Alex Woods is the new coordinator of the Women’s Center and LGBTQ+ Services, and she began her role over the summer. As a recent graduate from the University of Delaware (UD), the time she spent in and out of the classroom during their college years shaped her as a person and led them to Ramapo.
Woods double majored in criminal justice and women and gender studies with a focus on domestic violence prevention at UD. There, they found a new sense of freedom and inspiration.
“I knew I wasn’t straight at a very early age, and it was something I had to keep hidden for a long time. It wasn’t until I got to college that I was able to find that space of inclusivity and feeling of solidarity. I never wanted to let that go,” Woods said. “Involving myself in higher ed programs, I found a love for higher education.”
Their extracurricular activities included being one of the first members of the Social Justice Peer Educators program. Woods helped facilitate workshops and dialogues on topics ranging from antisemitism to anti-hazing. Audiences included their fellow students, campus organizations and faculty.
Woods also participated in on- and off-campus protests associated with the #MeToo movement and combatting UD’s “hush-hush” culture regarding sexual assault. Her passion drove them to join Generation Action, a college-level advocacy group affiliated with Planned Parenthood.
“I think a lot of my qualifications come from my experience. I’ve experienced a lot of things that cannot be taught in the classroom,” Woods said. Volunteering as an escort for an abortion clinic and volunteering for the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence taught them how they could use their privilege to protect and uplift others.
“Putting my body on the line for social justice was a no-brainer… It led me to be where I am today, and I’m definitely grateful for my experiences.”
Woods first heard about Ramapo through the praises of their alumni friends. When they learned of a job opening, they did research online and felt a connection to the mission statement of the Women’s Center and LGBTQ+ Services.
“The interview process was amazing,” Woods recounted. “I got to meet a lot of folks that I read about prior, and I got to talk to them and I got to share ideas with them. Leaving that interview I thought, ‘I really want to work here. This is where I want to be.’ And a day later they called me back and said I got the job.”
Woods praised “the great work that has already been done” and expressed a desire to expand on it by partnering with other college organizations like the Office of Violence Prevention, the Civic & Community Engagement Center and Health Services.
“I am really big on collaborating… I firmly believe that all of the issues we tackle are interconnected, and it is important that we work together to create more lasting change on this campus,” they said. Woods referenced the overwhelming turnout for “Clued-in: Trans Sex Education” as a sign the strategy was successful.
When asked what she wanted students to know about them, Woods replied, “I am here for them. My door is always open. I am here to talk, I am here to give advice, I am here to listen.”
Woods extended that invitation to everyone, regardless of their gender identity or sexuality. “I want to meet the people on this campus, and I want them to come to our center because this center is not just for women and not just for members of the LGBTQ community. It is for everyone. It is an inclusive space, and we want everyone to feel welcome there.”
dbongiov@ramapo.edu
Photo submitted by Alex Woods.
