Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Why Study Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at UNC Asheville?
As a Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies major at the University of North Carolina Asheville, you’ll earn a Bachelor of Arts degree that prepares you for diverse career paths in advocacy, social work, public policy, and education. The program challenges students to critically analyze how gender and sexuality shape our world, providing a strong foundation for graduate studies in law, sociology, or public health. You can also complement your studies with minors in related fields or take individual courses to broaden your perspective. With a curriculum rooted in a liberal arts tradition, the WGSS program at UNC Asheville equips students with the critical thinking and communication skills necessary to become agents of social change.
Courses and Curriculum
An interdisciplinary program, the sexuality, women, and gender studies major offers core courses in WGSS and related electives from a variety of other areas of study, including anthropology, political science, psychology, sociology, history, literature, and more. Classes investigate the role of culture, social institutions, and policy on perspectives of women, gender, and sexuality in psychological, biological, social, political, literary, and humanistic terms.
Career Outcomes
Career Outcomes
The versatile education students receive as women, sexuality, and gender studies majors prepares them for a wide range of professional opportunities and enriches their lives in countless ways. Many of our graduates find rewarding careers in social advocacy and activism, whether working for a nonprofit organization, government agency, or grassroots movement. In addition, many of our alumni choose careers in education, media and communications, management, policy and advocacy, or health and wellness.
I hope to get my masters in either counseling or social work. I plan on working with women and the LGBTQIA+ community. This degree will provide a great stepping stone for my career.
Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Faculty
Enriched by a dedicated faculty with diverse academic backgrounds, students benefit from instruction from educators passionate about fostering academic excellence and promoting social change. Our women, gender, and sexuality studies program faculty members bring a wealth of expertise, research, and real-world experience to the classroom, ensuring that students receive a well-rounded education that extends beyond the theoretical.
Amanda Wray, Ph.D.
Director of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies
Office: 213 Karpen Hall
Phone: 251-6412
Email: awray1@unca.edu
Office Hours:
Monday 10:30 am – 11:00 am
Wednesday 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Thursday and Friday office hours are online by appointment.
Kelly Biers, Ph.D.
Department Chair and Associate Professor of French
Office: 233 Whitesides Hall
Phone: 232-2440
Email: kbiers@unca.edu
Office Hours
Thursday 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Or by appointment
Blu Buchanan, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Sociology
Office: Zageir 218
Email: bbuchan5@unca.edu
Office Hours
By appointment only
Grace Campbell, M.L.A., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Political Science
Office: 220 Zagier Hall
Phone: (828) 251-6312
Email: gcampbel@unca.edu
Susan Clark, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Business
Office: 128 Delany Hall
Phone: 216-5011
Email: smuntean@unca.edu
Office Hours
- Thursday 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Renuka Gusain, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Interdisciplinary; International Studies and Humanities; HUM 214 Coordinator; CTL Faculty Fellow 2025-27
Office: 216 Zeis Hall
Phone: 250-3952
Email: rgusain@unca.edu
Office Hours:
Monday 8:30 am – 9:30 am
Wednesday 9:30 am – 10:45 am
Or by appointment
Rachel M. Hanson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Office: 224 Karpen Hall
Phone: 251-6597
Email: rhanson@unca.edu
Laura K. Jones, Ph.D., M.S.
Associate Professor of Health & Wellness and Athletics Mental Health Coordinator
Office: 457 Sherrill Center
Phone: 251-6123
Email: ljones3@unca.edu
Sarah Judson, Ph.D.
Chair and Professor of History
Office: 203 Whitesides Hall
Email: sjudson@unca.edu
Office Hours:
Mondays 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Wednesdays 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
By appointment
Sonia Kapur, Ph.D.
Interim Chair of Interdisciplinary, International Studies; Sara and Joseph Breman Professor
Office: 207 Zeis Hall
Phone: 250-3943
Email: skapur@unca.edu
Doria Killian
Assistant Professor of German
Office: 231 Whitesides Hall
Phone: 251-6274
Email: dkillian@unca.edu
Office Hours
Monday 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
Or by appointment
Lise Kloeppel
Chair & Associate Professor of Drama; Coordinator of K-12 Theatre Arts Licensure, LA 478 Coordinator, Coordinator of K-12 Visual Arts Licensure
Office: 112 Whitesides Hall
Phone: 251-6940
Email: lkloeppe@unca.edu
Melissa Mahoney, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Economics
Office: 157 Karpen Hall
Phone: 251-6672
Email: mmahoney@unca.edu
Caitlin Meagher, Ph.D.
Lecturer in Anthropology
Office: Zageir 219
Phone: (828) 250-3868
Email: cmeagher@unca.edu
Sophie Mills, Ph.D.
Professor of Ancient Mediterranean Studies
Office: 122 Whitesides Hall
Email: smills@unca.edu
Office Hours:
Monday – 9:00 am – 9:30 am
Tuesday – 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Wednesday – 9:00 am – 9:30 am
Friday – 9:00 am – 9:30 am
Or by appointment.
Tracey Rizzo, Ph.D.
Professor of History & Interim Dean of Humanities
Office: 204 Whitesides Hall
Phone: 251-6315
Email: trizzo@unca.edu
Currently on Family Leave
Anne Slatton, M.F.A.
Assistant Professor
Office Hours:
Monday 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Wednesday 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
And after class by appointment. In-person
Megan R. Underhill, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Office: 206 Zageir Hall
Phone: 6976
Email: munderhi@unca.edu
Office Hours
By appointment only (email to schedule)
Katherine C. Zubko, Ph.D.
Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, Director of Religious Studies, Professor of Religious Studies and Anthropology
Office: 139 Zageir Hall
Phone: 350-4560
Email: kzubko@unca.edu
Related Programs
Ready for What's Next?
Our Bachelor of Arts in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies is an interdisciplinary exploration of the complex and interconnected aspects of gender, sexuality, and identity. With a diverse range of courses, dedicated faculty, and vibrant co-curricular activities, you gain a deep understanding of these vital issues and their impact on society.