Student and Faculty Spotlights
Fall 2021 Senior Showcase Wendy J. Wenner Senior Thesis Award
Each Fall and Winter, the IRIS Department recognizes outstanding senior projects through two awards: the Wendy J. Wenner Senior Project Award and the Stanley Krohmer Senior Project Award. The Wenner award carries the name of the founding Dean of the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies and recognizes senior projects distinguished by their academic excellence. Dr. Wenner is a lifelong advocate for social justice, interdisciplinary inquiry, equity and inclusion.
Wendy J. Wenner Senior Thesis Award - Jenna Johnson "The Gendered Differences in Diagnosing ADHD"
Some thoughts from Jenna:
"I chose this topic because I
identify as a woman with ADHD. I was diagnosed in the 8th
grade, but only ever looked at it as something to do with school. When
we were in lockdown for COVID-19, I, like many others, spent a lot of
my time scouring the internet. I found a group consisting of other
people with ADHD, and my entire world opened up. I started to learn
how ADHD affects your everyday life and began researching as much as I
could about it, learning a lot about myself along the way. I wondered
how many people were in the same position as I was prior, and wanted
to uncover why so many women are left undiagnosed and uninformed.
It feels surreal to finally finish my degree. I started my college
journey at Grand Rapids Community College, and after finishing all my
gen-eds in my first year, I wasn’t sure where to go next. I decided to
study abroad in Florence, Italy for my sophomore year; one of the best
decisions I ever made. I took a class called “Rape, Marriage, and
Legalized Crime in Italy”, which started my path towards studying
Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. When I returned home, I met with
Melanie Shell-Weiss, who convinced me to join the IRIS program at
GVSU. My college journey has been one filled with endless hurdles to
overcome, and five and half years later, I finally made it. Words
cannot express the pure bliss of knowing I made it to the end
goal.
Studying Integrative Studies was the only way I could have
ever made it through college. My brain is interest driven, which has
contributed to the challenge of graduating. To be able to study
intersectional feminism and learn how to apply critical thinking
skills to a multitude of diverse issues, is a life skill I am proud to
have. My studies have been passion based, and I feel lucky to be
equipped with the needed information to drive my activism further.
One of the classes I struggled to pass was Research Methods, the
prerequisite for my Capstone, setting back my graduation date when I
had to retake the class. To get recognition for a paper I put so much
of myself into, means the absolute world to me. I am so proud of
myself for never giving up, and creating a piece of work that
advocates for myself and a community that is often overlooked and
misunderstood. To be able to apply my studies to something that
personally affects me, and an issue that I am passionate about, was
immensely rewarding. Thank you again for presenting me with this
award, it is such an honor!"
Congratulations Jenna!!!!
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