More than 100 LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education Gather for Leadership Institute

Addressing issues of attacks on LGBTQ rights, CRT, and higher education

LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education is hosting its annual Leadership Institute at Southern Connecticut State University, October 18-20, 2023 in New Haven, Connecticut. One hundred ten leaders from around the country have registered for the Institute, making it the largest such event since the LGBTQ Presidents in Higher Education began offering leadership events in 2015. TIAA is the Platinum Sponsor of the Leadership Institute.

The Institute will also host the Annual Meeting of the LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education, formed in March 2023 as a reorganization of the LGBTQ Presidents in Higher Education.

“With the launch of LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education, we have removed the need for ‘hope’ in finding community, mentorship, and professional development for career advancement,” said Richard Helldobler, President of the LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education and President of William Paterson University. “You merely need to Google ‘LGBTQ leadership,’ and this organization pops up, and you can join. This is pivotal, transformational, and yes, with this national organization, the country has just shifted toward being intentional about queer leadership in higher education.”

The 2023 Institute, “Advancing the Frontier of LGBTQ Leadership,” is designed to provide professional development and mentoring opportunities for current and future LGBTQ leaders across all sectors of higher education. The institute seeks to empower individuals and institutions to be responsive and proactive in the context of relentless attacks on curriculum and leadership in higher education related to LGBTQ+ rights; diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts; and critical race theory.

“Partnerships with the Human Rights Campaign and the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) emphasize the intersectional nature of our work as leaders committed to providing education and advocacy regarding LGBTQ issues in the academy,” said Jim Berg, Executive Director.

The conference will include a workshop on “Addressing Attacks on LGBTQ Rights, CRT, and Higher Education,” presented and sponsored by the HRC Foundation and led by Ted Lewis, Kate Oakley and Leslie Hall. Additionally, Eric Marcus, author and host of the “Making Gay History Podcast,” will be the dinner speaker on October 18.

Other Institute highlights include: working with the NADOHE framework to advance racial equity on campus, LGBTQ identity as an asset in institutional transformation, straddling the boundaries between activism and allyship, effective communications, and financial planning.

Several search firms in higher education will be represented in breakout sessions to discuss successful search processes. Current and retired LGBTQ presidents, chancellors, superintendents and CEOs will provide one-on-one mentoring to interested participants.

Southern Connecticut State University is the institutional host of the Institute. TIAA is the Platinum Sponsor. Other sponsors include Academic Search, AGB Search, Ellucian, Ferrilli, HRC Foundation, Isaacson Miller, Leonard-Litz Foundation, RPA, RSSC, Spelman Johnson, Diversified Search, and the Virtual Care Group.

LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education began in 2010 as a networking group of out LGBTQ presidents and chancellors. The organization incorporated in 2012 as LGBTQ Presidents in Higher Education. Membership is open to leaders at all levels of responsibility at colleges and universities, and associated higher education organizations, in the United States. A full schedule for the Leadership Institute, and more information on the organization are available on our website www.LGBTQLeaders.net.

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