WGSS Internship

The Internship Experience in the WGSS Major

The major in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) requires students to complete an internship experience, a practicum that ties back to the activist roots of the field of WGSS.

WGSS majors may fulfill the Internship requirement in one of two ways: 1) by applying for and participating in the Teaching Collective; or 2) by being placed in a local community organization with a focus on feminist activism and/or social change advocacy.

 

The Teaching Collective

The Teaching Collective: A WGSS Approach To Undergraduate Learning

Video, filmed by Associate Professor Emerita Vivien Ng, shows Teaching Collective members and WGSS majors sharing their experiences.

 

One of our most innovative courses is the foundational "Introduction to Feminisms" (AWSS 101) that is offered every spring semester. Taught by undergraduate discussion facilitators who form the Teaching Collective, students in 101 are guided through a peer-learning experience of consciousness raising and co-teaching.

The Teaching Collective is the longest running peer-teaching program at the University at Albany and in the nation, begun in 1977. To prepare for this unique experience, Teaching Collective members take 9 credits in a series of courses on Feminist Pedagogy, beginning in the fall and concurrently in the spring.

  • AWSS 310: Introduction to Feminist Pedagogy (offered in the Fall)
  • AWSS 320: Feminist Pedagogy in Theory (offered in the Spring)
  • AWSS 322Y: Feminist Pedagogy in Practice (offered in the Spring as the practicum experience for Teaching Collective members)

 

The Internship in Feminist Activism and Social Change Advocacy

The Planned Parenthood rally, organized by WGSS alumna Brittni Gulotty, Public Affairs and Volunteer Coordinator of Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, joined nationwide protests championing reproductive rights, with a huge turnout on Saturday, October 2, at the West Capitol Park in Albany, including WGSS faculty, students, and alumni.
The Planned Parenthood rally, organized by WGSS alumna Brittni Gulotty, Public Affairs and Volunteer Coordinator of Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, joined nationwide protests championing reproductive rights, with a huge turnout on Saturday, October 2, at the West Capitol Park in Albany, including WGSS faculty, students, and alumni.

The Internship in Feminist Activism and Social Change Advocacy includes two components: 

  1. Work experience in a local placement related to student’s interest in career development and social justice; and
  2. An academic seminar that meets weekly in which students apply feminist theory, praxis, and analysis to their placement experience. This requirement is fulfilled through the course AWSS 492Y (currently titled “Internship in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies”) offered every spring for juniors and seniors in the major.

 

Community Partners

Community Partners Working with our Student Interns

Albany County Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center
Contact: Karen Ziegler, [email protected]
112 State Street
Room 1100
Albany, NY 12207
Main Office: 518-447-7100
 

Alliance for Positive Health
Contact: Donna Vancavage, [email protected]
518-434-4686 Ext. 2428
[email protected]
927 Broadway
Albany, NY 12207
Main Office: 518-434-4686
 

Birthnet
Contact: [email protected]
518-482-2504
215 Partridge St, Albany, NY 12203
 

Capital Roots
Contact: Sean Wyse, Community Engagement Director, [email protected]
[email protected]
518-274-8685
594 River Street, Troy, NY 12180
 

Capital Region Action Against Breast Cancer (CRAAB!)
Contact: Kelly Primeau-Fahey
[email protected]
 

Center for Law and Justice
Contact: Lauren Manning, Executive Administrator, [email protected]
518-650-3007
220 Green St, Albany, NY 12202
 

Center for Women in Government and Civil Society
Contact: Dina Refki, D.A., Executive Director, [email protected]
518-442-3900  
135 Western Avenue, Draper Hall 302, Albany, NY 12222
 

Citizen Action of NY
Andrew Tarwerdi [email protected]
518-925-1316
94 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12206
 

Environmental Advocates
Contact:  Kristina Green, [email protected]
518-462-5526 ext. 233
353 Hamilton Street, Albany, NY 12210-1709
 

Equinox
Contact: [email protected]           
518-434-4502          
95 Central Ave., Albany, NY 12206
 

GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network), New York Capital Region Chapter
PO Box 5392, Albany, NY 12205
518-635-0552
 

