Welcome from the Director

I am delighted to welcome you to Women and Gender Studies in the School of Social Transformation at ASU. Our pages will help you learn more about our talented faculty, engaging students and interesting array of courses and events.

Our program is one of the largest, most vibrant women and gender studies programs in the country, teaching more than 3,000 students each year on topics, including gender, health, sexuality, science and technology, work, globalization, ecology, social policy, violence prevention, media, film, performance and the arts. Our students participate in leadership activities and explore career interests through internships in the community. The faculty in women and gender studies value cultural diversity and global engagement, and we work hard to ensure that our program reflects these core values.

We believe knowledge about women and gender leads to action, and the proof is in the leadership that our alumni provide to the region and the nation. Our graduates have found successful careers in law, education, business, government and in the nonprofit sector serving the needs of their communities.

We conceive of the classroom as a knowledge-building community where students can engage with real-life issues. Such communities help students to develop tools for life-long learning. Our goal is to create an interactive learning environment that values diversity and multiple perspectives.

It’s easy to combine our curriculum with other majors, minors and fields of study. Visit or contact our undergraduate academic success specialist, Amanda Smith, for further information.

Mary Margaret Fonow

Director, School of Social Transformation
Professor of Women and Gender Studies