The LGBTQ Presidents in Higher Education is now the LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education. The nonprofit organization, incorporated in 2012 by a group of out LGBTQ college and university presidents, adopted a new mission to go along with its new name. The changes were approved at a meeting of the organization’s membership on March 27, 2023 in Chicago.
The mission of the new organization is “to advance effective leadership, create support networks and advocate for LGBTQ issues in the post-secondary academic sector.”
“The new name and mission reflect the broader goals of the organization,” said Richard Helldobler, newly-elected President of the LGBTQ Leaders and President of William Paterson University. “Our membership is now reflective of many levels of LGBTQ leadership, and we are committed to celebrating, advancing and increasing LGBTQ leadership across American higher education.”
Other officers elected are: Erika Endrijonas, Pasadena City College, Past-President; Kristin Esterberg, University of Washington, Bothell, President-Elect; Daniel Lopez, Harold Washington College, Secretary; Dick Senese, Capella University, Treasurer. A full list of board members is available here.Â
The LGBTQ Leadership Institute, the organization’s marquee event, is hosted by and will take place at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven on October 18 and 19th, 2023. For more information, see the Events page.  Â
LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education began in 2010 as a networking group of out LGBTQ presidents and chancellors. The organization incorporated in 2012 as LGBTQ Presidents in Higher Education. Membership is open to leaders at all levels of responsibility at colleges and universities, and associated higher education organizations, in the United States.