The LGBTQ+ Steering Committee is comprised of staff, faculty, and students who provide support, programming, professional development, and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) and allied members of the Bentley University Community. Through ongoing initiatives, the committee works to educate the campus community in order to create a more inclusive and welcoming climate for LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies.
If you are interested in becoming involved with the LGBTQ+ Steering Committee, please contact Matt Banks (matthewbanks@bentley.edu).
Programs and Initiatives
LGBTQ+ Pride Month
Hosted annually in June, Pride Month is a series of programs for and by the LGBTQ+ community. Events include community gatherings for queer and trans community members and educational opportunities highlighting LGBTQIA+ history, accomplishments and needs. Members of the LGBTQ+ Steering Committee, in collaboration with the Office of Diversity & Inclusion and campus partners, serve on the Pride Month Planning Committee.
Transgender Awareness Week
Hosted annually around Trans Day of Remembrance on November 20th, Trans Awareness Week brings together the Bentley community to celebrate the spirit, visibility and power of the Trans community at Bentley and beyond. The week's programs combine education, community celebration and a Trans Day of Remembrance Vigil to provide space for all Bentley community members to find space for themselves.
Campus Pride Index
Campus Pride is a nonprofit organization that helps student leaders and campus groups create safer college environments for LGBTQ students. Campus Pride has resources, programs and services to support LGBTQ and ally students. The LGBTQ+ Steering Committee annually reviews Bentley's Campus Pride Index submission to ensure accuracy and plan for advocacy projects for the following year.
Ally 101 and Trans Ally Workshops
The LGBTQ+ Steering Committee sponsors and facilitates the Ally 101 and Trans Ally Workshops for faculty and staff. These two-hour workshops introduce participants to language and best allyship practices for and in the LGBTQ+ community. The workshops take participants through self-reflection activities and action planning in order to foster a more welcoming and inclusive campus community.
Current Membership
The faculty, staff and students listed below currently sit on the LGBTQ+ Steering Committee:
| Name | Pronouns | Title | Office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Banks | they/them/theirs | Associate Director | Office of Diversity & Inclusion |
| Patrick Couillard Hale | he/him/his | Director | Office of Diversity & Inclusion |
| Katie Penn | she/her/hers | Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer | Office of Diversity & Inclusion |
| Nana Adu | she/her/hers | Assistant Director | Gender and Sexuality Student Programs |
| Wiley Davi | any pronouns | Professor | English and Media Studies |
| Andrew Dole | he/him/his | Staff Psychologist | Counseling Center |
| Leslie Doolittle | she/her/hers | Executive Director | Academic Support Services |
| Andrew Fox | he/him/his | Undergraduate Class of '25 | Corporate Finance & Accounting |
| Jessica Greher Traue | she/her/hers | Director | Wellness and Prevention |
| John McElhenny | he/him/his | Senior Director of Strategic Communications | News & Communications |
| Bria Milbery | she/her/hers | Assistant Director | Service Learning Center |
| Stephanie Segalini | she/her/hers | Director | Disability Services |
| Kristin Sorensen | she/her/hers | Associate Professor | Global Studies |
| Paul Stanish | he/him/his | Associate Director | Pulsifer Center for Career Services |
| Ian Walsh | he/him/his | Associate Professor | Management |