Erin McGladrey comes to work every day at eight a.m. with a smile on her face. Since 2008, McGladrey has overseen, organized and rallied behind students’ activities at the Women’s Center.
With extensive experience working for multiple institutions and nonprofit organizations, McGladrey’s been a gender and equality resource for students.
Although she serves as a leader, McGladrey said students decide how to operate the organization.
“It’s not about pushing a vision on them,” McGladrey said. “It’s about supporting whatever the students want.”
Eight generations of students have come and gone through the Women’s Center with McGladrey, but many of them still keep in touch with their director.
“I’ve got many wedding invitations […] The other day I got an email from a former student that she just had a baby. Many of them want to know how the Women’s Center looks now,” McGladrey said. “I think they missed the environment here.”
Soon, McGladrey will say goodbye to the student organization. Her last day is Feb. 29. She envisions continuing work with gender issues with other organizations that are more accessible to the community.
“I have been here under five university presidents and each president wants to go a different direction,” McGladrey said. “Now I feel like UO has become a private school, which makes it not accessible for [everyone]. At this point, I don’t have a lot to offer.”
Associate Dean of Students Sheryl Eyster said McGladrey has a lot to offer students and administrators.
A search committee of five formed to look for a new director. The committee includes members from Dean of Students, ASUO Executive, Women’s Center, Sexual Wellness Advocacy Team and Sexual Violence Prevention and Education. Two candidates came to the University of Oregon on Jan. 11 and Jan. 15 to meet with students on campus.
The committee is looking for a leader who understands the importance of gender issues, identifies as a feminist and acts as a bridge between students and the administration, Suzanne Barrientos, women’s center public relations and search committee member said.
In addition to a new director, the Women’s Center will move back into the EMU in May, Eyster said.
“This is an opportunity for the Women’s Center to grow more and create more collaborative partnerships with other student unions,” Eyster said. “Moving back to the heart of campus will get them a home base to meet the greater need of women on campus.”
For the Women’s Center, having a new director in the busiest time of the year is exciting, Barrientos said.
“Although it will be a transition, it’s also going to be an opportunity for student staff to pull through as a team,” Barrientos said.
After almost a decade working as the director, McGladrey said students are the ones who make the Women’s Center a special place.
“I’m excited for the new director to work with the amazing students here,” McGladrey said. “We have students from different backgrounds and with different beliefs come together to have such interesting conversations and expand perspectives on campus.”