Kendra Yoder

Co- Director of the Goshen College Global Engagement Office

The 2024-25 academic year began with several exciting changes in my responsibilities, including my new administrative role as Co-Director of the Global Engagement Office with Dr. Jerrell Ross Richer. After leading three SST (Study Service Term) semesters in Senegal, a summer six week SST experience in Hopi/Navajo, and two May Terms partnering with Mennonite Disaster Service, I felt ready to step into leadership for this flagship program. My commitment to Global Engagement also includes teaching countless campus courses in global education and serving as Assistant Director to Dr. Jan Bender Shetler before she retired at the end of the 2023-24 academic year. I am honored to work with the gifted and passionate faculty and administrators that support this important program in our Goshen College core curriculum and am eager to see how we will continue to support our intercultural programs to meet the needs of our current GC population while maintaining the high quality standards of our unique community engaged, immersive undergraduate student experiences.

Chair of the Religion, Justice & Society (RJS) Department

In the other half of my job, I chair the Religion, Justice and Society (RJS) Department and continue to teach Sociology and Women’s and Gender Studies (WGS) courses, along with the first year experience course, Identity, Culture and Community (ICC).

Prevention Intervention Network (PIN), Faculty Advisor

Established in 2014, the Prevention Intervention Network (PIN) is celebrating ten years of bringing quality peer led bystander education to all first year students at Goshen College. After securing a Department of Justice campus grant in 2022 and expanding our work to include a focus on stalking, dating and domestic violence, Goshen College launched a new curriculum in first year experience classes in September of 2024. Written and produced by Emily Hahn and myself with the support of the campus grant and the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Office (RSVP), we are proud to boast a three hour Goshen College tailored workshop and curriculum that embeds best practices in the prevention education field for all of our first year students. Along with our continued efforts to expand our resourcing on campus, the grant has offered us resourcing to establish a robust Coordinated Community Response Team (CCRT) with campus and community partners, as well as ongoing education and training for all faculty, staff and students in both violence prevention and response. It has been an incredible decade of working intensely with this program as a founder and educator for this impressive program as we support and mentor undergraduate student leaders on our campus.

CORE 100 Identity, Culture & Community

How do people with diverse identities live together in a vibrant community? Students will acquire perspectives and skills to prepare them to thrive in their intercultural experience whether in the college community, the local community or the global community. Students will explore the construction of identity, the components of culture, and the elements of community. This class also facilitates the transition to college and introduces some of the skills necessary for successful study in the liberal arts context. Taken in the fall semester of the first year.

SOC 210 Sociology of the Family
A study of the role of family in society and culture. Includes a comparative history of the family institution as well as an examination of social trends affecting mate selection, marriage, family roles and family relationships in contemporary society and culture.

SOC 205/ WGS 200: Introduction to Gender Studies

Introduction to major areas of feminist thought (historical and contemporary) that shaped the field of Women’s Studies. Course objectives focus on increasing students’ understandings of the social systemic factors (i.e., sociological factors) that influence women’s lived experience. Readings, small group discussions, and service learning/activism projects enable students to apply feminist theory concerning women and gender in an interdisciplinary context. This course serves as an introductory survey course for the women and gender Studies minor and a topical exploration for sociology.

Soc 200: Principles of Sociology

An introduction to the principles and methods used in the study of human society. Includes a survey of topics in social problems, social inequalities, social identity, human ecology and social change.

SOC 216 Youth in Society 
This course will examine how public perceptions and constructions of youth have evolved over time by asking (and answering) the following questions. How are contemporary youth more or less similar than preceding generations? Where does “youth culture” come
from and how has it changed? How do social structure and the wider culture shape youth and social constructions of youth? Students will study the lives of youth from an interdisciplinary and social scientific framework that encompasses an in-depth look at the interconnections of human behavior and social institutions. A social world course in the
GC Core.

SOC 230 Ethnography and Culture
An introduction to ethnographic methods and cultural analysis. The course will operate on two interrelated dimensions, one focused on the history of ethnography and cultural analysis in anthropology and sociology, the other focused on practical techniques of qualitative research, including specific skills in qualitative research design, methods, and data analysis. The course includes an ethnographic research project.

SOC 310 Social Theory
A comparative study of prominent social theorists of the past 200 years with specific attention to their interpretations of social changes related to modernity, globalization, and identity. Includes an examination of the purpose of social theory particularly as it relates to sociological inquiry. Prerequisite: Soc 200 or consent of instructor. Taught in a
distance education format as part of the Sociology Collaborative

WGS 390 Gender Theory & Practice
This seminar-style course addresses key issues in gender theory and practice with an emphasis on intersectionality (race, class, gender, etc.) in local and global contexts. Prerequisite: one WGS course or permission of instructor.

