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Joanne J. Hartmeyer graduated from the Women’s Studies master’s program in December 2000 with a concentration in incarcerated women. Throughout her professional and personal life, Joanne has compassionately done her utmost to support individuals in their quest of education and a new way of life. She is currently Project Officer in the Office of Research Development at EMU. She is a member of both the National Council of University Research Administrators and of the Michigan Society of Research Administrators.

As an Educator, Grant Writer, and Humanitarian, Joanne has dedicated her talent to helping other people excel. "In the 1970s my home was a ‘safe house’ for victims of domestic violence in Livingston County," she says. "My children and I offered solace to women and their children." In addition to her concern for violence against women, Joanne worked hard to educate parents to provide violence-free environments for their children. Between 1978 and 1984 she began her career with preschool education teaching international non-English speaking students even as she created "Preschool Story Hour," a nonprofit nursery school for low-income families and children at-risk for abuse, which included Parenting Education classes that she taught. It was during this time that Joanne developed a nonprofit organization called Parents and Children Together, or P.A.C.T., which aimed to teach compassionate childrearing and nonviolent discipline.

In 1990, Joanne took on full operational administration responsibilities at The Artrain, Inc. There she was in charge of finance, human resources, staff training, committee membership, fundraising events, and training managers, support and retail staff. For eight years, Joanne worked for the University of Michigan as a Grant Administrator and Project Administrator. Five of those years, she worked as the Project Administrator for the Family Assessment Clinic at the School of Social Work where she managed clinic staff serving victims of sexual abuse. "In 1996, my work in the Family Assessment Clinic reminded me that many women still need our help. And my first course in Women’s Studies seconded that." Her recent travels to Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan "drove the issues home on a more global level. I have seen firsthand how women everywhere suffer from acts of inhumanity because of a lack of power – whether perceived or real. I have changed because now I know that I must choose to be part of the solution, or I become part of the problem."

From her whole-hearted efforts and dedication, we believe that Joanne has proved that she is "part of the solution." Through her humanitarian efforts she has inspired her own daughter, now 30-years-old, to volunteer at a domestic violence shelter in Atlanta, Georgia. "What you do as a parent indeed sets an example for your children," she states.

Currently, Joanne is content in her position as Project Officer in the Office of Research Development, stating that it is the people with whom she works who make her job most enjoyable. "I am in an occupation where everyone I work with has dreams, and goals, and plans for achieving them. Everyone is a visionary. And everyone has the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life for those around them, in some way. My day is filled with hope."

Joanne oversees and assists in the development and submission of proposals and contracts that are presented and negotiated on behalf of the University. In addition, she is the administrator on grants that help fund one year of undergraduate study for international students from post-Soviet countries. She has also worked as Adjunct Faculty and a trainer in ongoing grant writing workshops at EMU and has made many appearances as Guest Lecturer on campus.

A typical day at work for Joanne Hartmeyer:

"I am in meetings most of the day with faculty who are preparing proposals, or I may be reading guidelines for a proposal, or determining who should be invited to participate on a proposal team. I assume fiscal responsibility for proposals in regards to budget preparation. From August to April, when my international students are on campus, I am also meeting with them, taking them on cultural trips, working with departments and service areas on campus to solve their problems and assist them in getting what they need while they are studying on our campus. And right now, I am serving on the Planning Committee for the Third International Cultural Competence Institute to be held the end of May."

Advice for individuals pursuing a degree in women’s studies:

…find your passion. The decision to complete a master’s in Women’s Studies comes from somewhere inside you – something that calls to you – some women’s issue that you align yourself with – and if you identify that, you will understand completely where you are headed with your newly acquired knowledge.

Dreams for the future:

"…to open a Half-Way House for mothers paroled from Michigan prisons"
Joanne’s dream is an elaborate one, over which she has contemplated a full two year residential program to help women transition successfully into society by providing housing, education and life skills, and counseling. Not only would the program empower women, but also it would help give their children opportunity so that they "will not continue the cycle of incarceration." Joanne’s dream sounds so complete, it could soon be reality.