Women’s Institute
A space for women to combine academic rigor and human stories for the flourishing of women in communities globally
What’s New
We are looking for a new Director for the Women’s Institute! If you or anyone you know is interested, please visit wciu.edu/careers
IVPress’ new release! Moms at the Well: Meeting God through the Mothers of Scripture: a 7-week Bible Study Experience https://www.ivpress.com/moms-at-the-well
News & Updates
Announcing a Transition at the Women’s Institute
I have bittersweet news to share. I will be leaving WCIU to begin a new ministry this fall with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, as a campus minister serving faculty in the Maryland/DC area. I will miss WCIU and especially my work with the members of the Women’s Institute Steering Committee, all of whom are amazing leaders. But I know that the ministry remains in the hands of God and a strong and able Steering Committee with Prof. Lois Semenye as our WI Associate. Please pray as the search begins for a new director. If you have someone you would like to recommend, do not hesitate to contact Prof. Semenye.
With heartfelt gratitude for all your support in seeing women soar!
Dr. Grace May
Activities
Dr. Grace May Reconnects with Dr. Lois Semenye in Kenya
Dr. Lois Semenye is the Director of Spiritual Formation at Amani ya Juu, a ministry to refugee women who have fled to Kenya from different parts of the continent.
Faith and Leadership Journeys of Inspiring Global Women
An interview series presented by the Women’s Institute.
Study Opportunities
WCIU offers Global Women's Empowerment courses as an area of focus in our M.A. in Development Studies.
GWE 510: WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT
This course introduces women leaders who have contributed to the holistic transformation of the world. Using a biographical historical approach, students will survey women leaders from the first century through the present. They will consider the impact of marriage and singleness and analyze case studies focusing on the interplay of culture, politics, and religion on gender equity. Finally, they will critique the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development and potential effects on the next generation of girls. The course culminates with students presenting final projects in areas of interest.
GWE 610: Women & Men in Leadership
This course seeks to establish a biblical and theological basis for women and men leading and using their gifts to enhance societal development, including their religious community. Students will participate in close textual analysis, which is helpful in communities that derive principles and practices of faith from sacred texts. Special consideration will be given to the impact of women and men’s partnership in advancing God’s reign.
GWE 620: Spirituality of Women In Transformational Leadership
A close-knit global cohort of women, under a faculty mentor as spiritual director, will examine our human spiritual needs in connection to the Holy Spirit and Triune God, building habits, including rest, silence and retreats, that nurture our souls. At a masters level this engages conversation between multicultural identities, spiritual practices and faith traditions, sharing in how to develop self-care, so as to thrive long-term in transformative leadership of family, community and nations.
Interested in taking any of these courses?
About Us
MISSION
To equip women to be agents of transformation in their communities and in society
By fostering and disseminating scholarly research and best practices that focus on the intersectionality of women, leadership, and faith
By helping to alleviate the barriers and injustices women leaders of faith face in reaching their God-given potential
By developing partnerships that provide access to resources and training needed for women to flourish and contribute in all spheres of life
By advancing God’s reign through collaborative efforts with marginalized women throughout the world
Steering Committee
Board of Reference
