The UF College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ Beyond120 initiative aims to enrich undergraduate experience and growth beyond the 120 credit hours required for graduation. It does so by helping students engage in experiential learning, such as internships, mentored research, study abroad, and professional development opportunities. Our Center has long engaged in such activities because feminist praxis—putting feminist theory into action—is core to our mission and pedagogy. One way we do this is through our Women’s Studies internship and Health Disparities practicum courses.
This fall, we have 12 students enrolled in WST 4940, interning at sites as varied as Peaceful Paths Domestic Violence Agency, the Child Advocacy Center, and the State Attorney’s Office Crimes Against Women and Children unit. We recently added a new site, Days for Girls, which aims to empower women and girls through sustainable menstrual care and health education. We also restarted a partnership with the Civic Media Center. Additionally, 55 students minoring in Health Disparities in Society are enrolled in WST 4941C practicum, working to increase provision of culturally competent and equitable services at organizations such as the Gainesville Fire Rescue Community Paramedicine Program, the Center for Independent Living, and the Pediatric Pulmonary Center of the College of Medicine.
While the primary work in the internship and practicum classes consists of time spent engaging with the work of the site, students also participate in learning activities, such as reflection and discussion, which help integrate their classroom and experiential learning. Students often find that their internship experiences are transformative, putting them on a path of translating their academic learning into personal growth, feminist action, and feminist careers
We are thrilled to share that the women’s studies internship program will benefit from a generous bequest from Dr. Sheila Dickison. Dr. Dickison, a long-time friend and affiliate of the Center, recently retired from her role as Director of Academic Programs at UF’s Bob Graham Center for Public Service. As Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS, 1989- 1995), Dr. Dickison was a strong advocate for the Center and its origin; in the late seventies, she served as a member of a task force that indicated how important it was for CLAS to launch this new direction of teaching and scholarship. Dr. Dickison continues to be an enthusiastic supporter of cultivating internship opportunities for students. Her pledged gift will help ensure the sustainability of the women’s studies internship for students long into the future. We are deeply grateful for Dr. Dickison’s longstanding support and generosity.