Leadership Matters

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This week we kicked off our Spring membership drive. Our message is that queer leadership in higher education matters more than ever.

We are the only national organization dedicated to developing LGBTQ+ leadership in higher education. The new administration is doing its best to sow chaos in higher education and in the LGBTQ+ community. But we will not be erased. 

That was our message. It’s not unusual to get a few unsubscribe requests when you send out a thousand emails. We all do it. Sometimes there’s a reason listed, such as “this information is no longer relevant for me.” This week, we got the two statements below. The first refers to an lgbtq student group at Iowa State University (bad grammar in the original). The second is from an individual working in higher education in Texas.

Our message continued…

We will continue to serve our mission, doubling down on our commitment to promoting and elevating queer leaders. For us, that is the best way to push back against the forces arrayed against us. And we need individual members now more than ever to achieve our goals. As a member, you will have access to free or low-cost programs, discounts on fees for the Leadership Institute and our new mentoring program, and the opportunity to qualify for fellowships. Join today.

Watch for announcements of new and expanded programming. Take a look at our new RESOURCES page. Your membership matters.

Our Virtual Town Hall

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On January 16, 2025, LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education held a Virtual Town Hall for members to discuss concerns about changes that are coming from the new administration in Washington, DC. Since then, we have seen swift actions at the federal level that validate those concerns. 

Read about what we heard at the Town Hall https://conta.cc/4gIGPFu

Membership Elects New Board Members and Officers, Approves Strategic Plan

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The Annual Meeting of the LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education was held in Bothell, Washington, on October 16, 2024 at 3:15 pm. Members voted on a slate of candidates for positions on the Board of Directors and approved the 2025-27 Strategic Plan.

The Governance and Nominations Committee forwarded a slate of candidates for open board seats. The following were elected on a voice vote:

  • Joe Bertolino, President, Stockton University (NJ)
  • Merrill Irving, Jr., Senior Executive of Advisory Services, Ferrilli
  • Gillian McKnight-Tutein, Chief Educational Equity Officer at the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE)
  • Manny Velasquez-Paredes, Director of Career Education at the University of North Florida

Bertolino was also elected to serve as President-Elect for the 2024-25 term. Board treasurer, Dick Senese, and Board Secretary, Daniel Lopez, were re-elected to those positions. Kristin Esterberg assumed the position of President for the 2024-25 year, and Richard Helldobler assumed the position of Past-President; they will each serve in those roles until the 2025 Annual Meeting.

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

2024 Board Elections

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The Annual Meeting of the LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education will take place on October 16, 3:15 pm at the Leadership Institute. Members will have the opportunity to vote on a strategic plan, recently endorsed by the Board of Directors. The draft strategic plan, which will guide the organization through 2027, is available below. We will have a free virtual discussion on Zoom for feedback and questions on September 30 at 2 pm Eastern, 11 am Pacific. See more information and register here. 

Members will also be asked to ratify a slate of candidates for Board membership that includes Joe Bertolino, President of Stockton University; Manny Velasquez, Director, Career Education at University of North Florida; and Gillian McKnight-Tutein, Chief Educational Equity Officer for the Colorado Department of Higher Education.

With over 30 years in higher education, Joe Bertolino has led initiatives that expand LGBTQ+ support and promote social justice. As President at Stockton University and other institutions, his leadership reflects a deep commitment to equity, fostering inclusive campus environments. Nationally recognized for his work, he has spoken across the country on LGBTQ+ rights, emphasizing dignity, kindness, respect, compassion, and civility.

Gillian McKnight-Tutein says “being accepted to the Board would mean a profound opportunity to advocate for inclusive policies, support other LGBTQ+ leaders and impact educational environments in additionally meaningful ways.”

Manuel Velasquez-Paredes says, “I am honored to be considered to join the Board of LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education, and I bring a deep commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion and equity within our academic communities. My work in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has focused on creating spaces where all voices are heard, and I am passionate about championing the needs of LGBTQ+ youth, faculty, and staff. I look forward to collaborating with fellow leaders to foster environments where everyone can thrive, both personally and professionally.”

Voter Education Webinar

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LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education has joined a coalition of nonpartisan LGBTQ+ organizations to shape discussions on public policy, fight for equality and advance LGBTQ+ rights through voting. Recently, we offered a webinar to help LGBTQ+ college and university students learn about election issues and voting rights. If you missed the live session, you can see the recording here. Passcode: Fgt@Pq3G.

Learn about how you can get involved in the election this year through a nonpartisan civic engagement program focused on voter registration entitled Pride to the Polls. The 2024 election is pivotal for LGBTQ+ rights. Our initiative focuses on voter registration and turnout, crucial for a vibrant democracy that represents LGBTQ+ interests. Participants in our pledge to vote are guided through essential steps: checking voter registration status, registering for mail-in or absentee ballots, accessing voting resources, engaging friends and family in the voting process, and voting between early voting and Election Day. Pride to the Polls is powered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

Learn more at PridetothePolls.com.

Back to School

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Read our August 2024 newsletter, the Back to School Edition.

In this issue…
Highlights of the 2024 Leadership Institute
Honoring Our Founders
2024 Annual Meeting
Upcoming Webinars
Members on the Move
Partner Spotlight
…more

Strategic Plan, 2025-27

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At their August meeting, the Board of Directors of the LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education accepted a draft of a strategic plan that would guide the organization’s development over the next three years. The plan was recommended to the membership, and was approved at the Annual Meeting on October 16 in Bothell, Washington.

The plan covers several major areas: strategic direction, membership, programming, sustainability, as well as reputation and influence building.

Strategic Plan for reviewDownload

See above to review the plan.

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.

LGTBQ Leaders in Higher Education Voices Support for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas

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We are saddened and outraged at the senseless gun violence that has once again shattered the safety and security of college students and staff–this time at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Our hearts are with the victims and the whole UNLV community. These abhorrent acts of violence harm those killed and wounded, their loved ones, and entire communities. As leaders in higher education we know the importance of safe spaces for people to learn, teach, and work.

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

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.

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