The Committee for Institutional Transformation and Social Justice (formerly the GSA Initiative on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)
Established in spring 2020 and appointed by the President, the Committee for Institutional Transformation and Social Justice (formerly the Committee for the Initiative on Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion) meets to chart a future course for the GSA to assure that it transforms itself into a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive professional organization. Its graduate student members serve for three years and those beyond the doctorate serve terms of five years (renewable). The chair of the committee plays a role in implementation of the GSA's Conduct and Anti-Harassment Policy. Utilizing the diversity of its own scholarly research and teaching and experiences within the profession and the society at large, the committee works to open up communication about how differently the organization and its activities are experienced by its members, especially those who come from historically and currently underrepresented and socioeconomically underprivileged backgrounds within German Studies. The committee’s process of identifying and articulating problems within our disciplines and the professional organization is aimed at proposing concrete steps, in which all members play an important role.
Statement: Committee on the GSA Initiative on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Committee members:
- Katrin Bahr, German, Centre College (2023–2027)
- Vanessa Plumly, German, Wittenberg University (2023–2027)
- Theresa Sambruno-Spannhoff, German, Duke-UNC (2024–2026)
- Faye Stewart, German, University of North Carolina Greensboro (2025–2030)
- Petra Watzke, German, Lawrence University (2023–2027)