Actors perform "The Vagina Monologues" at the Agate Auditorium on Valentine's Day. The play is one of the main events that the Women's Center produces.by Anna Tsuji
"Women in Transition Group" creates a diverse community on the campus
Amanda Garlick has been not only learning but also creating diversity on the University of Oregon campus through working at the Women's Center at the University.
She helps provide support and resources for students who identify themselves as nontraditional.
"I really love [my job]," Garlick said. "It's really great to learn how to be a good worker, activist, and see my vision through."
The Women's Center at the University of Oregon is an open space for every woman, and it works to promote equality and diversity in the community as well as provide support for women.
Garlick, who is a nontraditional student advocate coordinator at the Women's Center, helps provide resources for student parents, returning students, students who are 25 years or older, transfer students, and anybody who identify herself as nontraditional.
She also hosts a nontraditional student discussion group, a "Women in Transition Group" that meets every Wednesday, where women can come together, talk about their experiences and hang out with other women who have similar backgrounds.
"Women who come to the discussion group have really enjoyed having a place to meet other people with similar lifestyles," she said.
Melissa Collier says her job requires understanding people with different cultures and backgrounds.
Garlick also thinks of herself as a nontraditional student. She came to Eugene from North Carolina two years ago, after she took a year off to work in Portland before she started school in Eugene.
"In my year off, I spent a lot of time working with student parents, and I saw the struggles they had to go through, working and having children and going to school," Garlick said. "That's how I got interested."
"I want to help people, help people feel comfortable in the university, and help people make connections," Garlick said.
Melissa Collier, office assistant at the Women's Center, said that the center is a place open to every woman, where women can get the help or support they need.
"I think the role of the Women's Center should be a place where it's comfortable, so women can come in, chill out or they can talk to people they need. We can give them help to handle their problems," said Collier, who helps support the Women's Center coordinators and the people who visit the center.
"My job is great," Collier said. "I can feel like we're doing something to make a difference."