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The Center for Women’s and Gender Studies is a unique interdisciplinary program that offers courses, degrees and organized events each year. The focus of the program is on understanding women’s experiences from a variety of perspectives as well as the role that gender plays in shaping society.  Started by a handful of faculty and students in 1979, CWGS now has over two hundred faculty affiliates from fourteen different schools and colleges who contribute to our programs.  Among them are several award-winning teachers and nationally recognized scholars. Our faculty teach many bright and gifted students, who go on to become political leaders, legal advocates, socially oriented writers, teachers, and artists, as well as scientists and engineers dedicated to addressing the problems faced by women, men, and families.

The central mission of CWGS is to further knowledge and understanding of the role of gender and the experience of women in our society. Every year the Center for Women's and Gender Studies brings together scholars and researchers trained in different methodologies and disciplinary traditions around a common theme.

For the 2009-10 academic year, the annual theme will be Performing Gender.


Current News


CWGS on Facebook: Become a Fan!
The Center for Women's and Gender Studies will publish news, event reminders, and status updates through our Facebook Fan Page. Be sure to add us in order to receive all of our latest information on your homepage newsfeeds.

Become a fan on Facebook. Offsite Link

WGS and Information School Dual MA Degree Officially Approved
The graduate dean and provost have approved the proposal for a dual degree for an MA in Women's and Gender Studies and an MS in Information Studies!

It will be available starting Fall 2007 and should be listed in the 2007-2009 version of the Graduate Catalog in both print and online versions.

Dual MA requirements Offsite Link

Dual Degree program with WGS and LBJ School of Public Affairs is approved !
Master of Arts/Master of Public Affairs

This degree program is offered by the Center for Women's and Gender Studies (WGS) and the LBJ School (LBJ) at the University of Texas at Austin. The Dual Degree Program responds to an increased need in the public, nonprofit and private sectors for specialists who have advanced training in policy analysis and leadership and management skills, as well a comprehensive understanding of women's and gender issues. Applicants for the Dual Degree Program must meet the general admission criteria of the Graduate School and the admission criteria for both the LBJ School and the Center for Women's and Gender Studies.

Read More Offsite Link

People Spotlight


Jeanne Goka
Principal of the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders is the first recipient of The Richards Scholars Endowment Fund for Leadership Texas 2009

Empowering Women. Supporting Educators. Changing Texas.

What is the Richards Scholars Endowment Fund? Women's Resources continues to pursue its vision of providing valuable education and travel/study opportunities to Texas women leaders who seek to improve their leadership skills and expand their knowledge of the diverse issues, dynamics and cultures that impact the State of Texas through the Leadership Texas program. In keeping with our vision and purpose, the Richards Scholarship Endowment Fund was established to fund scholarships for educators from public and private schools and community colleges to participate in Leadership Texas.

Who are Richards Scholarship Recipients? In 2009, Women's Resources selected Jeanne Goka as the first recipient of the Richards Scholarship and as a participant in the Leadership Texas Class of 2009. As a Richards Scholar, Goka, the first principal of the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders in Austin, has been awarded a full scholarship covering her tuition as well as her lodging expenses in each city during the program year. Goka's 30-year career as an educator began at Cullen Junior High, an urban school in the Houston Independent School District. Prior to joining the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, Goka was the director of Austin ISD's Kealing Middle School Magnet Program for Advanced Academics. During her tenure, the middle school program added a sixth grade and doubled the number of magnet applicants. Her students scored the highest in the district in all of the subtests of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) tests in 2006.

In 2007, the Center for Women's and Gender Studies (CWGS) entered into a three- year school partnership agreement with the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders. Under the partnership agreement, CWGS provides mentoring and professional development support to the faculty and staff at the school, as well as enrichment programs for the students. CWGS faculty also conduct research at the school to assess the effectiveness of CWGS's programs.