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The Ethnic and Women's Studies Department

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Leading in Today's Diverse Society

Through the GEMS (Gender, Ethnic and Multicultural Studies) degree you’ll earn in the Ethnic and Women's Studies department, you’ll acquire a comparative and expansive understanding of our diverse, global society. You’ll gain skills in social inquiry and critical thinking, along with the valuable ability to work well with people of different ethnicities, cultures, backgrounds, and gender identities. Our department at Cal Poly Pomona is a pioneer in the development of interdisciplinary Ethnic and Women’s Studies encompassing all ethnicities as well as gender identities. Other universities have separate majors or departments such as “Asian Studies,” “Latin American Studies,” or “Women’s Studies.” Our combined GEMS major truly reflects the richness and diversity of our world today.

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Top Public School in the West
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shayda Kafai graduation ceremony

Faculty Spotlight

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Shayda Kafai has been appointed as the next Faculty Director of the Office of Interdisciplinary Ethnic Studies at Cal Poly Pomona. A visionary leader and scholar, Dr. Kafai has played a pivotal role in implementing AB 1460 courses that enrich student learning, serving as GE Area F Coordinator since 2021 and Chair of the Ethnic Studies Implementation...

Land Acknowledgement

Cal Poly Pomona resides on the traditional territory and homelands of the Tongva and Tataavium people who are the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar. This land remains the shared space among the Kizh, Serrano, Cahuilla, Rumsen Ohlone and Luiseno people. A land acknowledgment is one small step, which only becomes meaningful when we work to be in good relation with the land and the people on whose traditional lands we live, study, and work.