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Valeriya Woodard '25 (she/her/hers) joined the Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies (GWSS) department as the inaugural Public History Collective Post-Baccalaureate Fellow. As a fellow, her work looks to continue to uncover and create space for Grinnell's rich Black history and legacy through oral history interviews with Black alumni, connecting with students, and partnering and hosting events with offices across campus. In her new position, she has conducted several interviews with Black alumni, has visited multiple classes, participated in Coffee with the College that takes place in Renfrow Hall, and co-hosted a during among many other projects and events. She is currently working on building a living website as a hub for Black Grinnellians, past, present, and future. 

As a student, Woodard worked with Dr. Beauboeuf-Lafontant (Dr. B) as a GWSS research assistant and as a member of Team Renfrow to help bring much-needed visibility to the college's first Black alumna, Mrs. Edith Renfrow Smith, GC '37, DHL '19. She conducted foundational research into Mrs. Edith and the over nine-decade-long legacy of Black women at Grinnell. During the Renfrow Hall dedication weekend, she led the Walk A Mile In Her Shoes event, took part in the Hazelwood Cemetery Walks: African Americans of Early Grinnell, and put together the with helpful input from Feven Getachew '24, which was displayed at the Edith Renfrow Smith ’37 Student Art Gallery in the Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center (JRC) in the fall of 2024. Woodard also worked closely with Dr. Nadia Vossoughi in the psychology department, conducting research on the dehumanization of young Black girls. She presented her work at the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues conference in June of 2025. 

Woodard, an avid creative and musician, was the Grinnell Singers Choir president for two years and spent time on stage as a member of the Queer People of Color (QPOC) drag show. She has also performed for various events on campus and in town, hoping to spread the value of vulnerability and authenticity through live music. To honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Mrs. Edith, whom she came to call "Gramma E," after her passing in early 2026, Woodard hosted a Sonic Celebration that will be reprised during the 2026 Alumni Reunion. 

Although Woodard now calls Minneapolis, MN, home, she identifies most truly as a "Midwestern gal," spending parts of her life in St. Louis, MO, Pella, IA, and St. Cloud, MN. She enjoys spending time outside, admiring the little beauties of life, and more recently connecting with her inner child via crayons. Pop by her office to imagine, connect, and listen to a song or two together!