Ron Ardizzone, director of student systems at Bentley, was recently was appointed a two-year term to serve on the Massachusetts Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Youth. Senator Sal N. DiDomenico presented a citation at the State House on February 12. Ardizzone will serve on the Public Affairs and Outreach committee, which is responsible for communications, community listening sessions and strengthening relationships with appointing organizations.
“I'm very excited for this opportunity to help make our schools safer by working with educators and legislators to increase anti-bullying training, educating communities on how to support transgender and gender-nonconforming students and advocating for resources to support the Commission’s annual recommendations,” Ardizzone says of his new role.
The commission issues annual recommendations to help make Massachusetts state agencies aware of and responsive to the needs of LGBT youth populations in the Commonwealth on issues such as:
• Routine, state-led data collection on sexual orientation and gender identity of all young people in Massachusetts
• Identifying and strengthening LGBTQ-affirming resources, both internal and external, as modeled by the Department of Children and Families LGBTQ liaison program and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s network of Gay/Straight Alliance advisers
• Increased LGBTQ cultural competency among state employees and contracting entities–including schools, foster care providers, and health care organizations
• State agencies developing stronger guidance, best practices, and model policies for working with LGBTQ youth throughout the Commonwealth
For the last 10 years, Ardizzone has been Bentley’s staff adviser to PRIDE (People Respecting Individuality and Diversity through Education), a student organization that provides support and social activities for Bentley’s LGBTQ and Ally community. He serves on the university Diversity Council and co-chairs the faculty and staff LGBTQ@Bentley Steering Committee. The work involves collaborating with colleagues to promote campus educational and awareness programs, including the Day of Silence, Student Ally training, Rainbow Luncheon, and LGBTQ affinity networking events for alumni. In spring 2013, he was appointed to the board of directors of Greater Boston PFLAG (GBPFLAG). He is a member of the group’s executive committee and chairs the communications and technology committee. He holds a BA in International Culture and Economy and an MBA, both from Bentley.
Photo (left to right): Ron Ardizzone and Senator Sal N. DiDomenico