Abbie Jenks, MSW
Professor, Human Services and Peace Studies and Social Justice
East 132
413/775-1127, jenks@gcc.mass.edu

Professor Jenks came to GCC in 1998 with a wealth of experience in the field of mental health and social work. First hired as Program Coordinator of the Human Service Program, Professsor Jenks revamped the Human Services curriculum and has taught all of the required courses in the program, as well as several courses in psychology. Social justice has always been a theme in her work and after the onset of the Iraq War, she created a Liberal Arts Option in Peace and Social Justice Studies. Offered in this Option are the Introduction to Peace Studies, Conflict Resolution and Mediation, Psychology of Peace, Conflict and Violence and Peacemaking in Practice: Seminar in Nonviolence and Social Action. She is advisor to the Human Service Club that annually hosts the Clothesline Project and is co-advisor to the new Peace and Social Justice Club. In addition, she has been a member of the GCC Response Initiative, formed after the events of 9/11 and works in collaboration with other staff and faculty to bring speakers, films and other events to the campus. She is a grassroots peace activist and brings this experience and connection with the community to her work at GCC.