By Celena Glaghassi, Assistant News Editor
Professor Standlee Headshot. (Photo Courtesy of Professor Standlee)
Professor Alecea Standlee’s path to academia began with a lifelong curiosity about the world around her. Growing up in a poor, rural community, she spent most of her childhood trying to make sense of inequality, gender roles, and social systems. Those questions ultimately shaped her academic path and led her to pursue fields like Sociology and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGS).
“I wanted to know why women were seen as less valuable than men in my community, why some people said terrible things about certain racial groups and religions and why some people went hungry even after working long hours,” said Standlee. “I was a curious child who grew up into an even more curious adult.”
Standlee explained that this curiosity eventually led her to teaching. She said she enjoys the opportunity to work alongside students who are equally interested in understanding how and why society functions the way it does.
“Today I am a professor because I love to teach, I love to learn and I always have more questions,” said Standlee.
When asked about the importance of studying Women, Gender, and Sexuality, Standlee emphasized that it is a field relevant to everyone, regardless of their major or career path. She noted that the field brings together ideas from the sciences, social sciences and humanities to better understand how people experience identity and society.
“Everyone should take a WGS class, at least once,” she asserted. “All people live in a world that tries to define them based on gender and sexuality. Understanding how and why society shapes our identities helps us better understand ourselves and the people around us.”
Standlee added that these classes help students become more empathetic, thoughtful and self-aware—qualities she hopes students carry beyond the classroom.
In terms of teaching, Standlee shared that she especially enjoys introductory courses and classes on gender inequalities. She explained that introductory courses allow students to explore new ideas, while her Gender Inequalities class often leads to meaningful conversations.
“Gender Inequalities always creates such interesting discussions, as students make sense of their own experiences and learn about other people’s,” said Standlee.
Standlee also shared a humorous moment from early in her teaching career. While delivering a lecture, she tripped over a power cord and fell onto a desk in the front row. For a second, the entire class froze.
“One student said, ‘Professor Standlee always keeps things lively,’ and everyone started laughing,” she said.
That moment taught her two important lessons: mistakes happen, and it is important not to take yourself too seriously.
When asked what it means to “Do Great Work,” Standlee offered a simple definition.
“For me, doing great work means trying each day to leave the world a little better than it was the day before,” she explained. “That might mean introducing curious minds to new ideas, learning something new myself, or offering a kind word to a student or colleague.”
She explained that change doesn’t have to be grand to be meaningful. Small actions, she said, can have a lasting impact.
“That’s doing great work,” said Standlee. “Trying to change things for the better, even if it’s only a tiny bit at a time.”
This article originally appeared on page 18 of the April 2026 edition of The Gettysburgian magazine.
