The LGBTQ Student Center looks forward to serving thousands of new and returning members of the community at Kent State by providing social, mentorship, and research opportunities within a safe and welcoming environment.
The LGBTQ Student Center has an exciting addition to the space: office bikes! Visit the center to ride one of the new office bikes that allows you to pedal while you study, socialize, or read something from our premium LGBTQ+ book collection. These new office bikes have been provided for use at the center by the university’s BASIL (Biking and Studying Improves Life) program, which is a part of KSU’s healthy campus initiative that is dedicated to promoting a Kent State of Wellness for employees, students, and campus visitors.
Another way of becoming involved with the Center is to join the Quest Mentorship Program and support a student. This program looks to connect Kent State students with marginalized genders and sexualities to LGBTQ+ and Ally community members who will provide general support and career-related guidance. This program helps students consider possible career paths and educates them on what life can be like for LGBTQ+ adults in the workforce. If you are interested, please contact Ken Ditlevson at 330-672-8580 or lgbtqsc@kent.edu.
If you are an LGBTQ+ alum who attended KSU from 1969 to 1979, there is an opportunity for you to participate in research currently taking place at Kent State: A message from Dr. Molly Merryman (Ph.D. and Director of the Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality) about this project: “Dear LGBTQ+ Alum, I am starting an oral history project about the beginnings of KSU offering LGBT classes. We were one of the first in the world to offer them. Our first class, started by Dr. Dolores Noll, was in 1972. I am wanting to interview all interested LGBTQ+ alum who attended KSU from 1969-1979. It doesn’t matter if you took those classes or were out then—I want your perspective. I am working on a documentary for the 2022 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Studies. Contact me via Facebook or at mmerryma@kent.edu”
Finally, you can contribute to the success of the Center and its students by making a tax-deductible financial donation to the LGBTQ Student Center. Your donation will enable us to continue to assist Kent State LGBTQ+ students in a variety of ways, including financial support. The LGBTQ Emergency Fund is available for students in need of additional funding for books, academic supplies, household items, housing, or food. To donate, please visit: /advancement/give-online-now
Student Spotlight: Jennifer Lowers
Jennifer is a third-year graduate student in Kent State’s Curriculum and Instruction doctoral program and an intern at the LGBTQ Student Center. She has a BA in English and an MA in Teaching English as a Second Language. Since 2011, she has been teaching English to both undergraduate and graduate international students from a diverse range of countries at four universities located in the US, Germany, and Japan. In addition to working as a graduate assistant in the School of Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum Studies, during the spring semester she also helped to lead a cultural café for students at Theodore Roosevelt High School, which provided a platform for international students to celebrate and share information about their cultures with their peers. Following graduation, she hopes to work at a university as a professor of literacy or in an office dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in higher education, continuing to work with and advocate for students from marginalized groups.
Upcoming Events (Late Fall 2018 and Spring 2019):
- QUEST Mentorship Launch and Training Session- November 3rd, Time Pending, Kent Student Center. Email LGBTQSC@Kent.edu for info or questions.
- LGBTQ+ Alumni Reception- April 5th, 2019 5-6pm, Kent Student Center Ballroom Balcony
- Lavender Graduation- April 5th, 2019 6-8:30pm, Kent Student Center Ballroom