Northern Michigan University's gender and sexuality studies program is adding a new component to its annual NMU Gender Fair. For the first time, the group is bringing in an outside speaker. Jesús Gregorio Smith, ethnic studies associate professor and chair at Lawrence University, will present “Fat, Fem and Fabulous: How Body Size, Gender and Race Influence Sexual Negotiations in an Online Dating Market” at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 28, in Jamrich 1100. The Gender Fair will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, March 29, in the Northern Center Ballrooms.
Smith joined the Lawrence faculty in 2017 as an assistant professor of ethnic studies and ACM Mellon Faculty Fellow. He studies how race and racism influence several aspects of social life including media, identity, partner preferences, education, emotions and sexual health.
A winner of the university's Excellence in Teaching Award for an Early Career Faculty Member in 2022, Smith has also won the Excellence in Higher Education Shining Star Award from the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce. In 2020, he was awarded a Woodrow Wilson National Foundation Career Enhancement Award for Junior Faculty. At Lawrence, he provided leadership in developing the ethnic studies major.
"The gender fair at NMU focuses on intersectionality and inclusion here at NMU and the Marquette community," said Moony Van Orsdel, one of the student coordinators for the event. "Intersectionality impacts everyone and everything in our society even though it is different for everyone, which is why this event is a really great way to connect and learn from each other. It also offers a great space for current students and community members to see that they are valued and loved in our communities. Our team is really excited to have Dr.Smith at the fair as our opening keynote presentation; the expertise and perspective he is offering with his monograph is going to be amazing."
The NMU Gender Fair is a student-driven annual event that began in 2017 by then-NMU undergraduate student Madeline Wiles. It is intended to foster diversity and inclusion throughout campus and the Marquette community. The event features informational tables and project/poster presentations, along with an essay contest that was introduced in 2023. For more information visit nmu.edu/gender/gender-fair.