On Feb. 22, Commonwealth University — Lock Haven held a panel for the women, gender, and sexuality studies (WGSS) minor, which consisted of four alumni who have graduated with the respected minor.
The alumni included:
- Breanna Hanley, a 2022 graduate, who now works as a reporter for The Lock Haven Express.
- Cheyenne Karichner, a 2020 graduate who works as a domestic and sexual violence educator and volunteer coordinator at Roads to Peace in Lock Haven.
- Meghan Mausteller, a 2017 graduate who currently holds a position at Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson as a membership initiatives coordinator.
- Tyler Tallmadge, a 2018 graduate, who now works as a high school English teacher in Thorndike, Maine.
Following introductions, the panel was asked, “Why did you choose the Women & Gender Studies minor?” In their responses, each alum offered a unique testament that highlighted the diverse motivations behind taking on the WGSS minor.
Some alum suggested that the choice was simple, Karichner reflected on feeling “called” to the studies, and Mausteller explained how the minor reinforced her ambition to work in a field that “centered on women, girls, and other marginalized identities.” Tallmadge spoke openly about the experience of growing up in rural Pennsylvania as a queer individual, and how it illustrated the need for safe spaces where gender-related issues could be discussed. Hanley expressed how the interdisciplinary nature of the minor made it accessible and intriguing.
The questions continued with the panel guests discussed their current professional positions and how minoring in WGSS helped them prepare their life and career after graduation.
Their reflections worked as examples that emphasized the versatility of the WGSS minor. While all four individuals highlighted how their studies helped them confidently facilitate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) into their work beyond college, each alum offered a different perspective on how they have managed to adapt said knowledge to best support the work they are doing.
When Tallmadge proposed an elective WGSS course at Mount View high school, he received immense pushback from the community and the school board.
“I took a lot of what I had learned during my time in the minor to prepare a defense for my class,” Tallmadge said. “Not only that, but the department provided me a lot of support through that time.”
Through his efforts, the class was approved and has ran successfully four times.
In her work as a DV/SA Educator & Vol. coordinator, Karichner highlighted, “WGSS really brought DEI to the forefront. WGS focused on marginalized populations, understanding diverse backgrounds, and the importance of connecting with all groups.”
Mausteller explained the unique experience of adapting the WGSS disciplines to better suit her current position.
“In my first job after college, I used my minor every single day,” Mausteller said. “In my current role, I apply my minor a little differently. As an organization with a 110 year history, there are some habits that are hard to break. It’s my job every day to make sure all of those youth know that they have a space in Girl Scouts.”
As a news reporter, Hanley explained how her capstone project had prepared her in ways that she had not anticipated.
“The ‘crash course’ in Chicago Style showed me tips and tricks for figuring out style guides, which helps me now in my job where I exclusively write in AP Style,” Hanley said.
Professors of WGSS courses supported and promoted the panel and many attended the event to show support for their former students.
When asked about the inspiration behind the event, Nicole Burkholder-Mosco, professor of English and co-director of the WGSS minor, explained pridefully:
“We know so many of our WGSS graduates are doing really great, really meaningful work after graduation. So when Dr. Holle Canatella — who spearheaded this event — pitched the idea, we embraced it wholeheartedly. Not only did we want to celebrate the successes of previous graduates, but we wanted to help current minors see the many opportunities that exist for folks in the WGSS field and to inspire them to consider possibilities for their own futures.”
March is approaching, which means the WGSS minor will hold their annual Let Her Voice Be Heard event to celebrate Women’s History Month. The spoken word event celebrates women’s voices and will present several awards including the Distinguished Work in the Advancement of Women’s Issues and the winners of the Virgina Martin Gender Issues Essay Contest.
