A bright-eyed student visited Eastern Michigan University's campus in 1997, hoping to find information about attending graduate school and furthering her learning journey. She walked into a small space which she assumed was a storage closet, and before she could turn around, was greeted by Rachel Brett Harley, the first undergraduate adviser in the Women’s Studies department.
The potential student, not wanting to be a bother, let Harley know that she was just hoping to pick up a brochure in her quest for information about receiving a Master’s degree. Harley sat the student down and immediately got her signed up for a Master’s program in Women’s Studies, where the student found out that Harley heard of her before through a friend.
That student grew to become the first African-American administrative director of the Women’s Resource Center, and a current associate professor of the Women's and Gender Studies Department at EMU, Dyann Logwood.
As a Ypsilanti native, Logwood became familiar with Eastern through her Upward Bound tutors and mentors who were students at the University.
Logwood attended the University of Michigan as an undergrad and received two Bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies and Communication and Media Studies in 1997. Though her bachelor’s degree reflects her current field of study, Logwood admits that she did not enter college intending to focus on either of her ultimate majors.
“I was focused on finding a career where I could make a lot of money,” Logwood said. “So I decided business and finance were my best options,”
Logwood found herself more interested in her general education classes than her business and finance classes, she said.
“I started to think, well, maybe I’m not a business and finance person,” Logwood said.
Her interests seemed to align with classes that focused on activism and community building, which she was familiar with from high school.
“I always believed that when you go to college, you need to try new things and become a different person,” Logwood said. “I soon realized that who I am is enough, and my college education would help me live more authentically.”
After a conversation with friends who’d taken women’s studies courses, Logwood decided that it was time for a change of pace.
“I needed to follow my heart,” Logwood said.
Logwood changed her major, became active on campus as a member of student organizations catered to Black activism, and became a co-founder of the magazine Hear Us Emerging Sisters, or HUES, which grew into a national, multicultural women’s magazine.
Logwood’s love of teaching became fully realized when she took a course at the University of Michigan centered around educating students.
Logwood received hands-on training in a college classroom, constructive criticism, and an overall feel for the teaching profession through this course, she said.
Logwood recalled her time on campus being full of student life, with a large active student population who lived on campus.
She enjoyed experiencing her grad school classes with a variety of students from different backgrounds, beliefs, identities, and life experiences.
One of Logwood’s mentors was the late Emeritus Professor of Communication, Media, and Theatre Arts and building namesake, Judy Sturgis Hill.
Logwood recalls Hill attending events on campus frequently, along with being a faculty-in-residence who lived in the First Year residence hall to support students in their transition to college life.
Other stand-out faculty members that Logwood recalls are Sally McCracken and Robert Perry.
“I am so appreciative of all of the faculty and staff who took time out with me as a student because they didn’t have to,” said Logwood.
Logwood hopes that her students see her the same way that she and other students saw them, she said.
“[I hope that they see that] I try to get to know them, and support them in whatever they do,” said Logwood.
Logwood came to EMU with the hope of becoming a graduate assistant who teaches students while also being mentored during that process.
“Coming to Eastern provided me with the opportunity to have mentors who were willing to guide me through through the teaching process,” Logwood said. “Individuals that I could watch and learn from,”
Teaching with someone as a graduate assistant gave her a new perspective, Logwood said.
“I really grew to appreciate what it is to create your own curriculum and have your own teaching philosophy,” Logwood said.
Logwood appreciates how faculty in Women’s and Gender Studies have their own areas of expertise that influence the way they teach, with hers being activism, human rights, and mentoring.
Logwood has been the coordinator of the Annual Women of Color Feminisms and Leadership Symposium since 2017.
This year, community and campus leaders will be highlighted and will discuss issues around how to remain engaged and motivated while still focusing on their wellbeing, she said.
The symposium will take place in the Student Center Ballroom A, March 11 from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and include a panel discussion, activity about coalition building, and networking opportunities in a safe environment, according to Logwood.
Logwood is also the host of many mentoring initiatives across campus, including mentoring initiatives for undergraduate students, faculty, and local middle school students.
Logwood hopes to leave behind a legacy of mentoring and “paying it forward” at EMU.
“I want to be remembered for creating opportunities for faculty and staff to mentor and support all of our students and one other,” said Logwood.
She also would like to be remembered for finding resources for those in need and creating safe spaces for all individuals, said Logwood.
As someone who has lectured at many different places, including Wayne State University and Washtenaw Community College, Logwood has not only gotten to know students with different backgrounds and experiences, but she has enjoyed shaping her curriculum around meeting their needs, she said.
“Incorporating discussion of resources that address student’s basic needs, well-being, and career goals into the course helps students feel less alone and more like members of a caring community,” said Logwood.
“When you’re on an academic journey, it is an individual journey, but it is so much nicer when you have support,” said Logwood.
Logwood’s proudest moments at EMU come from her students’ achievements, including job successes, academic successes, making positive changes in society, and more.
“It’s the individual accomplishments and the accomplishments that mean they are making the world better,” said Logwood.
Logwood is a firm believer in the importance of representation, she said.
“If you encounter individuals who come from a community similar to yours, it makes it easier to imagine yourself being successful,” said Logwood.
Representation is important on all levels, not just in the classroom, said Logwood.
“Representation can come in the form of administrators within the K-12 field or the after-school professional staff,” said Logwood.
Logwood recalls a time when a student approached her to let her know that she looked to Logwood as a model of how to carry herself as a Black woman in a professional space.
“She’d never had a black teacher before, and did not have any family members in college,” said Logwood.
This moment showed Logwood the importance of representation, whether intentional or unintentional.
“I’d never thought someone could be watching me to see what they should do in their career, profession, or a job interview,” said Logwood.
One of the reasons Logwood teaches is to encourage students to see themselves as successful, she said.
“Even if one person makes you feel that you can push a little bit harder or stay in the fight a little bit longer, to me, that’s everything,” said Logwood.
