Editor’s Note: This article contains reference to sexual assault and interpersonal violence.
Established in 1991, the NC State Women’s Center fosters a sense of community and provides resources for victims of interpersonal violence.
Janine Kossen, director of the Women’s Center, said their services look a little different for every student. The center aims to educate, spread awareness and facilitate personal and professional growth for students.
“Our space is focused on student success and belonging and creating a community of support for students of any gender identity,” Kossen said.
When asked about the potential impacts of DEI cuts, Kossen said the Center works to support students and promote success and retention and that isn’t changing anytime soon.
Rosalina Kowalczewski, assistant director of the Women’s Center, said hydrangeas were the basis of the Women’s Center theme this year. Large flowers that adapt and grow based on their environment, Hydrangeas famously change color based on the soil they grow in.
“We have a lot of first-year students that come in who don’t really have a space yet, or don’t have those friend groups,” Kowalczewski said. “This is a good space for community.”
The Center, located in room 5210 Talley Student Union, is a large space. There are games, stickers and a plethora of chairs. Students can be found lounging, studying or talking at all hours, and clubs and groups frequently meet there.
Kowalczewski said their space isn’t just about gender issues. The Center is open to all for any support they need.
“We make space for students to just be human, which I think in a STEM school, they tend to forget,” Kowalczewski said. “They get so focused on GPA or grades or if they feel like they can’t drop a class. So we also make space for you to understand that things happen and things change.”
A large part of the Center’s work surrounds interpersonal violence. Kylin Adams, the assistant director for interpersonal violence prevention, education and training, said their services are made to serve everyone in the student body.
“Obviously, it’s nice to have a space for people who identify as women or have been impacted by issues that typically affect women to come together in community,” Adams said. “But it is not just limited to people who identify as women.”
For responses to reports of violence, staff at the Center not only support students emotionally, but also logistically and in other areas of life. They can support students with academic accommodations, find emergency housing, provide financial support or provide someone to be an accompaniment to court.
“Their role is to meet people where they are in their healing and justice journeys,” Adams said.
On top of support, the Center also has prevention initiatives, particularly working to bring awareness to issues of interpersonal violence.
“Our work is focused on skills building and shortening knowledge gaps related to consent and healthy relationships and being able to navigate those in a healthy way,” Adams said.
The Movement Peer Educators is a student-led organization intended to expand knowledge in and around campus surrounding interpersonal violence and assault.
They host a variety of workshops to educate students about bystander intervention, healthy boundaries, supporting survivors and more. The center also has events focused around expression, which are spaces to be creative and foster healing.
Adams said students also gain leadership and educational skills by participating in the group’s activities, but are also welcome to enjoy the space they create.
“It’s meant to be a space that is trauma-informed, survivor-centered and not burdensome for people who just want to be in community with folks who are invested in the safety of NC State,” Adams said.
In addition to Women’s History Month, the Center also does programming for holidays relating to interpersonal violence such as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October and Stalking Awareness Month in January.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month is recognized in April. Upcoming programming includes Flourish horticulture therapy and Dogs Against Interpersonal Violence.
Take Back the Night is an annual event held by the Movement Peer Educators where students march and are given the opportunity to speak about experiences with interpersonal violence. It will be hosted on April 15 in Talley Student Union.
“Especially as we go into Sexual Assault Awareness Month, as more programs happen, more people start to understand maybe what they’ve experienced might fall into that category,” Kossen said. “Knowing that there is help available is another thing that I want to make sure that folks are aware of.”
