Women's studies program names new director

Jill Bystydzienski, who was director of women's studies at Iowa State for eight years, said she decided to make the move to Ohio State because its program is one of the best in the country.

She became chair of OSU's Department of Women's Studies last month. "It is one of about 10 or 11 programs that offers the Ph. D. and it's ranked in the top two or three," Bystydzienski said. "At this point, I feel very honored and fortunate that I was the department's choice."

Faculty members are equally excited about Bystydzienski's new position.

"Sally Kitch (former chair) was one of the founding members of the department," said Mary Thomas, women's studies professor. "We decided to do an external search because we really wanted someone to reinvigorate the program."

Before Iowa State, Bystydzienski taught for 18 years at Franklin College in Franklin, Ind.

She earned her B.A. and M.A. in sociology from McGill University and her Ph. D. from the State University of New York at Albany.

"She has chaired and directed programs before, so she brings a lot of experience to Ohio State," said Cathy Rakowski, another professor in women's studies. "She has also been successful in getting grants and raising development funds from off-campus donors."

Rakowski said Bystydzienski's research on women's politics is widely published.

"Her recent work has been on women in Scandinavian countries, and former communist countries, to see the role women play in the political system," Rakowski said.

The women's studies department is also planning to recruit new faculty.

"We're doing a search for a Latina Studies scholar," said Thomas. "We're excited about where her leadership will take the program, especially since we have a new Ph. D. program."

The first Ph. D. students in the women's studies program will be graduating within the next year or two. There are about 15 students working to get a Ph. D. and another 15 in the masters program, Bystydzienski said.

She said in her new role, she's "looking forward to improving the climate for women in the sciences, technology and engineering."

Dr. Wendy Smooth, assistant professor of women's studies and faculty affiliate with the Kirwan Institute, said, "we feel that we've secured not only a top rate administrator, but a top rate researcher."

We feel that she can stimulate our thinking as to where we'd like to see our department go. She's interested in making sure we remain a top level program, and she has the skills to help us make that happen."

The staff of the women's studies department is excited about their new leadership, and the expansion of their department.

"She's really hit the ground running," Rakowski said. "She has immediately taken the reins and become a leader, and very supportive, even though it's only her first quarter."

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