Gender Institute for Teaching and Advocacy

The Gender Institute for Teaching and Advocacy (GITA) is a unique office on the Auraria campus, in that GITA offers both academics (one major and two minors) and direct services to students. GITA provides academic and holistic support for students targeted by sexism and other intersecting oppressions at MSU Denver.

The academic program within GITA identifies and critically examines systems of power utilizing intersectional and transnational frameworks that allow for self-reflection and active engagement in social change. It prepares students for professional and graduate education, as well as employment in many different fields, such as victim advocacy, women’s health, LGBTQ services, prevention education, public policy, family services, counseling and therapy and media. Students may elect to major in Gender, Women, and Sexualities Studies (GWS), or minor in Gender Studies or Sexualities Studies. Several GWS courses are offered for General Studies course credit, Guaranteed State Transfer or in fulfillment of the Multicultural graduation requirement.

Academic Programs

Commitment to Gender Equity and Social Inclusion

The services arm of GITA empowers students, staff, faculty, and community members by providing access to information and resources to meet the needs of a diverse campus body. These services include resource information for students in need, a community scholarship database, a snack stop, advising and problem-solving for individuals, a feminist library, and a private, cozy, lactation space. Through our collaborations across campus, we offer programming that encourages engagement in critical dialogue and advocacy for social justice. As a whole, GITA is committed to building an inclusive environment that makes students feel at home, affirms their identities, and provides them with the tools for success.

Scholarship and Mini-Grant Awards

GITA sponsors a number of scholarships, among them the Pamela McIntyre-Marcum Scholarship, the Meredith Wetzel Memorial Scholarship, the Activist Scholarship, the Gender, Women and Sexualities Studies Scholarship, the Nueva Esperanza Scholarship, and the Lauren McCall Endowed Scholarship. GITA offers $500-$1,000 mini-grants to students who are finishing up their first bachelor’s degree with financial need as determined by Pell-eligibility, lifetime loans, and eligibility to receive federal aid due to their immigration status. Travel and research grants are also available to students. More information can be found here: https://www.msudenver.edu/gita/findscholarshipsandgrants/.