Mission
The President’s Advisory Committee on LGBTQIA+ initiatives is a cross-campus collaboration between UT Austin faculty, staff, and students. We promote the thriving of all LGBTQIA+ people on campus and assist UT Austin in honoring its commitment to diversity by developing and presenting actionable recommendations, informed by the needs of LGBTQIA+ campus community, to the Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement and the President of the University.
Vision
We envision a UT Austin that is inclusive, equitable, and accessible to all LGBTQIA+ people, and we envision a constant, symbiotic relationship between LGBTQIA+ communities and university administration.
Background
The President’s Advisory Committee on LGBTQIA+ Initiatives was founded in 2010. Since our inception, we’ve been able to successfully advocate for key changes to UT Austin’s campus over the years. Some of them include: the formation of the LGBTQ studies program, Gender Inclusive Restrooms around campus, and establishing an option to put pronouns on canvas pages. Our current committee has representatives from the Counseling and Mental Health Center, the Gender and Sexuality Center, LGBTQ Studies, the Pride and Equity Faculty Staff Association, Queer Graduate Student Alliance, Queer and Trans People of Color Agency, Queer and Trans Student Alliance, and a myriad of others.
2021-22 Committee Members:
Name | Pronouns | Affiliation | Organization |
---|---|---|---|
Jorge Perez | He/Him | Co-chair | Faculty |
Sarah Schoonhoven | She/They | Co-chair | Staff (PEFSA, Pride Alumni Network) |
Lisa Moore | She/Her | Ex officio | LGBTQ studies/Faculty |
Liz Elsen | They/She | Ex officio | GSC/staff |
Helen Wormington | She/Her | Liaison | DDCE |
Betty Jeanne Taylor | She/Her | Member | DDCE/staff |
Sarah Sloan | She/Her | Member | Faculty |
Joey Hannah | He/Him | Member | CMHC/staff |
Quynh-Huong Nguyen | She/They | Member | GSC/staff |
Tasnim Islam | She/Her | Member | Undergrad student (QTPOCA rep) |
Grayson Hunt | He/They | Member | LGBTQ Studies/staff |
Beth Chinchester | All | Member | PEFSA/Faculty |
Jesus Ortega | He/Him | Member | Dell Medical School/Faculty |
Isaac James | He/Him | Member | Undergrad student (VP of Student Senate) |
Adrienne Bergfeld | They/Them | Member | Undergrad student (QTSA rep) |
Meg Bishop | They/Them | Member | Grad student |
Sarah Simi Cohen | Member | Grad student/GSC | |
Sidney Garner | Member | Grad student/GSC |
Contact
Have questions or want to speak with this committee directly? Email lgbtqia+initiativecouncil-request@utlists.utexas.edu and a member will respond as soon as possible.