About the Sarah Isom Center for Women and Gender Studies

The Sarah Isom Center for Women and Gender Studies is dedicated to promoting research and scholarship about women and gender by developing a multidisciplinary program of study.

Student studying in Grove in front of Lamar Hall

The Sarah Isom Center for Women and Gender Studies

What We Do

The Sarah Isom Center for Women and Gender Studies is dedicated to promoting research and scholarship about women and gender by developing a multidisciplinary program of study. These studies include an analysis of how gender intersects with other social categories, such as race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, age, nationality, and ability. The Center coordinates the undergraduate minor in Gender Studies and the Graduate Certificate in Gender Studies.

The Center educates about issues of gender and sexuality, promotes interdisciplinary research, and engages in community building to provide access and opportunity for all students.

Who We Are

The Sarah Isom Center for Women and Gender Studies was established at the University of Mississippi in 1981 to address the changing roles and expectations of women students, faculty, and staff.

In 1885, Professor Sarah McGehee Isom became the University's first female faculty member. Named in her honor, the Isom Center continues the tradition of promoting education and opportunities for women, who today constitute more than half of the UM student population.

Dr. Joanne V. Hawks served as the founding director of the Sarah Isom Center from 1981-1998. Since that time, the Center and academic program in Gender Studies have been led by faculty members across disciplines. The current director is Dr. Jaime Harker, a professor of English.

Our Mission

The Center educates about issues of gender and sexuality, promotes interdisciplinary research, and engages in community building to provide access and opportunity for all students.

Education

The Isom Center offers several undergraduate and graduate courses in gender and sexuality. We also crosslist classes hosted by other departments.

Research

The Isom Center supports research in gender and sexuality through the Isom Fellows Program for faculty and the Isom Student Gender Conference for students.

Engagement

Throughout the academic year, the Sarah Isom Center works both on its own and with our partners to sponsor events that enrich, entertain, and enlighten our campus and community about how gender shapes our world.