Sharlene Voogd Cochrane
Professional Title: Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies
Areas of Academic Focus and Expertise:
Social and Cultural History of the United Stated; Intersections of Gender, Race, and Religion
Representative List of Recent Courses Taught:
• Traditions and Cultures travel/study in Santa Fe, Martha's Vineyard and Boston
• The Courage to Teach: Sustaining Professional Practice, as an intensive summer institute.
• Support students in Individualized study through the Self-Designed Masters Degree
• Faculty/Advisor for Guyana Cohort
Education: B.A., Hastings College; M.A., New York University; Ph.D., Boston College
Representative List of Recent Publications / Exhibitions:
The Student YWCA: Intersections of Gender, Religion, and Race, 1915-1925. In The Educational Work of Women's Organizations, 1890-1960. Christine A. Woyshner and Anne M. Knupfer, eds. Palgrave MacMillan. 2008, 143-162.
Sharlene Voogd Cochrane’s current research and writing focus is social/cultural history, especially the intersections of gender, race, class and religion in women's lives. Her article, "Compelled to Speak: Women Confronting Institutional Racism, 1910-1950," addresses these dynamics as they apply to the YWCA. Dr. Cochrane teaches interdisciplinary courses, including those that support students to develop their degree plans and thesis studies. She also facilitates Courage and Renewal retreats, a program of personal and professional renewal for educators. Dr. Cochrane has been involved with cultural competency initiatives at Lesley for many years, serving as the coordinator of the Women Studies Steering Committee, the University Diversity Council, and, currently, as a co-facilitator of a university-wide faculty project, the Cultural Literacy Curriculum Initiative. She also taught over ten years, the travel/study course, “The Traditions and Cultures of the Southwest” in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She has recently completed a three-year term as Dean of Faculty, responsible for faculty development support and programs across the University.