WGSS Alumni Spotlight: Castella Copeland-Smith

About Castella Copeland-Smith (she/they)

Education

  • Graduation Year: 2017
  • Major: Political Science, Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Human Rights
  • Minor: Urban Studies

Community Involvement

  • Women's Center Worker
  • Windsor Human Relations Commission
  • The National BLACK Cooperative
  • United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA)

Post Graduation

  • Master's at UConn Neag School of Education, Educational Psychology CILT
  • Doctorate degree at Liberty University for Educational Leadership
  • Current position: Assistant Director of First Year Experience Program, UConn

Castella Copeland-Smith

Testimonial

"I started off in PreK-12 education shortly after earning my bachelor's degrees. My first career path allowed me to apply skills I learned from WGSS in a way that meaningfully impacted student growth and educational success. WGSS taught me to see the whole person, to listen and understand where students are coming from with empathy. As a teacher, I was able to take these communication skills and mentor students to understanding their sense of identity over time. Guiding students towards empowerment and resilience gave them the tools to find that they have strength to accomplish their goals. WGSS was the next step in my academic and personal identity journey the continued growth across a multitude of platforms. Thanks to my WGSS major, I felt welcomed and was able to lean on my peers, mentors, and find community. Without the skills that I developed through internships, research projects, and presentations with WGSS, I would not be who I am today. I can truly attribute much of my success to the applicable growth from this WGSS program. To this day I still use the skills I have learned as I wrap up my doctoral degree and enter new leadership roles."