“The GWSS faculty have helped prepare me for a career by actively opening up opportunities for me to get involved with resume-building work like research and internships.”
Ellie Hartmann, a native of Waconia, Minnesota, pursued her passion for English at Gustavus due to the comforting feeling that studying the subject gave her; she also shared that the campus gave her a sense of home during a snowy Chapel tour. With her profound love for uncovering meanings in words and exploring literature, she decided to complement her major with minors in Political Science and Gender/Women/Sexuality Studies. This interdisciplinary approach allowed her to connect classroom learning to her real-world interests and causes.
Ellie particularly enjoyed the Contemporary Literature class, as it allowed her to delve into political issues in emerging literature and explore innovative writing styles. In the GWSS department, her favorite experience was the capstone project, led by Sharon Marquart, which offered an intimate learning environment for meaningful discussions with a small group of peers.
Outside of academics, Ellie actively engaged in various activities during her time at Gustavus, including the Honor Board, Writing Center, and Gustavus Wind Symphony. More recently, she found her place in organizations such as Building Bridges, Diversity Leadership Council, the Mayday Committee, and Students for Reproductive Freedoms. These groups not only challenged her to grow personally but also provided personal and emotional support on tough days.
Beyond the classroom, the GWSS Department gave Ellie numerous opportunities, such as working with a summer research professor and eventually leading her to participate in an internship at a housing justice non-profit in Washington D.C.