New Director of the LGBTQ Center Named
Experienced leader will join the college in October
Thomas "Tommy" Lee Jr. (he/him/his) will be joining Dickinson as the new director of the LGBTQ Center. Lee is an experienced leader in the fields of LGBTQ+ student support, belonging, and health. He has dedicated his career to addressing inequities faced by marginalized and underserved communities. Lee comes to Dickinson with 10 years of training, consulting and curriculum development experience, and more than five years in programming areas related to diversity, equity and inclusion and student support in higher education.
For the past two years at Lafayette College, Lee served as the associate director for gender & sexuality within the Office of Intercultural Development. He revised and expanded the college's Safe Zone program, revamped the Gender & Sexuality Resource Center, opened the college's first LGBTQ+ centered and gender-inclusive dormitory, implemented over 50 events and initiatives, advised LGBTQ+ and women-centered student organizations, and conducted the college's Campus Pride Index, a national assessment of an institution's LGBTQ+ friendliness. Beyond this, he advocated that his work be matched with policy and procedure at the institutional level that equally demonstrates the college's commitment to queer and trans students.
Prior to Lafayette, Lee worked for the Boston University School of Public Health's Department of Global Health where he oversaw operations for education and graduate programs. He co-founded and chaired the department's diversity, equity, inclusion and justice committee, where he facilitated difficult conversations and strategic improvements around how faculty and staff teach, conduct research and interact with one another and students. He was the inaugural vice chair of the LGBTQ+ faculty and staff network and led a university-wide effort that developed the BU Out List, a centralized hub for sharing resources among LGBTQ+ members of the university community.
Lee also brings years of deeply rewarding experience working in international settings, including Mozambique, Guyana and Botswana, where he supported peer educators living with HIV & AIDS, adolescent girls pursuing education and life skills and queer and transgender professionals and allies seeking to produce a more sustainable and interconnected coalition of civil society organizations.
Lee has worked throughout his career to provide affirming and people-centered resources to individuals and possesses a deep understanding of the social, cultural and political issues surrounding gender and sexuality. He is excited to join a diverse community of scholars and is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of the Dickinson community.
While at Dickinson, Lee will continue to pursue a Ph.D. in population health with a focus on LGBTQ+ health at Lehigh University. He holds a Master of Public Health degree in program management and sex, sexuality, & gender from Boston University, as well as a B.S. in conflict analysis & resolution from George Mason University.
The search committee commented, "Tommy communicated a clear and compelling vision for the LGBTQ center–a vision focused on amplifying the voice and visibility of LGBTQ students, faculty and staff and strengthening the sense of community and belonging for members of our community. Tommy's academic and professional background in conflict analysis and resolution, public health, LGBTQ advocacy and service in the U.S. Peace Corps is a window into their ability to engage, connect and affect change. We are excited to partner with Tommy in the important work to build a more just and equitable community."
Lee will start at Dickinson on Oct. 16, and a welcome reception is scheduled for Oct. 24. Additional information will be available soon.
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Published September 28, 2023