Co-Faculty Leader of Study Service Term (SST), Goshen College, Goshen Indiana.  Facilitated cross cultural academic and service learning experiences for 21 college students to Theis, Senegal. Coordinated schedules, led discussion groups, graded journals and worked with budgetary issues. April- July 2012, 2014, 2022

Yoder, Kendra.  2024.  Source:  Maple Scholar Fellowship, Goshen College.  Submitted to Goshen College and awarded summer fellowship to work intensively with an undergraduate Sociology major doing qualitative research with the Apache Stronghold. $1500 (awarded)

Yoder, Kendra. 2016.  Source:  Mininger Grant, Goshen College.  Funds were awarded to develop and submit two conference presentations, with the plan to develop at least one of these presentations into an article for publication.  $1000 (awarded)

Yoder, Kendra.  2016.  Source:  Maple Scholar Fellowship, Goshen College.  Submitted to Goshen College and awarded summer fellowship to work intensively with three undergraduate students to develop curriculum, evaluation, and grant proposals for bystander education at Goshen College. $1000 (awarded)

Yoder, Kendra. 2012  Source:  Indiana University Associate Faculty Development Grant  Project Title:  Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, Travel & Presentation Grant

Yoder, Kendra. 2011  Source:  Indiana University Associate Faculty Development Grant.  Project Title:  Dissertation Transcription Support Award Amount:  $ 500 (awarded)

Yoder, Kendra. 2009  Source:  Indiana University Associate Faculty Development Grant  Project Title:  Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, Travel & Presentation Grant  Award Amount:  $ 500 (awarded)

Baum, Margaret and Kendra Yoder. 2008.  Submitted by Broadway Christian Church.  Source:  Health Interventions in Non-Traditional Settings, Missouri Department of Health  Research Project Title:  Teen Relationship Education and Empowerment (TREE): A Faith-Based Health Initiative Against Violence.  Award Amount:  $ 50,000 (funded October, 2009)

Curriculum Development, U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). Grant supported resourcing to develop and implement a new bystander curriculum tailored to meet the unique needs of Goshen College. 2022-2024

Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Program, Department of Education Grant. Work with grant funds to assess and support faculty development and preparedness for leading our Study Service Term. 2022-2024

Research Site Coordinator, Religion and Violence E-Learning (RAVE). Work with Dr. Nancy Nason-Clark, University of New Brunswick Family Violence Center. This Lilly endowed project explores the interface between religious and service provider communities in four North American sites. 2007- 2009

Research Consultant, University of Missouri Pew-sponsored Center on Religion and the Professions (CORPS).  Summer, 2008

Faculty Fellow, University of Missouri Difficult Dialogues Initiative.  Funded by the Ford Foundation, faculty fellows developed facilitation skills for difficult dialogues related to issues of diversity in the classroom. (Awarded $500 Stipend) Fall 2007

Coordinator, Teen Relationship Education & Empowerment (TREE) TREE is a grant funded initiative to work with local religious groups in Boone County to develop youth education about teen dating violence and healthy relationships 2008- 2009

Co-Coordinator, Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Center (RSVP Center)  Taught peer educator class (60 hours) winter semester of (2005- 2007) to undergraduate peer educators at the University of Missouri; advised four student groups; collaborated with inter-university task forces, prevention services, and social justice offices; and supervised social work interns.  September 2004 – May 2008

Outreach Coordinator & Shelter Counselor, The Shelter for Survivors of  Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, Columbia, Missouri.  Coordinated volunteer staff and community outreach and education; provided residential and nonresidential individual counseling; co-facilitated group therapy. May 2003-August 2004

Volunteer Coordinator & Victim Advocate, The Shelter for Survivors of Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, Columbia, Missouri.  Coordinated volunteer training and staff; provided advocacy and education through hotline, court advocacy, and hospital services. August 2002- May 2003

Assistant Leader of Cross-Cultural Programs, Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Virginia.  Facilitated learning and travel experiences for 19 college students to the Middle East in Fall 1999 and 24 students to Switzerland in Winter 2000. Coordinated schedules, led discussion groups, and worked with budgetary issues. September 1999- May 2000

ESL Intensive Language Instructor, Intensive English Program, Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Virginia.  Taught grammar, phonetics, and context to 25 international students in preparation of collegiate studies in English. Summer 1999

Assistant Director of Admissions/ Admissions Counselor, Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Virginia. Organized and facilitated campus visitations; worked with perspective students & parents in Virginia. July 1997- May 1999

Therapeutic Support Staff, Philhaven Hospital, Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Managed a case load of outpatient children with behavioral disorders; provided additional services to children in both inpatient and outpatient settings. September 1996 – July 1997

Book Chapter

 Yoder, Kendra.  2004.  “Policy Response to Employment Discrimination.”  Module book chapter contributed to Breaking the Silence in Social Work Education: Domestic Violence Modules for Foundation Courses, edited by Fran Danis & Lettie Lockhart  (Council on Social Work Education).

