About Us

Faculty Co-Director

I am honored to be joining the LWGRC team as Co-Director with my colleague, Rachel Cirelli. I am an Associate Professor of Spanish in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures. Throughout my 11 years teaching at Manhattan College, I have been passionate about intersectional feminist and racial justice activism, through a variety of different advocacy initiatives on campus, both inside and outside the classroom. I regularly teach in the Critical Race and Ethnicity Studies (CRES) Program, the School of Liberal Arts Core Curriculum, and Community Engaged Learning Programs on campus. I am so excited to continue supporting students at the LWGRC. I am deeply committed to fostering diverse and inclusive communities on campus through the development of culturally-responsive and healing-centered pedagogies and practices.

My scholarship focuses on critical race and ethnicity studies, women and gender studies, and comparative literature. I research the collaboration and activist political solidarities between writers from Spain and U.S. during the 1920s and 1930s. I am working on a book manuscript on this topic, Anti-Fascist Archives: Translation, the Avant-Garde, and the Spanish Civil War, which focuses on the translation work of Langston Hughes and women writers/translators from Spain, Latin America, and the U.S. I am also working on an edited book volume, Translation and Cultural Mediation: New Critical Approaches to Women Intellectuals of Early 20th Century Iberia, which uses the lens of feminist translation studies to recover forgotten literary and cultural histories of modern Iberian women writers, translators, editors, and artists. 

Faculty Co-Director

I’m Rachel Cirelli and am honored to be in the role as Co-Director of the LWGRC.  For the last 15 years I’ve been working in the Career Services field, and my commitment and passion for women’s personal and professional development has been a thread connecting much of the work and programs I have developed over the years.  Prior to working as the Director of the Center for Career Development at Manhattan College, I worked at the Career Center at Barnard College.  Being able to work at a women’s college was inspiring, and when I started my work here at Manhattan College I knew I wanted to create a professional program for the women here.  I started the W.I.S.E. (Women Influencing Successful Enterprise) Summer Internship Program which matches exceptional leaders on campus with an internship, and supports them with housing, a stipend, and interactive professional development.  There is nothing that brings me more joy than empowering others- and the LWGRC is a wonderful space where I can do just that.

I have had the chance to work with many students and faculty who are part of the LWGRC, as well as contribute to events like, ‘Love in the Dark.’  I am continually impressed with the students who contribute to the center, as well as the ideas and activism that make it fulfill its mission.  I look forward to working with all of you!

Gender Justice Advocate

I am currently a senior at Manhattan College, studying Philosophy and English, with a minor in Women and Gender Studies. My pronouns are she/her/hers. During my freshman year at Manhattan College, I found my way to the LWGRC, where I discovered my passion for social justice and women’s empowerment. This will be my third year as a Gender Justice Advocate, and I am eager to continue the Center’s advocacy work on campus. Outside of the Center, I am a writer for Lotus Magazine and a volunteer on The Take Back the Night Planning Committee. I’ve worked as an Orientation Leader and as a Peer Mentor in the past, and for a second year, will continue in my role as a Resident Assistant for students participating in the Arches living-learning program. I hope to foster the same sense of community that Manhattan College has offered to me over the years, and look forward to introducing everyone to the LWGRC during my last year on campus!

Gender Justice Advocate

Hi Everyone! I’m an incoming sophomore at Manhattan College, majoring in International Studies with a double minor in Economics and Arabic. My pronouns are she/her/hers. I found my way to the LWGRC, my second semester of Freshman year while scrolling through Instagram, and was excited to learn that there’s a center dedicated to advocacy work pertaining to my passions. A few fun things I’ve done in most recent years include helping start a grassroots non-profit organization called Fiesta4Hope, which provides support for underdeveloped communities through the promotion of sustainability, as well as leading a forum for increasing diversity and inclusion within private high schools in Bergen County, NJ. Outside of the center, I’m a member of Operation Smile, and will serve as their Co-President for the 2021-2022 school year, and am a member of Fuerza Latina. I’m passionate about promoting positive change in my community and creating a world that spreads peace and love. I’m excited to work alongside amazing women and professors at the center and hope to see you all around campus, don’t forget to say hi!

Gender Justice Advocate

I am a senior at Manhattan College majoring in Civil Engineering with a concentration in Applied Mathematics and a minor in Environmental Engineering. My pronouns are she/her/hers. I am passionate about deconstructing societal standards and expectations to allow individuals to reach their highest potential. During my freshman and sophomore years, I worked for the Multicultural Center, and I hope to focus on intersectionality and racial justice programming at the LWGRC. Within the coming year, my goal is to assist with increasing support for women, especially for women of color pursuing career paths where there lacks sufficient representation and diversity.

Intern

Hi everyone! My name is Sydney (she/her) and I’m a senior at Manhattan College. This will be my third semester with the LWGRC and I’m thrilled to be back! I’m originally from Kennebunkport Maine and a double major in Peace Studies and Political Science. I really love being active on campus so I’m involved in a number of different clubs and organizations. I’m on the Eboard for Just Peace, a member of Love Your Melon, Scatterbomb, Manhattan Green Club, WRCMRocks, Kairos and the LOVE program. Outside of school, I’m a personal assistant to an NYC-based multi-media artist who’s work focuses on social justice and abstract political theory. I’m so happy to be a part of the LWGRC family and for the ability to advocate for all that I care about! Cheers!!