Grand Street Community Arts
Contact: [email protected]
518-463-2222
Physical: 68 Grand Street, Albany, NY 12202
Mailing: 14 Wilbur St, Albany, NY 12202
 

Holding Our Own & The Women’s Building
Contact: Carmen Rau, [email protected]
518-462-2871
373 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12206
 

Homeless and Travelers' Aid Society (HATAS)
Contact: Liz Hitt, [email protected]
518-463-2124
138 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12206
 

Honest Weight Food Co-op
Contact: Amy Ellis, [email protected]
518-482-2667 X 128
100 Watervliet Ave, Albany, NY 12206
 

Initiatives for Women (IFW)
Contact: Carol Anne Germain, [email protected]
University at Albany  
1400 Washington Ave 
Albany, NY 12222
 

In Our Own Voices (IOOV)
Contact: Phillip Burse, [email protected]
518-432-4188
245 Lark Street, Albany, NY 12210
 

Katal Center for Health, Equity and Justice
Contact: Yonah Zeitz, [email protected]
518-527-6263
 

The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY
See website for internship opportunities.
55 Colvin Avenue, Albany, NY 12206
 

The Legal Project of the Capital District Women’s Bar Association
Contact: Jodi Koenig, [email protected]
518-435-1770
24 Aviation Road, Suite 101, Albany, NY  12205
 

Liberty Partnerships Rising Stars Program
Contact: Nashay Williams, [email protected]
518-442-5422
Richardson Hall 111, 135 Western Ave., Albany, NY
 

NYS Division for Human Rights
Contact: Victor DeAmelia, [email protected]
518-473-8801
Agency Building 1, 2nd Floor, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12220
 

NYSCADV: New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Contact: Gina Peattie, [email protected]
518-482-5465 X 225
119 Washington Ave, Albany New York, 12210
 

NYSCASA: New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Contact: Sam Mitchell, [email protected]
518-482-4222 ext. 314
28 Essex Street, Albany, NY 12206
 

NYS Prisoner Justice Network
Contact: Naomi Jaffe, [email protected] or [email protected]
 

Peace Action
Contact: Michelle Deocampo, [email protected]
 

Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts
Contact: Anna Hernandez, [email protected]
518-436-8408
194 Washington Avenue, Suite 620
Albany, New York 12210
 

Pride Center of the Capital Region
Contact: Andromeda Indardeo, [email protected]
518-462-6138
332 Hudson Ave, Albany, NY 12210
 

Refugee Welcome Center
Contact: Tim Doherty, [email protected]
518-603-7608
104 Ontario Street, Albany, NY, 12206
 

The Sanctuary for Independent Media
Contact: Branda Miller, [email protected]
3361 6th Avenue Troy, NY 12180
518-272-2390
 

The Social Justice Center of Albany
Contact: Naomi Jaffe, [email protected]
33 Central Ave., Albany, NY 12210
518-434-4037
 

Troy Bike Rescue
Contact: Andrew Lynn, [email protected]
518-328-4827
3280 6th Ave, Troy, NY 12180          
 

Troy Rehabilitation and Improvement Program (TRIP), Inc.
Contact: Christine Nealon, [email protected]
518-272-8289
415 River Street, 3rd Floor, Troy, NY 12180
 

UAlbany's Gender and Sexuality Resource Center
Contact: Courtney D’Allaird, [email protected]
Campus Center 332
518-442-5015
 

UAlbany's Women’s Resource Center
Contact: Kate Roos, [email protected]
 

United Tenants of Albany Inc
Contact: K. Michelle Arthur, Executive Director, [email protected]
255 Orange Street
Suite 104
Albany, NY 12210
518-436-8997
 

Unity House
Contact: Scharlette Wilkins, [email protected]
 

Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood
Contact: Zanetta Graham, [email protected] or Katherine Bruno, [email protected]
518-434-5678
855 Central Ave, Albany, NY 12206
 

The Women’s Building
Contact: Carmen Rau
See contact information under “Holding Our Own,” above.
 

YWCA of the Greater Capital Region
Contact: Bonnie Benson, [email protected]
518-274-7100
21 First St, Troy, NY 12180