Jody Lisberger at Cal Poly
During her two-quarter residence with Cal Poly’s Women’s & Gender Studies (WGS) Department, Jody Lisberger inspired students to think of personal concerns and social issues in new and provocative ways.
Lisberger, the 2013-14 Susan Currier Visiting Professor for Teaching Excellence, spent fall and winter quarters teaching and expanding Cal Poly’s understanding of issues concerning perceptions of gender and women.
An associate professor and director of the Gender and Women’s Studies Program at the University of Rhode Island, Lisberger was a natural fit at Cal Poly and in the greater San Luis Obispo community. In addition to teaching courses in women’s and gender studies, Lisberger also became involved with the student club Triota, Cal Poly’s Feminist Activism Community and WGS Honors Society. She also supported other clubs and organizations across campus and in the community through guest lectures, presentations and workshops.
“Dr. Lisberger has had a tremendous impact on the WGS Department, Triota, and on my personal academic career,” said Nikki Lanshaw, WGS minor and treasurer of Triota. “For example, she suggested more ways for Triota to run feminist campaigns on campus that can engage as many people as possible.
“She also kept reminding us how much influence we have on campus as students. It was awesome to meet someone, who within five minutes of knowing you, reminded you of the power you have as a student and as a person.”
In her final public presentation on Feb. 12, Lisberger challenged institutions of higher education to embrace their role as leaders of change in addressing sex and gender inequities.
The presentation, “Teaching to Disrupt Gender: Challenging the Myth of Disposable Women,” examined ideas of gender, in both contemporary and historical contexts, and how institutions of higher education can be catalysts for change. Lisberger discussed how society still tends to dismiss women and their contributions, which impacts areas such as pay, career, opportunity, and the status of women — and men — more generally.
“Altogether, what stands out about Dr. Lisberger are her commitments to creating and nurturing relationships and to exploring big, bold, visionary, revolutionary questions, ideas and proposals,” said Jane Lehr, WGS interim department chair.
“She is a model for all of us seeking to be better teacher-scholar-activists at this university.”
The Susan Currier Visiting Professorship for Teaching Excellence is a residential teaching professorship that recognizes educators who, like Lisberger, exemplify outstanding teaching in the liberal arts and emphasize the intersection between gender/women’s issues and global/justice humanitarian concerns.
The award honors and sustains the commitment to education of the late Susan Currier, who served as associate dean for the College of Liberal Arts and as a professor of English. The professorship is made possible through contributions made by the Currier family, including her husband, Max Wills, and private donors and friends.