Correction appended
Jessica Jennrich, director of advising, curriculum and programming for the University of Missouri's women's and gender studies department, will replace Samantha Ivery as the director of the College's Center for Women and Gender in August. Jennrich said she was drawn to Dartmouth because of the emphasis the College places on connecting academics and research with activism at the Center.
Assistant CWG Director Stephanie Chestnut, who interviewed Jennrich for the position, said Jennrich stood out among the candidates due to her "great energy" and student-centered approach.
"She had a really great pulse for student issues," Chestnut said. "I think she's going to be really looking to what the students want."
Jennrich, whose research centers on gender issues, said she decided to apply for the position because of the close relationship between CWG and the women's and gender studies department.
Jennrich said that upon arriving at the College, she will focus on familiarizing herself with Dartmouth history and culture.
"I really need to introduce myself and get to know Dartmouth," she said.
Certain aspects of campus culture, such as the "legacy of male dominance" and the prominence of the Greek system, are unique to the College and important to understanding gender dynamics on campus, according to Chestnut.
Jennrich said her first priority at Dartmouth, in addition to learning about the College, will be to expand CWG programming, provide increased support to undergraduate research and increase collaboration with Greek and other student organizations. She said she hopes to increase interest in the Center and reach out to more students by talking with people who may be critical or skeptical of various programs or initiatives.
"One of the great things about women's and gender studies is that we have the power to be really self-reflective," she said. "We have the power to look back on what we've done in the past, what's worked, what hasn't."
Jennrich, who was an English major at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, said she was initially planning to continue studying English in graduate school and "become a traditional academic" but realized that her favorite courses during her undergraduate years were women's and gender studies classes. She then decided to "dramatically change [her] future" and go to graduate school for women's and gender studies.
Jennrich said her interest in gender issues grew as she became aware of the inequality around her but felt powerless to address those inequalities or "give a name" to what she saw. While in the classroom, Jennrich "felt like someone was giving [her] the tools to transform the world that [she] had seen as being unequal," she said.
Monte Reed '12, an office assistant and intern at CWG who also served on the search committee, said Jennrich stood out to the committee because of her excitement about the job, her interest in strengthening the relationship between the women's and gender studies department and CWG and her ability to "mesh with Dartmouth," especially with the Office of Pluralism and Leadership staff.
"All the candidates look great on paper," he said. "It was the off-paper thing that set [Jennrich] apart for us."
Reed said he liked that Jennrich did not plan to make drastic changes immediately before learning about the school's history. He added that talking with Jennrich felt like "talking with a peer."
The search process for the new director began in December and phone interviews took place in January and February, according to Chestnut. Candidates were then brought to campus in May.
While visiting Dartmouth, Jennrich gave a presentation on May 11 in which she spoke about her involvement with a successful campaign to protect gender identity under the University of Missouri's nondiscrimination policy and about the importance of including both "academia and activism" in women's and gender centers and programs, The Dartmouth previously reported.
Samantha Ivery, assistant dean of student life and advisor to black students, serves as the acting director of the Center for Women and Gender. Ivery, who announced her resignation in February, will leave the College this month, The Dartmouth previously reported.
"I don't know how she did it but she did it," Reed said. "Samantha Ivery revolutionized that Center and really did a great job. I loved working with her."
