Betty Coffey Award

Veronica Shepp

Veronica Shepp, assistant professor of sociology and anthropology in the College of Letters and Science, is the recipient of the Betty Coffey Award honoring a member of the faculty or staff who demonstrates outstanding achievement in incorporating women’s perspectives into the curriculum. Given by the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Committee, the award carries a prize of $1,000.

Shepp is a critical criminologist focusing on race, class and gender. Her research focuses on the experience of survivors of gender-based violence, particularly those who are marginalized. She is particularly interested in help-seeking and social services. Shepp regularly writes and examines Title IX through the narratives of survivors. Her courses frequently include service-learning projects that require students learn through a hands-on approach.

Shepp is active in organizations such as the Voice Center, Students Against Sexual Assault and the Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies Committee. Looking to the future, she hopes to become involved with MSU’s HEART Initiative. Shepp currently leads an independent study with multiple sociology students to create a better understanding of campus-related issues such as climate, curriculum, and diversity efforts.

Created in 1986, the award honors the memory of Betty Coffey, a faculty member in computer science from 1977 until her death in 1984, who was the first woman to achieve tenure in the College of Engineering. The award remembers Coffey’s contributions to faculty development, teaching excellence and women’s equity at MSU.