Student Affairs LGBTQA+ Center
About Us
The LGBTQA+ Center, along with the Women’s Center, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln serves students and the campus community through a focus on Gender, Sexuality and Social Justice. We are dedicated to transforming campus climate at the university for students, staff, faculty, alumni and community members by developing and supporting a more inclusive understanding of gender and sexuality through education, advocacy, outreach and development opportunities.
Staff
We encourage anyone who wants to meet with staff to set an appointment by email.
-
Pat Tetreault
Director – LGBTQA+ and Women’s Centers
she/any
- PTetreault1@unl.edu
- 402.472.2598
JD McCown
Assistant Director
they/them
- Jd.mccown@unl.edu
- 402.472.1752
Ash Turner
Graduate Assistant
they/them
- lgbtqa.ga@unl.edu
- 402.472.1652
Student Staff
Isabella Reifert
Undergraduate staff
they/them
Jay Cleveland
Undergraduate staff
he/they
Jayden Simmons
Undergraduate staff
she/her
Natalie Hole
Undergraduate staff
she/her
Our Purpose
Mission Statement
The LGBTQA+* Center works collaboratively to provide intersectional education, resources, outreach, and advocacy to develop academic success, identities, community, and leadership opportunities.
* Lesbian, Gay, Bi/pan-sexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Asexual, Aromantic, Allies + additional identities relevant to sexual orientation, gender identities, and expression.
Vision Statement
Our vision is to have a campus that recognizes intersectional understandings of gender and sexuality, by engaging with campus and local community on issues related to gender, gender equity, sexuality and social justice.
Social Justice Values Statement
We recognize the intersections of gender and sexuality with race, ethnicity, class, ability, age, culture, nationality, immigration status and all social systems. We work to build and bridge communities that welcome and affirm people to be their whole selves, honoring their multiple identities and life experiences. We work to change systems that marginalize individuals and communities based on social identities. We are committed to supporting student success, building community, and developing leaders.
We are committed to InPOWER Huskers!
Intersectionality-recognizing the multiple, mixed and intersecting identities that we all encompass and that interact with gender and sexuality – to ensure a focus on marginalized identities and acknowledging that every person and every interaction matters.
Purpose-to help students define and determine their purpose in pursuing higher education.
Ownership-to help students take ownership of their story and educational journey.
Wellbeing-to support students in being the best version of themselves.
Engagement-to encourage engagement in experiences that help prepare students to excel in a global society.
Relationships-to facilitate building relationships with peers, faculty/staff, alum, and community members.
Our History
Both the LGBTQA+ Center and Women’s Center evolved out of student activism that can be traced back to student groups in 1970. The Gay Action Group was a student organization that evolved into SprectrumUNL, the primary social LGBTQA+ student organization on campus that exists to this day. In 2007, Pat Tetreault was hired as a full-time staff person in Student Involvement for GLBTA Programs and Services and the center opened on the third floor of the Nebraska Union.
In 2018, the LGBTQA+ Center and Women’s Center became free-standing centers and in 2019 the two came under the guidance of the Student Life and Leadership focus of Student Affairs. In 2020, the centers now have an assistant director in each center and a program coordinator dedicated to serving campus needs. Both centers have contributed to the campus and benefited from engagement by students, faculty, staff, alum and community members. We look forward to continuing to move forward together.
There is so much more to the story, which we are more than happy to share if you are interested! If you have a story to contribute, please feel free to contact Pat at pat.tetreault@unl.edu.
View the History of LGBT at UNL on the website of the Chancellor’s Commission on the Status of Gender and Sexual Identities.