Our Mission
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning (LGBTQ+) Center works to create a welcoming, safe, inclusive, and equitable environment for LGBTQIA+ members of the Dickinson community. The LGBTQ+ Center strives to ensure campus environments that are supportive of student diversity in the areas of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression through a lens of intersectionality. Support services, resources, programs, advocacy, training, education, and consultation are provided to the members of the Dickinson College community.
Our Vision
We strive to improve the Dickinson College campus climate by coordinating efforts across campus, providing outreach to students, staff, and faculty, and working to ensure the inclusion and integration of LGBTQIA+ issues campus wide. Our goal is to enhance the Dickinson College campus community and to ensure the advancement of our students’ academic pursuits by creating an open and affirming environment void of homophobia, heterosexism, cissexism, transphobia, and gender bias. Through educational, social, and supportive programming, along with conducting training sessions and consultation, the LGBTQ+ Center serves the entire campus community.
History of the Office of LGBTQ Services and the LGBTQ+ Center at Dickinson
From being among the first colleges and universities in the country to offer domestic-partner benefits to hosting the annual Gay-Straight Alliance Leadership Summit for college and high-school students (the only one of its kind in Pennsylvania), Dickinson has a history of welcoming students, faculty and staff who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, and/or ally. Although several initiatives have taken place on the Dickinson campus to provide a more LGBTQ inclusive environment, recent history and programs have primarily grown from the Office of Diversity Initiatives.
Since 2009, the Office of Diversity Initiatives has partnered with the LGBT Community Center Coalition of Central Pennsylvania to host an annual GSA Leadership Summit. Besides the GSA Leadership Summit, several other exciting initiatives have been developing on campus. During fall 2010, the Office of Diversity Initiatives under the direction of Paula Lima Jones, assisted with the creation of Pride@Dickinson. Coordinated by Joy Verner, Communications Manager for Student Development, Pride@Dickinson created a foundation upon which the LGBTQ Services Office was created.
Brian Patchcoski was selected to lead the new Office of LGBTQ Services and began as Director on August 1st 2012. Brian spent two years building a strong and vibrant Office from the ground up, collaborating with student organizations, campus departments, and community organizations to provide the Dickinson community with access to resources, activities and support services.
In July 2014, Erica (Gordon) Lawrence began as the Interim Director of the Office after Brian Patchcoski left the College for a new opportunity out of state. She has worked to continue the programs, trainings, and support services established firmly by her predecessor, while also creating new opportunities and experiences. In 2015, Erica was given the title of "Director" of the Office. During the 2019-2020 academic year, Anne Stewart served as Interim Director of the Office.
In July 2020, Todd Nordgren, Ph.D., started as the Director of LGBTQ Services.
In the Fall of 2023 the Office of LGBTQ Services was offically renamed the LGBTQ+ Center. Tommy Lee Jr., MPH became the center's director in October 2023.
Feel free to e-mail any questions you may have to the LGBTQ+ Center at LGBTQ@Dickinson.edu
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