Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies
Minor
PROGRAM SNAPSHOT
Explore identity. Challenge injustice. Make change.
Study Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies at Winona State
The world is full of questions about who we are, what’s fair, and how we treat each other.
The Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies (WGSS) minor at Winona State helps you explore these questions in a safe and welcoming space.
You’ll dive into real-world issues like:
- LGBTQIA+ rights
- racial justice
- reproductive rights
- human rights
- social justice
- community
- identity
You’ll connect what you study in class to what’s happening in the world today. Think social movements like #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter.
You’ll also work on projects that raise awareness and support others in the local community.
A WGSS minor complements almost any major. This program helps you become a better thinker, leader, and advocate.
And employers in every field value people who can speak up, solve problems, and care about others.
If you’re passionate about liberation, social justice, and advocating for yourself and your community, check out the WGSS minor.
Get a glimpse of how we put social justice in action at Winona State:
offers a mentoring program, sponsors cultural events, and encourages discussion about how we can all be more understanding of others.
is a resource for victims, survivors, and those who passionately support victims and survivors.
helps first-generation students, students who come from income-eligible families, and students with documented disabilities achieve their graduation goals.
This program is offered through the Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies Department.
What You’ll Learn as a Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies Minor
As a WGSS minor, you’ll learn how sex, gender, sexuality, race, class, ethnicity, and ability shape us and society.
You’ll also:
- explore practices like mutual aid and community care strategies.
- organize a variety of events focused on addressing contemporary social issues.
- examine current social movements from feminist and queer perspectives.
This minor pairs well with many bachelor’s degree programs at Winona State.
You’ll be trained in critical thinking, advocacy, and ethnographic research. These skills are especially valued in fields like law, health care, education, and more.
Aside from major- or minor-specific requirements, you’ll need to complete additional requirements through the General Education Program (GEP) to earn your degree from Winona State University.
Learn More about the GEP
Program Highlights
As a WGSS minor, you’ll gain hands-on experience in social justice, advocacy, and community change.
Our students help organize Take Back the Night, Transgender Day of Remembrance, and the LGBT Books to Prisoners drive.
You’ll also meet with reproductive justice policymakers. You’ll even become a trained advocate to support victims and survivors of gender-based violence.
On top of your class projects, you’ll help organize Women’s History Month events that create a platform for critical feminist scholars and activists to educate the local community.
WSU has hosted a variety of events, such as film screenings about reproductive justice and sexual assault and a trauma-informed panel on queer theater (featuring an intimacy coordinator).
Other Women’s History Month programming has included play readings, presentations, and interactive exhibits.
Many senior students in the WGSS minor present at the annual UW System Women’s & Gender Studies Consortium.
Previous research topics include feminist activism, queer youth homelessness, UndocuQueer art, and rape culture.
WGSS students have even earned research grants for this work.
Make a difference on campus and build your leadership skills by joining one of WSU’s all-university committees.
As a member of the Inclusive Excellence Committee, you can drive diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
Or help create a safe campus environment through the Sexual Violence Advisory Committee.
Want to meet like-minded students and explore women’s, gender, and sexuality studies? Get involved in campus organizations that share your passion.
Like PRISM and WSU Students for Reproductive Justice.
Or consider our other cultural and identity-based clubs.
With over 100 clubs and organizations, there’s something for everyone.
Apply what you learn in the classroom by traveling the globe. At WSU, you can earn credit that applies to your degree while exploring the world.
Study Caribbean health care, educational systems, and social services in Barbados.
Or dive into social justice and social welfare issues in Austria.
You can also check out our more than 100 other study abroad programs across 40+ countries.
Hear from Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies Alumni
Careers & Outcomes
The Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies minor can’t guarantee you a job in the field on its own. But it can complement your other studies for a well-rounded education.
for Social and Human Service Assistants
for Social Workers
for Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
Learn more about what careers are possible with this minor and where our alumni have gone after graduation:
