Faculty Profile for Dr. Patti Giuffre

profile photo for Dr. Patti Giuffre
Dr. Patti Giuffre
Professor — The Graduate College
Professor — Sociology
JCK 280
phone: (512) 245-3614

Biography Section

Biography and Education

I began teaching at Texas State University in 1998. I became the Associate Dean of Retention for The Graduate College in 2023, after serving for over two years as the Assistant Dean. Prior to my work for The Graduate College, I was the graduate director in the sociology department for 8 years. I advised graduate students in the MA in Sociology, MS in Applied Sociology, the interdisciplinary MA/MS in Sustainability Studies, and the online MS in Dementia and Aging Studies programs. As Associate Dean, my portfolio focuses on graduate student retention, particularly the professional development of graduate students. With support from Graduate College staff, I organize Shop Talks, Texas State 3MT®, the Graduate Student Research Conference, and Graduate Student Appreciation Week, among other activities and events for our incredible graduate students at Texas State.

Teaching Interests

I teach courses on gender and qualitative methods at the undergraduate and graduate levels. My goal is to teach in a way that increases students' critical questions, inquisitiveness, thirst for knowledge, abilities to evaluate evidence, and excitement about sociology.

Research Interests

My areas of specialization include work and occupations, gender, sexuality, qualitative methods, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. I have conducted research on gender inequality at work, sexual harassment, and sexual orientation discrimination. Dr. Deborah Harris and I have collaborated on several articles, conference papers, and a book about gender inequality in the culinary industry: Taking the Heat: Women Chefs and Gender Inequality in the Professional Kitchen (2015; Rutgers University Press). Most recently, Dr. Gretchen Webber and I have presented papers and published articles about two topics: (1) women's work relationships with other women, and (2) gendered messages and stereotypes in popular press "career advice" books for women (for example, Lean In, Nice Girls Still Don't Get the Corner Office, Own It, and How Women Rise).

Selected Scholarly/Creative Work

  • Webber, G., & Giuffre, P. (2023). Walking the Corporate Tightrope: Depictions of Work Relationships in Success-at-Work Books for Women. Social Currents, 10(6), 534–554.
  • Burke, F. S., Giuffre, P., & Mays, C. J. (2021, October). Book review of A Field Guide to Grad School: Uncovering the Hidden Curriculum written by Jessica Calarco (published in 2020; Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press). Teaching Sociology.
  • Giuffre, P., & Webber, G. (2021). “Be a Gutsy Girl”: Essentialism in Success-at-Work Books for Women. Gender Issues, 38(2), 134-155.
  • Giuffre, P., & Caviness, C. (2020). Sexualities in Workplaces, Employment, and Discrimination. In N. Naples (Ed.), Companion to Sexuality Studies.
  • Webber, G., & Giuffre, P. (2019). Women’s Relationships with Women at Work: Barriers to Solidarity. Sociology Compass, 13(6), 1–13.

Selected Awards

  • Award / Honor Recipient: College of Liberal Arts Presidential Award for Excellence in Service, Texas State University. 2020
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Feminist Mentor Award, Sociologists for Women in Society. 2017
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Golden Apple for Service, College of Liberal Arts/Texas State University. 2017
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Mariel Muir Mentoring Award, Texas State University. 2016
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Outstanding Faculty Scholar Award (with Dr. Deborah Harris), Center for Diversity and Gender Studies, Texas State University. 2016

Selected Grants

  • Golato, Andrea (Principal), Paulson, Eric (Co-Principal), Giuffre, Patti (Co-Principal). The Master’s Career Pathways: Exit Survey Project, National Science Foundation & The Council of Graduate Schools, Federal, $25000. (Submitted: 2022, Funded: 2022 - 2024). Grant.

Selected Service Activities

Associate Dean of Retention
The Graduate College
October 2023-Present
Member
Faculty Development Advisory Committee
2022-Present
Member
Student Success Faculty Advisory Council
August 2021-Present
Assistant Dean of The Graduate College
February 2021-September 2023
Graduate Advisor
MA Sociology and MS Applied Sociology
2013-2021