The fellowship through the National Women's Studies Association aims to increase the number and influence of women of color among students, staff and faculty in the field of women's studies.
Keshia Wall, assistant professor of dance and coordinator of Elon鈥檚 African and African-American Studies program, was recently named a National Women鈥檚 Studies Association Women of Color Leadership Project Fellow.
The fellowship includes membership to the National Women鈥檚 Studies Association and connection to professional development opportunities through the association鈥檚 conferences and committees. The association awards the fellowship to 40 people each year.
The Women of Color Leadership Project is designed to increase the number of women of color among students, staff and faculty within the field of women鈥檚 studies and to raise their participation and influence in the field. The project is sponsored by the association鈥檚 Women of Color Caucus, Program Administration and Development Committee and the Women鈥檚 Centers Committee.
The project has trained more than 400 women from North America, Asia and Europe since it was founded more than 20 years ago. Former participants have gone on to serve in leadership roles in the National Women鈥檚 Studies Association, including president, vice-president and chairs of caucuses.
As a fellow, Wall attended the Women of Color Leadership Pre-Conference and the NWSA Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, Oct. 26-29.
鈥淚 had the privilege of being immersed in the company of exceptional women of color, each of whom holds leadership roles within their respective higher education institutions. The experience has undeniably enriched me, equipping me with a wealth of valuable resources and a renewed sense of motivation, all of which I have brought back to Elon,鈥 Wall said.