Kansas State University scholar to headline lecture at UHV
A prominent women’s and gender studies scholar will make a visit to the University of Houston-Victoria in March to deliver a special presentation.
Christie Launius from Kansas State University will take the stage on March 22 to deliver her presentation about Women’s and Gender Studies, “Transformative Education that Changes the World.” The event will begin at 5 p.m. in the UHV Walker Auditorium in UHV University North, 3007 N. Ben Wilson St.
Launius is an associate professor and the interim head of social transformation studies at Kansas State University. She earned her Ph.D. from the modern studies program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and holds a master’s degree in women’s studies from the University of Cincinnati.
Her research focuses on narratives of upward mobility through education and teaching in gender, women and sexuality studies. Some of Launius’ notable publications include co-authoring an introductory women’s and gender studies textbook and a guide on socially engaged classrooms.
“We are honored and thrilled to welcome a distinguished women’s and gender studies scholar to UHV,” said Kyoko Amano, dean of the UHV College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences. “The insights and expertise she will bring to the university align perfectly with our commitment to fostering inclusive and thought-provoking discussions. Her presence will enrich our academic community and will hopefully inspire and open a women's and gender studies minor program on campus for students.”
The event is part of a speaker series funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities that supports the university in developing minors in gender and women’s studies, race and ethnic studies and disability studies.
“I hope that people will become more informed about what women's and gender studies is, its history and its special contributions to the humanities,” said Nadya Pittendrigh, UHV associate professor of English. “When you look at a text or an idea through the lens of women's and gender studies, you can see things slightly differently than if you look at that same idea through a different lens. So, this field gave us fresh tools and a fresh look at everything involving power, even things like friendship and leadership, or how we might approach teaching in a more truly inclusive sense. Because these ideas have been so influential, it is important for people to come and understand what the field has given us.”
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.