to see the world a bit differently, and have a stronger impact on society.” 

Learn more at genderandsexualitystudies.ucr.edu

FEATURED PHOTO. Photo by Jimmy Lai/UCR Class of '19
A Highlander Newspaper article about the origins of the Department of Gender and Sexuality Studies is immortalized on the department's door.