ABSTRACT

This chapter outlines how centers, like the Grand Valley State University (GVSU) women's center, engage young women as advocates and activists, on campus and after they leave college. It deals with both student affairs and academic faculty who either have worked or are currently working in women's centers. The chapter examines how feminist activism and community engagement are applied in women's center programming, which also unpacking the pedagogical philosophies that unpin these perspectives. Created in connection with student affairs, the center's mission was to manifest social change through education, dialogue, activism, and to provide students with a safe space. The result was a program for feminist leadership development, with an emphasis on understanding and using activist tactics aimed at long-term social change. The chapter shows that women's center programming helps foster feminist consciousness and activism by making it applied, accessible, and safe.