A group of Brookdale Community College students from the WILL Academic Program earned Second Place honors at the 22nd Annual New Jersey Women’s and Gender Studies Consortium (NJWGSC) Undergraduate Colloquium, held at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), showcasing powerful research and activism on a statewide stage.
The student panel, titled “Building Feminist/Transnational Futures,” brought together scholarship and advocacy, exploring global and local movements for equity, civil rights, and collective action. Their work examined themes ranging from cultural resistance to the role of joy and community in activism, highlighting the urgency of protecting autonomy and advancing social change.
Guided by Professor Roseanne Alvarez, who served as moderator, the panel emphasized engagement and dialogue. Rather than structuring the session around predetermined questions, Alvarez encouraged interaction from faculty and students across the state, creating a dynamic exchange of ideas rooted in lived experience and academic inquiry.
“What linked the various presentations on that panel was the focus on activism,” Alvarez shared, noting discussions that spanned anti-apartheid movements, pan-Africanist perspectives, and the concept of “collective joy” as a form of practice and resistance. “Our students’ work argued—both individually and collectively—for why we will not accept the erosion of our civil rights and autonomy.”
For student presenter Marisol Gonzalez, the experience was both deeply personal and transformative.
“During a semester-long research, really digging deep into the social issues that feel close to your heart, you start to feel a sense of anger… Then, while you’re collaborating with other like-minded people, you become hopeful,” Gonzalez said. “Being in a room full of strong, fierce individuals who have the audacity to take up space and share their research—you feel not only seen but heard. My experience at the NJWGSC was nothing short of empowering.”
The WILL students’ recognition reflects not only the strength of their research, but also their commitment to turning knowledge into action. Their work demonstrates how academic inquiry can serve as a catalyst for advocacy, collaboration, and meaningful societal impact.
By earning second place among peers from institutions across New Jersey, Brookdale’s WILL program continues to elevate student voices and foster the next generation of changemakers—students who are not only learning about the world around them, but actively working to shape its future.