Academic & Professional Presentations

Yoder, Kendra and Ethan Lapp. March 6, 2019. “Safety & Support on SST.” Global Education for All: Renewing our Vision SST Conference. Goshen, Indiana.

Yoder, Kendra and Sandra McMasters. 2018. “Reflections on the Migrant Trail 2018.” Southside Fellowship Mennonite Church & Florence Church of the Brethren.

Yoder, Kendra and Beth Birky, 2016. “Generative Refusals: Student activism and administrative accountability around Title IX.” National Women’s Studies Association. Montreal, Canada.

Yoder, Kendra L., 2014.  Author meets Critic:  Men Who Batter by Nancy Nason-Clark & Barbara Fisher-Townsend (Invited Panelist).  Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. Indianapolis, Indiana.

Yoder, Kendra L., 2012.  “African Anabaptist Women Theologians: Reading the Bible from the perspectives of African women’s experiences.”  Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. Phoenix, Arizona.

Yoder, Kendra L. and Kevin McElmurry, 2009.  “Gender and the Production of Safe Space in      Religious Contexts: Issues for Bringing Men In.” Society for the Scientific Study of     Religion.  Denver, Colorado.

Yoder, Kendra L., 2009. “Producing Commitment: Narrating Domestic Violence in the Church.”  Midwest Sociological Society. Des Moines, Iowa.

Yoder, Kendra L., 2008. “Building bridges between the Shelter and the Steeple.”  The Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. Columbia, Missouri.

Yoder, Kendra l., 2008. “Negotiating an Historical Divide: Women of faith doing advocacy in the domestic violence movement.”  Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. Louisville, Kentucky.

Yoder, Kendra L., 2008. “Building Team Consensus Across Disciplinary and Geographic Boundaries.”  Qualitative Analysis Conference. New Brunswick, Canada.

Yoder, Kendra L., 2008. “Talking Across Differences about Domestic Violence.”  Midwest Sociological Society. St. Louis, Missouri.

Yoder, Kendra L., 2006. “Mennonite Cultures of Pacifism: Resistance, Knowledge, and Use.” Association for the Sociology of Religion. Montreal, Canada.

Yoder, Kendra and Bradley Wing, 2006. “Working for Change and Engaging with Anti-Sexism: Women and Men in Anti-Violence Peer Education Programs.”  Society for the Scientific Study for Social Problems. Montreal, Canada.

Yoder, Kendra L., 2005.  “The Gender Factor and ‘The Best Interest of the Child’:  Domestic Violence and Child Custody in Missouri Policy and Practice.”  Annual Meetings of the Midwest Sociological Society. Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Yoder, Kendra L. 2005. “Exploring Religious Identities: Mennonite Conversations At and About Weddings.” Annual Meetings of the Midwest Sociological Society. Minneapolis,    Minnesota.

Yoder, Kendra and Chris Linder, 2005.  “Peer Education Programs: Effectiveness Related to        Gender and Violence Topics.”  National Women’s Studies Conference. Orlando, Florida.

Yoder, Kendra L., 2004.  “Locating Religious Identity(ies): Being Mennonite in a Global Era.” Annual Meetings of the Association for the Sociology of Religion. San Francisco, California.

Yoder, Kendra, Beth Pickens, Katie Spencer, Ann Briedenbach, and Chris Linder, 2004. “Reclaiming our Roots: Feminist Community Building in Higher Education.”  National Women’s Studies Conference. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

• SST Risk and Safety Assessment Task Force. Present
• Co-Chair, Campus Climate Survey Task Force, Goshen College. 2017-18
• ICESA Campus Consortium Liaison for Goshen College. 2017–Present
• International Education Advisory Group, Goshen College. Present
• Faculty Advisor & Coordinator, Prevention & Intervention Network (PIN), Goshen College. 2015- Present
• Faculty Member, MLK Planning Committee, Goshen College. 2015-2018
• Committee Member, Academic Dean Search, Goshen College. 2016-17, 2017-18
• Committee Member, All Faculty & Staff Retreat, Goshen College. 2016-2017
• Faculty Advisor, Functional Immediate Response to Student Safety Team (FIRSST), Goshen College. 2014-2015
• Faculty Member, Writing Advisory Board, Goshen College. 2015