Intern

I am a Senior at Manhattan College majoring in Psychology with a minor in Women and Gender Studies and Religious Studies. My pronouns are She/Her/Hers. I am passionate about raising awareness on mental health, gender issues, women's rights, and sexual assault. I started working at the LWGRC as an intern in August 2020 and I’m excited to be working with amazing young women who want to make a positive impact on our college campus. When I’m not working at the center, I volunteer as a committee member for Manhattan College’s Take Back the Night, Her Campus, and  I am involved in Sigma Delta Tau, Manhattan's only sorority. I also co-lead a support group called #MeToo Mondays which is a peer led group for survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence that uses journaling and discussion as an outlet

Intern

I am a junior at Manhattan College majoring in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in Cultural Anthropology. My pronouns are She/Her/Hers. This is my second year interning with the LWGRC and I am passionate about implementing everything the center represents around campus. Through my involvement with the center, I hope to continue to raise awareness on mental health, gender issues, women’s rights, sexual assault, and healing. Outside of the center, I am part of the Just-Peace and soNYC club. I am thankful for the opportunity to develop genuine relationships with the students and faculty through the LWGRC, as well as be a part of creating a safe space on campus.

Intern

My name is Emilia and I am a current sophomore at Manhattan College, majoring in Psychology and double minoring in Spanish and Digital Arts & Humanities. I am from Delhi, a small town in Upstate NY, tucked in the Catskill Mountains, and my pronouns are she/her/hers. This is my first semester interning at the LWGRC and I am thrilled to be a member of the team! I am very passionate about advocating for the underprivileged and helping to promote and spread awareness surrounding mental health. I am excited to further explore what MC has to offer and help reach other students through the LWGRC. My internship with the LWGRC is going to allow me to do further research on mental health and strengthen the advocacy, awareness, and support for those struggling on campus. Hopefully, we will also network and partner with outside programs and foster new ideas to bring new opportunities to the campus. Once again, I am thrilled to be a new member of the LWGRC family and I can’t wait to get started! Here’s to a great school year!

Intern

I am currently a junior at Manhattan College, and I’m majoring in communication with a minor in film studies. My pronouns are she/her/hers. This is my first semester interning with the LWGRC, and I am so excited to work with my fellow interns and staff members of the center. A big passion of mine that I look forward to exploring more during my internship at the LWGRC is intersection of media with queer identities, and how important it is to see positive and accuarte LGBTQ+ representation within the media we consume. Outside of the center, I am the Vice President of the Manhattones a cappella group and a member of the Manhattan College Players here on campus. I am honored to have this opportunity to connect with Manhattan College’s students and to share topics that I care deeply about.

Intern

I am a sophomore at Manhattan College majoring in communications with a concentration in journalism. My pronouns are she/her/hers. I consider myself to be a bright-eyed woman with a taste for the finer things in life, the very definition of a libra. This is my first semester interning at the LWGRC and I'm so thrilled to be a part of the team! I am inquisitive with a passion for boundary-pushing journalism regarding the sociological aspect of racial biases within the nation and an interest in analyzing the ways in which marginalized people exist and move through the world. Outside of the LWGRC I write for Manhattan Colleges student-run newspaper, The Quadrangle where I tackle Jasper community issues and achievements along with social justice issues. I also write for HerCampus as I discuss my journey through religion and spirituality while I discover my divine femininity. I am grateful to be a part of the LWGRC and advocate for those deserving.

Intern

I am currently a sophomore at MC double majoring in Political Science and Communications with a concentration in journalism. My pronouns are she/her/hers. I began working at the center in February 2021 as an intern and am passionate about continuing my work there this year. I started last winter by becoming involved with the Women’s Health Project, and am in the process of developing a Eating Disorder and Nutrition Handbook for the Project. I am hoping to also contribute to the center’s work this year in regards to social justice, equity, and intersectional feminism. Outside of the center, I am currently the Asst. News Editor for MC’s newspaper, The Quadrangle, and an Asst. Editor in Chief for Lotus Magazine. I am also a member of the Women’s Swim and Dive team. The LWGRC has given me a connection to incredibly supportive and handworking women that inspire me to continue my involvement at Manhattan and work towards creating a better environment for all women at MC and beyond.

Intern

I am a junior at Manhattan College majoring in Business Analytics. My pronouns are She/Her/Hers. I joined the LWGRC in February 2021 and find the work we do here to be very fulfilling. In addition to being an LWGRC intern I am involved in various other clubs and organizations around campus. I am a member of the O’Malley School of Business Honors Program, a member of the women’s rowing team, a Women in Business Member, and a writer for Her Campus. I also sit on the board for Performing Hearts Manhattan College’s All-Female Acapella Group and am a singer in the Music Ministry. In addition to my internship at the LWGRC and extracurricular involvements, I also work for the Center for Academic Success as a Student Success Mentor. Working at the center has helped me to meet so many amazing and powerful women while also being able to advocate for things that I am passionate about.

Intern

My name is Ashley and I am a Junior at Manhattan College. I am double majoring Sociology and Political Science and minoring in Spanish. My passion is gender equity and giving voices to women and girls. This is my first semester with the LWGRC, and I look forward to meeting like-minded, passionate individuals. My work at the center will focus on empowering young women in the community to take leadership roles and embrace their femininity. Outside of the center, I am an avid reader and enjoy volunteering in my community. I am so excited to be a part of the LWGRC team!