Undergraduate Prize Winners

Max Zeman is completing their junior year studying Gender and Women’s Studies and Criminology, Law, and Justice. They aspire to work with the National Women’s Law Center and have recently applied for volunteer opportunities that would allow them to deepen their practical experience at the intersection of women, gender, and law. Their academic path reflects a strong commitment to using feminist analysis as a tool for legal change and social transformation. Through their studies, Max has come to see the study of women and gender as integral to how they engage with both simple things like coffee, as well as larger structural issues like the regulation of women’s bodies. We are excited to see the ways that Gender and Women’s Studies influences how Max approaches their career in law.

Ruqayyah Alvi graduates this month with her Bachelor’s in Criminology, Law, and Justice and minors in Computer Science, Logic, Argumentation & Writing, and Social Justice. Her academic success has been shaped by her studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering, where Ruqayyah has gained knowledge about the “gaps and discrepancies in our systems–the criminal justice system, the education system, and healthcare,” as she puts it. As an undergraduate, she also gained the transformative opportunity to intern with the Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF), where she supported women navigating challenging realities. With this prize, the GWS faculty recognize, honor and celebrate her academic successes and her brave and powerful commitment to feminist activism and reproductive justice.

Nia Cunningham graduated May 2024 with a BA in Gender and Women’s Studies and a minor in Social Justice. This curriculum combination means that Nia has organized her undergraduate studies as fully in GWS, which also houses the SJ minor, as any student to this point. In her essay for the prize committee Nia wrote that, “Gender and Women’s Studies changed her life,” because it encouraged her to “shake [stuff*] up.” In awarding her this prize, the faculty in GWS commend Nia for her work inside and outside of the classroom and her ability to be the change she envisions.

Ashna Konjeti graduated May 2024 with a BS in Nueroscience and a minor in Gender and Women’s Studies. Reflecting on her award Ashna wrote, “I am very grateful to be receiving this award, and I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to engage with the Gender and Women’s Studies curriculum and community at UIC. My exposure to GWS has transformed my perspective on the world and my role within it, foregrounding love as a transformative force in both personal and societal contexts. It has instilled a deep sense of empathy, advocacy, and social responsibility within me, and as I continue towards a career in medicine, I strive to be not just a healer of bodies, but also a supporter of justice, equality, and love.”

Ashna reflected on winning the GWS Undergraduate Award: “I am very grateful to be receiving this award, and I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to engage with the Gender and Women’s Studies curriculum and community at UIC. My exposure to GWS has transformed my perspective on the world and my role within it, foregrounding love as a transformative force in both personal and societal contexts. It has instilled a deep sense of empathy, advocacy, and social responsibility within me, and as I continue towards a career in medicine, I strive to be not just a healer of bodies, but also a supporter of justice, equality, and love.”

Susan Cisneros is a GWS major, with minors in Black Studies and Disability and Human Development. She worked with UIC’s Campus Advocacy Network (CAN) on this year’s Clothesline Project, an interactive exhibit featuring messages of resilience, healing, and hope for individuals and communities impacted by interpersonal violence and abuse. She also tutors and mentors students with the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council. Susan describes connecting with GWS as “a journey that teaches you many things such as grieving, healing, creating community and loving.”

I am extremely excited to be awarded the GWS Undergraduate Prize! Thank you so much for the recognition, I hope to continue to work hard to connect and uplift the GWS community!