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Conscious and Inclusive Language Webinar

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On May 16, we welcomed two great guests to speak to us about using conscious and inclusive language in an academic setting. D. Scott (Ph.D., they/them) is a former academic in critical geography and law turned professional freelance editor. They were zooming in from Albuquerque, New Mexico. (Check out the LGBTQ+ Editors Association.) Thoko Kamwendo (Ph.D., she/her) is a sociologist of science. She was on Zoom from Edinburgh, Scotland.

In their one-hour webinar, the facilitators talked about what conscious and inclusive language is, about how commonly used language can do harm, and how conscious and inclusive language can minimize that harm. The term “conscious language” was coined by Karen Yin, the founder of the Conscious Style Guide. Primarily, D. explained, “conscious and inclusive language is focused on not causing harm and honoring people’s identities.” 

Thoko said, “we think that this distinction between harm and offense is important, particularly in the context of academia, right where learning and discovery happens through the exchange of ideas, and these are exchanges that can sometimes be clashes.” The focus of conscious and inclusive language is on not causing harm, not on avoiding causing offense.

For the full webinar, including a discussion of how other languages (Swedish, Spanish) are approaching gender-inclusive terms, members may log in to the website (see this page on how to do that) and check out the Member Area for the link to the recording.

See the Events page for newest offerings, including webinars.

Board of Directors Openings

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Self Nominations Accepted for Open Board Seats

The Board of Directors seeks new members for the Board and for Board committees. To be considered for either opportunity, candidates must be nominated by the Governance and Nominating Committee, Erika Endrijonas, Past-President, chair. 

The Board of Directors has up to four openings: up to one (1) opening for a current or former president, chancellor, or campus CEO; and up to three (3) openings for candidates to be elected from the membership. The board meets at least four times a year, at least one time in person, usually associated with the Leadership Institute. The Governance and Nominating Committee will propose a slate for ratification by the Members at the Annual Meeting in New Haven on October 19, 2023. 

Candidates for Board committees are approved by a vote of the Board at any scheduled Board meeting. Standing committees of the Board, for which nominations are accepted, include Finance, Program and Membership, and Governance and Nominating. 

Interested members should send a letter of interest and cv, by September 11, 2023, to Jim Berg.

LGBTQ Leaders Responds to Supreme Court Decisions on Affirmative Action and Student Debt Relief

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The recent decision by the Supreme Court of the United States rejecting affirmative action decides that equal access to higher education on the basis of race is unconstitutional and tragically drives us further from the ideals upon which our country was founded. With decades of data that show the disparities in our K through 12 education system, it is clear that not everyone has equal nor equitable access to quality education. Affirmative Action was one lever that sought to remedy these long-held systemic shortcomings and help guide us toward a more perfect Union.   

Equally as troubling is the decision on student loan debt relief. Income inequality remains a systemic problem in the United States and nationwide the disinvestment in higher education  has required students, especially those of color and LGBTQ students, to bear a greater proportion of that cost through student loans. This decision, like that on affirmative action, creates another barrier to equal access to higher education for marginalized populations, which includes LGBTQ people. 

As an organization, LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education advocates regarding LGBTQ issues within the global academy and for the public at large and to put more LGBTQ leaders into the ranks of higher education. We remain committed to working to address these inequities for all marginalized populations, including our LGBTQ students and members of our community. 

–Board of Directors

Announcing LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education

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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.”

Photo of Richard Helldobler

“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. 

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.   

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. 

Members-only Discussion Lounge

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One of the newest features of our website is a members-only discussion board via Discord.

What’s a “discord”? According to the Discord website, their “servers are organized into topic-based channels where you can collaborate, share, and just talk about your day without clogging up a group chat.” Our Discord server is a members-only lounge for discussion of issues, posting questions or event notices, and general shenanigans. 

For example, if you’re the only out lesbian provost in your state, you might want to chat with other lgbtq provosts around the country. Or if you’re in a border town and want to collaborate with others in your area about the rise of anti-queer curriculum, you can look for queer peers on our server. Where else can you do that? The server is web-based, or you can download the Discord app. 

