The state of Florida has announced plans to conduct a Return on Investment (ROI) study focusing on four university degree programs, including the Women’s and Gender Studies program at the University of Florida (UF). This initiative comes amid ongoing debates regarding the significance and economic value of such liberal arts programs. In light of growing tensions surrounding academic funding and job placements, UF is prepared to provide data showcasing the program’s contributions to community engagement and academic diversity. The study is expected to take a closer look at enrollment figures, graduate employment rates, and salaries post-degree completion, aiming to evaluate whether these programs meet the state’s educational and economic objectives. As the state’s education officials emphasize a need for programs that yield strong ROI, supporters of Women’s and Gender Studies, including students and faculty, are voicing concerns about the potential ramifications of this scrutiny. ‘It’s critical for voices addressing systemic inequalities to have a place in the academic landscape,’ remarked Dr. Linda Johnson, a faculty member in the program. The results from the study are anticipated to influence future funding and support for the involved disciplines, stirring discussions on the value of liberal arts education in Florida’s public universities.
Florida’s Women’s and Gender Studies Program Under Scrutiny Amid State’s Return on Investment Study
