Graduate Student Profile: Hilary Vandenbark
Whether as a PhD student in the Global Gender and Sexuality Studies department, a graduate assistant at the UB Institute for Research and Education on Women and Gender (the Gender Institute, or GI), or the founder of the Gender Matters podcast, Hilary Vandenbark has made an indelible mark on the University at Buffalo's scholarly community.
Hilary spoke highly of the department's range of course offerings. "GGSS has not only shaped me as a scholar, but as a feminist and as a person. The department exemplifies both intellectual rigor and passion for social justice. The breadth of courses allowed me to explore new topics and find my passion for transformative approaches to sexual violence," she said.
As Hilary describes, being a part of the GI not only offered her the opportunity to organize events such as Isabel Marcus' retirement celebration and start the Gender Matters podcast, but also positively influenced her work on her dissertation. Additionally, the GI Dissertation Writing Workshop as well as the College of Arts and Sciences PhD Dissertation Fellowship have offered Hilary valuable time and support dedicated to her writing. "The ... Fellowship has also enabled me to make more progress. With the added support from the College, I have had more time to focus on self-care and writing," she said.
In 2019, Hilary had the opportunity to channel her interests in advocacy and public policy into her professional work as a Women and Public Policy Fellow in Albany. This work helped prepared Hilary to take on an exciting new role: As of October 2021, she will be a member of the Sexual Assault Prevention, Program, and Policy Unit at the NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence in Albany.
Speaking of the influence of the department on her journey at UB and beyond, Hilary credits Professor Gwynn Thomas, the department chair, with helping her reach this next step in her career. "I want to take the time to thank Dr. Gwynn Thomas for everything she has done for me personally and for the department as a whole. [...] I owe my success to her," she attested.