Rate My Professor Gavin Weiser

S. Gavin Weiser is an associate professor in the Department of Educational Administration and Foundations in the College of Education at Illinois State University. Weiser coordinates the College Student Personnel Administration master’s program, serves as core faculty in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, and holds affiliated faculty status in Latin American and Latino/a Studies. Effective July 1, 2024, Weiser was appointed interim director of the Graduate School. Weiser earned a Ph.D. in foundations of education and inquiry, an M.Ed. in higher education and student affairs, and a graduate certificate in women’s and gender studies from the University of South Carolina College of Education. They also hold a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary humanities, with an emphasis in English and African American studies, from Florida State University.

Prior to joining Illinois State University in 2018, Weiser served as a university administrator in the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs at the University of South Carolina, delivering competency trainings and workshops on serving LGBTQ and other marginalized communities. Earlier professional experience includes working as an outdoor educator for Princeton University, leading youth in backpacking and adventure activities, and serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA with the Youth Conservation Corps in Waukegan, Illinois, assisting at-risk students in earning GEDs. Weiser’s research interests include critical university studies, queer theory, administrative leadership during crises, equity in online education, and advocacy for LGBTQIA2S+ youth thriving. Key publications include “Administrative leadership in times of a global health crisis: Voices and images from the field” with L. DeMartino (Frontiers in Education, 2021; 42 citations), “Double jeopardy: (Trans)versing higher ed as queer trans advocates” with T.L. Wagner and M. Lawter (Journal of Curriculum and Pedagogy, 2018; 22 citations), “Striving for equity in pandemic times: The administrator’s role in the shift to online education” with L. DeMartino (2021; 14 citations), and “Like a Pig in Mud: Rejecting the Manicured Boundaries of the Patriarchy” with L. DeMartino and A. Stasicky (Journal of School Leadership, 2023; 4 citations). Weiser was selected as one of 22 national Campus Compact Engaged Scholars for 2021-2022. Contributions include service on the Culturally Responsive Campus Community Conference committee, the Office of the Provost’s professional development task force, and the Multicultural Center Taskforce.