Center for Trans and Queer Advocacy
The Center for Trans and Queer Advocacy is apart of the Division for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. You can find out more about on our divisional website: Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Mission Statement
The mission of the Center for Trans and Queer Advocacy is to create an environment where the intersectional experiences of trans and queer people are supported, celebrated, validated and affirmed
Center for Trans and Queer Advocacy Values
Advocacy
We unapologetically aim to lift up, center, and give support to trans and queer students, staff and faculty. We approach our work with an understanding, awareness and consciousness of the systematic ways oppression marginalizes members of our LGBTQIA+ community. While gender and sexuality are foundational, our broader commitment is to create safer spaces on campus and work in solidarity to build an inclusive and equitable environment where all members feel valued and have agency over their own experience. We serve as active engaged members of our larger WCU community and work within an ethical framework to not only provide resources for those who may not have equal access, but to stay accountable to supporting underrepresented and underserved community members.
Social Justice
We are dedicated to celebrating and validating the intersections of one’s identities while actively working towards dismantling the structural inequalities that disproportionately affect communities that have been impacted by deep-rooted, systemic oppression. We recognize that social justice examines the interconnectedness of one’s social identities and the impact it has on their daily experience. Through education, action, advocacy and accountability we work to liberate trans and queer people from systems of oppression, so they can freely live their lives. Ultimately, we aim to work in solidarity to reimagine a globally and socially just campus environment and world.
Intersectionality
We utilize an intersectional framework as a foundation. This word, though often misused, and over used, is rooted in Kimberle Crenshaw’s work that originally addressed the relationship between race and gender, particularly for black women. For us, intersectionality highlights how our social identities are woven and interconnected to power structures and systemic oppression that impacts people with marginalized identities. In order to obtain a socially just campus and world we cannot silo our work but must advocate for all people who have been impacted by our society's oppression.
Wholistic Wellness
We are committed to the personal and professional well-being of trans and queer communities. We care about the entirety of their experiences and acknowledge the ways in which prioritizing self-care within marginalized communities is often overlooked, de-valued, and neglected, which is a direct result of systemic oppression. We believe the very act of reclaiming self-care is a radical, progressive action towards self-love. We offer opportunities to deepen one’s individual sense of wellness, and encourage communal engagement in learning, development, fulfillment, and academic success.
Meet Our Team
Interim Director
Center for Trans and Queer Advocacy
Name: Kristin English
Pronouns: She/Her
Phone Number: 610-436-3571
Email: Kenglish@wcupa.edu
Associate Director
Center for Trans and Queer Advocacy
Name: Aries Powell
Pronouns: They/Them
Phone Number: 610-436-3146
Email: Bpowell@wcupa.edu
Administrative Assistant
Center for Trans and Queer Advocacy
Name: Anthony Alford
Pronouns: He/Him
Phone Number: 610-436-3147
Email: Aalford@wcupa.edu
Graduate Assistant
Name: Chloe Weissman
Email: Cw936249@wcupa.edu
My name is Chloe Weissman and I am the Graduate Assistant at the CTQA. I graduated from WCU in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in psychology and I am currently in my final year of the Master of Social Work program. I am passionate about providing support for individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community as well as lifting up advocacy measures to empower the community as a whole. I really enjoy working at the CTQA because I am able to connect with students and help the development of LGBTQIA+ resources.
Peer Educators
Name: August
August Harlow (he/it) is a trans and queer senior majoring in Psychology on the Pre-Medical track with minors in Biology and Chemistry. This is his third year working at the Center for Trans and Queer Advocacy, serving as the Research and Development Lead as well as a Peer Educator. Outside of CTQA, August is the president of the Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society and tutors for the Learning Assistance and Resource Center.
Name: Chloé
My name is Chloé, I am a senior in the accelerated masters program for applied statistics and minoring in digital marketing. This is my third year as a peer educator and my focus is in quantitative research and community engagement. My goal is to use the feedback we get from students to help our center grow and help as many students as possible
Name: Katie
Katie Griffin is a third year psychology student minoring in sexuality studies. Along with being a peer educator at the Center for Trans and Queer Advocacy, they are also the vice president of Gender Studies Club and enjoy listening to music in their free time.
Name: Meagan
My name is Meagan Lavin, and I am currently a senior at West Chester University, majoring in Early Childhood Education. I am in my second year of working at the center, where I primarily manage our social media presence.
Name: Miles
Miles (He/Him) is a peer educator at the CTQA. He is a second-year music education major and hopes to specialize in special education. In his free time, he enjoys practicing his music, and shopping!
Name: Gabrielle
Hi, my name is Gabrielle Nguyễn, I use they/them pronouns in English and the cam pronoun in Vietnamese! I study Marketing, as well as serve as Vice President to the Forensics Speech and Debate Team. My interests include teaching, fashion, and music analysis.