Emerald M. Archer, PhD

For the past decade, Emerald Archer has focused her research and advocacy efforts on issues related to gender equity in a variety of domains, from the United States Armed Forces to corporate America. In her current role as Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for the Advancement of Women at Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles, she leads the University's efforts related to gender equity applied research, education and policy analysis. In 2019, she assumed the role of Executive Director of the Women’s College Coalition (WCC). The Coalition is a convener and a leading advocate for women’s universities in North America, facilitating data sharing and best practices to ensure that women’s colleges and universities continue to thrive. The WCC currently has 37 college and university members serving a population of over 42,000 students.

Prior to joining Mount Saint Mary’s, she was the Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and a Political Science professor at Woodbury University (Burbank, CA). Her academic writing is dedicated to exploring gender equity and systemic discrimination, stereotype threat, and women’s representation in non-traditional sectors. She has published numerous peer-reviewed articles in national journals, contributed to several research anthologies, and wrote a book titled Women, Warfare and Representation: American Servicewomen in the Twentieth Century. In addition to being a seasoned keynote speaker, she is a frequent contributing expert in national and local media outlets such as Vox, NPR, Good Day LA, Inc.com, Spectrum News 1.

She serves on the board of directors for the Foundation for Women Warriors and holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Sub-specialties: Women and minorities in the military