Gwen Howard
Frankenmuth High School
Gwen Howard of Frankenmuth is currently a senior in SVSU’s sociology program. After graduation, she plans to attend a graduate program and become a professor of sociology herself.
“I chose SVSU because its class size is small – students do not need to feel like they are just a number, and have the ability to get to know the professors.”
“I became interested in sociology when I was taking my general education classes. Professor Karen Kraus opened my eyes to things and issues that I had never thought about before. Now, I love working in this field. It doesn’t feel like work to me at all.”
Gwen is the president of SVSU’s student Sociology Club, and is a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha.
“The strongest point about SVSU is its professors: they are helpful and extremely involved with students. They back you up.”
Last year, Gwen had the chance to extend a research project she worked on in her sociology of gender class, and develop it into a professional presentation, which she delivered before the Michigan Sociological Association.
The presentation, written with Erin Stanton, was titled “Gender Socialization in Children’s Media,” and analyzed 60 episodes of kids’ television programming for gender-specific messages.
“My confidence as a researcher developed from the skills I developed at SVSU, and from the mentoring relationships with faculty members.”
Gwen also serves as an orientation leader for incoming freshmen.
“Despite the size of SVSU, I feel like the world is unlimited and that I can go and do anything!”