Log in to account by clicking on the blue bar above to find out more.

Investing in the Next Generation of Leadership

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Earlier this year, Johns Hopkins University Press published LGBTQ Leadership in Higher Education, edited by Raymond Crossman, President of Adler University and a founding member of the LGBTQ Presidents in Higher Education. The book collects essays and reflections by over a dozen college and university presidents, chancellors, and CEOs. As a special thank you to contributors, we will give a free ebook for any gift of $50 or more, received by December 31, 2022.

Cover image of the book LGBTQ Leadership in Higher Education
LGBTQ Leadership in Higher Education from Johns Hopkins University Press

In November, we collected a few passages from the book that inspired us and shared them on social media. If you follow us on LinkedIn, you may have seen the following images. If not, you can enjoy them here. 

photo of Karen Whitney and text
Karen Whitney on LGBTQ Leadership

“Awareness, understanding, and perfecting how we successfully navigate the dominant culture’s structures of power and privilege forms the basis of an LGBTQ leader-navigator style.” Karen Whitney is President Emerita of Clarion University of Pennsylvania, where she served as President from 2010 to 2017, and the former Interim Chancellor of University of Illinois Springfield (2020-22) and former Interim Chancellor of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (2017-18).

photo of Rusty Barcelo and text
Rusty Barcelo on intersectionality and leadership

“We will all have to be multiculturalists—meaning inclusive of all groups and recognizing the salience of intersectionality calling for new forms of leadership. As academic leaders, we must model multicultural leadership by breaking out of comfort zones, to embrace diversity and work across cultural differences.” Rusty Barcelo is the former President of Northern New Mexico College (2010-15).

Terry Allison on the gay voice

“For some of us gay men, homophobia has meant managing people’s hostile reaction to our sounding too queer. Homophobia silences us, making us less likely to lead.” Terry Allison is the former Chancellor of Indiana University at South Bend (2013-18) and the former Executive Director of the LGBTQ Presidents in Higher Education (2020-22).

photo of Erika Endrijonas and text
Erika Endrijonas on being a lesbian-feminist leader

“I’m a lesbian feminist leader who understands what it feels like to be the ‘other,’ which I believe makes me sensitive to assumptions about who our students are and what they need to be successful.” Erika Endrijonas is the co-chair of the board for the LGBTQ Presidents in Higher Education. She is Superintendent-President of Pasadena City College, where she has served since 2019. Previous to that, she was President of Los Angeles Valley College.

You can still give to LGBTQ Presidents and Leaders in Higher Education before December 31, 2022 to receive a free e-book! Click on the DONATE button above.

LGBTQ Presidents Response to Colorado Springs Tragedy

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We are saddened and outraged at the senseless gun violence that has once again targeted the LGBTQ community, this time at Club Q in Colorado Springs. As leaders in higher education we know the importance of safe spaces for young and marginalized people. 

LGBTQ young people have been under increasing attacks from politicians and public figures for years. We must stop the anti-LGBTQ rhetoric that breeds violence against us. These abhorrent acts of violence harm those killed and wounded, their loved ones, and entire communities. 

That this attack happened on the eve of Transgender Day of Rememberance, November 20, is particularly disheartening. 

LGBTQ Presidents in Higher Education stands in solidarity, support, and love for our communities around the country.

The mission of LGBTQ Presidents in Higher Education includes provision of “education and advocacy regarding LGBTQ issues within the global academy and for the public at large.” We remain committed to such advocacy for the rights of LGBTQ people, inside and outside of the academy. We expect, and will hold accountable, our elected and appointed officials to be committed to the rights and equality of all Americans.

LGBTQ Presidents in Higher Education advances effective leadership in the realm of post-secondary education, supports professional development of LGBTQ leaders in that sector, and provides education and advocacy regarding LGBTQ issues within the global academy and for the public at large.

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