MaryKathyrine-Tran

Assistant Director, Ohio University Women’s Center
UWO ’14 Women’s and Gender Studies, English major; Music minor, LGBTQ Studies certificate
UWO ’19 MS in Educational Leadership and Policy; certificates in Social Justice Leadership & Post-Secondary, Technical, and Adult Education


What do you do during a typical day at work?
While there really is no typical day at our Women’s Center, we are proud to host a number of events and programs for students, staff, and faculty at Ohio University as well as the surrounding Athens community. A majority of my day is working with the Women’s Center Director and student staff workers to prep and plan for these events and programs. In addition, I run two programs: the Young Women Leaders Program (a collaboration between Athens Middle School and the OHIO Women’s Center) which is a mentoring program as well as a women of color leadership cohort called ALAANA+ Women’s Leadership Cohort. A significant amount of my time is alloted to these two leadership opportunities as well as supporting our large scale events (International Women’s Art Installation, Take Back the Night, etc.). My favorite part of my job is supporting both our student workers, practicum students, and patrons of the Women’s Center.

Why did you choose UWO?
I chose UWO for both my undergrad and graduate school experience because I made such great connections with faculty and staff who I could tell genuinely care about their students’ success and not only academic journeys but also personal, professional, and leadership development. In addition, I had countless amazing opportunities for out-of-the-classroom learning (such as internships, campus organizations, study abroad, etc) that prepared me for life after graduation.

How has Women’s and Gender Studies influenced your career path?
My background in WaGS helped me develop the skill set to think critically about the world around me. As an interdisciplinary field, you really are given the opportunity to learn a little bit of everything with the WaGS lens which bolsters your development as you move into your professional life. With a WaGS background, you are able to apply the theories and concepts you learned to make your work more equitable and the world a little bit of a better place; WaGS helps folks learn how to not only be a changemaker, but also how to support those around us simultaneously.

Do you have any advice you’d like to share with current students?
I would suggest students to take advantage of the multitude of opportunities that come their way. Internships, study abroad opportunities, independent study courses – these are all great ways to not only learn new skills, but get to really put what you’re learning in the classroom into practice.

Women's and Gender Studies

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Sage Hall, Room 3003 or 3464
835 High Ave, Oshkosh, WI 54901

Contact Information

Ula Lukszo Klein | Director
Phone: (920) 424-0892
Email: kleinu@uwosh.edu