Student stories
Zoe Nicolet - graduated in 2020 - What are some things that Social Transformation Studies student do right after graduation? After completing her major, and joined Teach for America in Kansas City at the height of the pandemic. Zoe said, "My time in the social transformation studies department gave me another lens to view the world through. A questioning eye helps me see the students, communities, and social inequities with a richer perspective to more fully enact change." Zoe was one of a select group of new teachers for Teach for America in Kansas City who have persisted and excelled over these past two years. Congrats, Zoe!
Jessica Sims-Gousse - What can I do with a Social Transformation Studies major? Many folks are surprised at how many of our alums have gone on to successful careers in the technology sector. Jessica Sims-Gousse is currently Talent Operations Manager for a Silicon Valley company. She describes how her major set her up for success: "I have a high impact and high visibility role. I have also successfully launched a variety of successful high-impact diversity initiatives at the various Silicon Valley places I've worked at. Understanding how to understand people is very important. It is the reason my programs and processes have been so successful. I am able to account for all sides." She is also too modest to mention that she was on the winning team of Season 2 of the Food Network's "Holiday Wars"!
Campbell McNorton - Social Transformation Studies major with minors in Queer Studies & Leadership Studies, and is also pursuing the Nonprofit Leadership certificate. Campbell says "I chose Social Transformation Studies because I have always had a passion for social justice, so when I heard about the major, I knew that it would be perfect for me. For the past four summers, I worked for a local nonprofit in my hometown called Feeding Eudora (FE), and I became the Director of FE for the last two years.
Bailee Tucker - Class of 2022 Minor in AMETH
"I took Intro to American Ethnic Studies in Spring 2019 with Dr. Robles and absolutely fell in love with wanting to understand and pursue justice for people of color. My minor has helped me understand the privileges I hold, and further extend empathy to others." "After graduation, I will be attending the University of Central Arkansas, earning a MS in College Student Personnel Administration! I also received a Residential Life Assistantship at UCA!"
Frank Bailey - Class of 2022 Major in AMETH
"I chose to be an AMETH major because I enjoy learning about other ethnicities and cultures. Strengthening my societal knowledge allows me to be a better global citizen and to help those around me regardless of their background." "After graduation I will be working in the College of Arts and Sciences as an Academic Program Specialist. I will be an assistant to the assistant and associate deans for student success. I will also be involved in other activities in support of students, faculty, and staff across campus. This position will allow me to continue to help those around me."
Rio Sierra - Class of 2022 Minor in GWSS
"During my time at K-State, I got to learn from some of the best professors, and I got to see and be a part of the hands on work of people advocating for change on the K-State campus for several marginalized communities. It’s hard to name just one class that was the most impactful, because I truly learned so much from each class because they were so dynamic and different, but I would have to say Dr. Rachel Levitt’s class on Social Movements and Resistance was incredibly impactful on my education. Not only did they create a great environment to connect with others in the class, but they allowed me to study Chicana movements, which is a community I identify with! Overall, it’s a great community to be apart of and I am so glad that I decided to minor in Gender, Women, Sexuality studies!"
Dadrian Butler - Class of 2022 Minor in AMETH
"I chose to minor in American Ethnic Studies because I felt it was important to understand the struggles that all minorities face in America today. I feel any career I work in the future will involve a healthy diversity of people, so being able to understand the history of different cultures is important on being able to relate to others I find myself working with in the future." "After graduating, I will be attending Washburn University as part of their Master of Social Work program. My course work in American Ethnic Studies has set me up with a unique skillset to understand some of the cultural pressures that people may carry with them in life. So in the future I plan to help them with any problems that may arise and help them to develop useful strategies to maintain great mental health."
Katie Hudson - Class of 2022 Queer Studies Minor
"I added my queer studies minor after taking GWSS 105 with Dr. Rensing. The classes I have taken for my QS minor have highly impacted the ways that I engage in educational and advocacy conversations (as the president of SAGA) to ensure that I am advising the best decisions to be made for the whole of the queer community at K-State, not just the most privileged few". "The cool thing about the GWSS/QS minor is that you can customize it almost anyway that you want, so you can take classes that directly fit with your future goals. If GWSS or QS interests you in any way, I would highly recommend adding the minor and working with the amazing faculty to choose the classes that would fit best with your interests."
Mackenzie Giefer - Class of 2022 Minor in AMETH
"I decided to receive a minor in American Ethnics Studies actually because of Dr. Robles. I took Intro to AMETH my second semester my freshman year, not knowing what to expect, but he made me fall in love with the course. I wanted to learn more about different cultures and their history, and everything communities of color have gone through. Immediately after my freshman year, I began working towards my minor. After I graduate, I plan to either pursue a job in domestic violence prevention or go deeper into my major by attending graduate school here at Kansas State University. Thank you Dr. Robles for inspiring me to pursue this minor and thank you to every AMETH professor I took classes with."