Dr. Jessica Schulz (she/they) is a critical feminist, qualitative researcher who received their PhD from Iowa State University in 2021. Originally from Fresno, CA, Jessica has worked in and with non-profits that assist victims and survivors of relationship and sexual violence, has worked on multiple college campuses as a victim advocate, and was previously a coordinator of gender and LGBTQ + programming. Their research focuses on multiple facets of campus interpersonal violence, critical consciousness (specifically critical action), and whiteness in academia. Dr. Schulz’s current research is focused analyzing campus websites in relation to interpersonal violence, and understanding the role of campus victim advocates from multiple perspectives. Upcoming work centers understanding the difference and implications of campus victim services organizational structures.
In addition to teaching and research, Jessica is passionate about victim services on college campuses. They have worked on and with multiple campuses to create victim services departments and collaborations with community agencies. Jessica believes in survivor-centered advocacy which can be understood as follows:
The term “Survivor-Centered Advocacy” is far from new. In fact, it is a familiar, grassroots term used among domestic violence and sexual assault victim advocates (henceforth referred to as “practitioners”) to emphasize that our work is based upon what each survivor determines that they want and need. For survivors of violence – whose experiences of violence so often undermine a sense of control over body, mind and spirit; self-determination; and ability to identify and access choices regarding multiple aspects of life – centering the survivor is not only a pragmatic approach to advocacy, it is also deeply political. (Ghanbarpour & Palotai, 2019)
Outside of work, Jessica enjoys being home with her son and three cats. Much to the chagrin of her child, Jessica enjoys reading for pleasure as much as reading for work.
Education Background
Ph.D. in Education, concentration: Higher Education. Iowa State University, 2021
Dissertation: A critical discourse analysis of intimate partner violence and sexual violence discourse at two institutions of higher education.
M.A. in Education, concentration: Higher Education, Administration, and Leadership. California State University, Fresno, 2017
Thesis: Taking Responsibility: How White Student Affairs Professionals Engage with Students on Whiteness and Privilege
B.A. in Women's Studies. California State University, Fresno, 2009
To see Dr. Schulz’s publications, please visit their Google Scholar page.
