What is the Social Policy & Advocacy minor? This minor provides the skills necessary to care for people in a way that nourishes relationships and positively impacts the lives of others! The Social Policy & Advocacy minor at Goshen College is a way for you to get involved in areas like social science research, public health, social institutions, the private sector, health care, criminal justice, education, or labor.
No one wants to live in a world of injustice, but it takes a particular person to learn the practical skills necessary to do something about it. As a social policy and advocacy minor, you could work as a social policy advocate, human development worker, or administrator of government organizations.
Our curriculum equips students with the knowledge and methods to nurture connections and have a positive influence on others’ lives! In our social policy minor, you will learn about welfare and public policy, and how to advocate for change. You will also have opportunities to serve others through internships and public service-learning projects.
Social policy and advocacy minors at Goshen College are given a broad range of communication and service techniques to care for people in a way that both nourishes relationships and makes a positive impact on the lives of others. You will be equipped with the skills to work as a public policy advocate, child welfare worker, or community development activist in policy research.
This program is designed to develop abilities in:
Additionally, you will study conflict resolution topics, learning how to mediate disagreements and negotiate conflict effectively. These skills will allow you to make a difference in a wide array of industries, including healthcare, public administration, criminal justice, education, sociology, labor, government, nonprofit, humanitarian relief, and more.
If you are passionate about social justice and want to learn how to change social policies and advocate for those who need it most, this program is for you! Our program’s flexibility allows you to craft an education and career path focused on social justice, social sciences, and advocacy in your major field of study.
So if you want to change the world, Goshen College is the place to start! With research, policy analysis, and program evaluation skills, you will be prepared to make a difference in any field.
A unique and historical original copy of the U.S. Constitution, printed in 1787, was sold for a record-breaking $9 million at Brunk Auctions on Oct. 18, 2024. The company that facilitated the groundbreaking sale was started by a Goshen College alumnus, Robert Brunk ’63.
John P. R. Eicher ‘05, associate professor of European History at Pennsylvania State University–Altoona and 2023-24 National Endowment for the Humanities Fellow, has launched a YouTube lecture series titled "Western Civilization (1500-Present): From Dawn, to Decadence, to Disillusionment."
Jan Bender Shetler ’78, the director of global education and former professor of history at Goshen College, is set to retire this year, concluding a career dedicated to historical research, community involvement and cultural preservation.
Jeanne Liechty discovered social work as a major and profession while serving a year of voluntary service in San Antonio, Texas. Today she is a professor of social work and department chair.
Jeanne's storyLizzy Diaz '13 came to Goshen College to become a nurse, but changed her major to sociology to study the complexities of human societies. While a student, she was an athlete and traveled to Egypt for SST.
Lizzy's storyRon Kraybill graduated from GC in 1976. Today, he is a peace and development adviser for the United Nations. He has been negotiating peaceful elections in Lesotho since 2009.
Ron's storyStefan Baumgartner, a music and sociology double major from Goshen, believes in social justice. Before graduating in 2015, he found that GC also shares his drive for open conversation.
Stefan's storyWith more than 25 years of experience in conflict prevention, transformation and peacebuilding, Philip Thomas ’87 has dedicated his life to helping facilitate peace and reconciliation.
Philip's storyJason has a Ph.D. in Latin American history and environmental history from the University of North Carolina, where he studied the social and environmental history of the Pantanal.
Jason's storyJerrell Richer
Professor of Economics
Carl Kreider Chair
Kendra Yoder
Co-Director -- Global Engagement Office -- SST (Study Service Term) Professor of Sociology
Women's & Gender Studies
Brianne Brenneman
Assistant Professor of Public Health
