Kim Borden-Penney
Dear Students,
I hope you have had an enjoyable and restorative summer. As we prepare for the upcoming academic year, I am delighted to introduce myself as the new Coordinator of the Women's and Gender Studies Program at Acadia University.
It is an honour to serve in this role, and I look forward to getting to know each of you over the coming months. Whether you are beginning your journey in Women's and Gender Studies or preparing for graduation, I want you to know that our program is committed to supporting your academic success, intellectual growth, and personal development.
Since joining Acadia University as an Associate Professor in 2023, I have had the privilege of teaching a variety of courses, including Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies, Gender and Race: Workplace Politics, Black Women in Politics, Queer Studies, Contemporary Feminist Issues, and Women of the African Diaspora. These experiences have reinforced my appreciation for the thoughtful, engaged, and socially conscious students who make our program such a vibrant academic community.
My teaching and research examine the intersections of gender, race, sexuality, power, and social justice, with particular interests in African Nova Scotian feminist perspectives, Black Canadian studies, intersectionality, workplace equity, and institutional change. Before joining Acadia, I worked in executive leadership, public policy, and organizational consulting in Canada and the United States, including serving as Manager of Policy and Research with the Federal Anti-Racism Secretariat at the Department of Canadian Heritage. These experiences continue to shape my approach to teaching by connecting theory with real-world policy, leadership, advocacy, and community change.
As Coordinator, my priorities are to:
- foster an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually challenging learning environment;
- support student success through advising, mentorship, and career development;
- strengthen opportunities for experiential learning, research, and community engagement;
- continue building a curriculum that reflects diverse feminist perspectives and contemporary social issues; and
- ensure that every student feels welcomed, valued, and supported within our program.
Women's and Gender Studies is more than an academic discipline. It encourages us to ask difficult questions, challenge inequities, think critically about the world around us, and imagine more just and equitable futures. The knowledge and skills you develop in this program—critical thinking, research, communication, collaboration, and leadership—will prepare you to make meaningful contributions in a wide range of careers and communities.
I also want you to know that my door is always open. Whether you would like to discuss course selection, graduate school, research opportunities, career pathways, or simply introduce yourself, I encourage you to reach out. One of the greatest strengths of our program is the sense of community we build together, and I hope to continue fostering that spirit throughout the year.
Throughout the coming months, I will be working with faculty, students, and our broader community to continue strengthening the Women's and Gender Studies program. I welcome your ideas, feedback, and suggestions about how we can continue to make the program an engaging, supportive, and inspiring place to learn.
I am excited for the year ahead and look forward to meeting each of you. I wish you every success this academic year and hope you will stop by to say hello.
Warm regards,
Dr. Kim Borden-Penney
Coordinator, Women's and Gender Studies Program
Associate Professor
Faculty of Arts – Office BAC 335
Acadia University