I want to welcome all SWIG members,
supporters, and future members to the fall semester. In this introductory post
I want to explain the mission of SWIG and discuss why it is beneficial
organization for all graduate students whether or not you identify as a
feminist. SWIG is a student organization created a couple of years ago by past
graduate students to promote the participation and empowerment of women in the
field of Geography. Beyond gender, SWIG recognizes that issues related to race,
sexuality, ethnicity, and other forms of social difference may create obstacles
for some graduate students. As an organization we are committed to supporting all graduate students with the overall
goal of promoting the success of women and diversity in geography.
In the past SWIG has supported
graduate students by organizing panel discussions on relevant topics, workshops
related to career development, and through travel grants and scholarships.
We’ve also organized and sponsored educational and community service events,
including hosting colloquia, mentoring undergraduate geography students, and
organizing geography awareness week presentations to promote geography in local
schools. This year we’re looking forward to expanding our activities to include
some new ideas for career development workshops, roundtable discussions, and
sponsored film nights. As an organization we are devoted to incorporating the
perspectives of all geography students and we encourage anyone with ideas for
activities, brown bag topics, and community service events to attend our
meeting and share them with us.
A recent
study published earlier this year illustrates the continued need for
organizations like SWIG that promote and support the presence of
underrepresented groups in geography (Adams, Solis, and McKendry 2014). An
extensive study comparing the number of women and minority students in
geography departments across the country to the number of women and minority
students in higher education as a whole provides reason for concern. In fact,
“with few exceptions, reported enrollment of minority and female students in
geography lags behind both national averages and averages for the departments’
home campus (Adams et al. 2014, 189).” The representation of women in geography
lagged particularly behind the national average of 47.2%, with women accounting
for 36.8% of undergraduates, and 43.5% of graduates. Furthermore these are not just issues
impacting other geography departments. There are 18 tenured professors in SDSU geography
but currently only four are women. Departmental organizations like SWIG can
play an important role in addressing the lack of parity in higher education by helping
foster a supportive environment that is open to diversity. I encourage everyone
to get involved and come to our meeting next Friday September 26th
on the green outside of the Professional and Fine Arts Building to learn more.
We look forward to hearing your ideas!
Adams, J., Solis, P., and McKendry, J. (2014). The Landscape
of Diversity in U.S. Higher Education Geography. The Professional Geographer, 66(2): 183-194.
