Campus Pride has released its list, and for the first time in school history, 秀色app has landed on the distinctive list as one of 40 institutions recognized over six U.S. regions. Kent State is the only school in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and in Northeast Ohio to receive this honor.
For nearly 20 years, Campus Pride has supported college and university campuses to improve LGBTQ campus life for students. The 2020 Best of the Best College and University list is based on information provided on an annual basis, through the , relating to policies, programs and practice.
According to Ken Ditlevson, director of Kent State鈥檚 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Plus (LGBTQ+) Center, it has been a work in progress by way of a self-evaluation process each year that contributed to the national recognition.
鈥淎ccomplishments such as incorporating trans-inclusive healthcare for faculty and staff, a preferred name policy and integrating universal restrooms are what put us over the top,鈥 he said. 鈥淭he fact that Kent State is in the top 40 is a major accomplishment and something I am really proud of.鈥
For Ditlevson, who started in his position in 2016, he has used Campus Pride as a benchmark and roadmap to where he wanted to see the university go with its LGBTQ inclusion.
鈥淜ent State was a 3.5 out of 5 on the scale when I first came in, so we used the Campus Pride index to reflect on what we were doing well and what areas we should be striving to improve in,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t has been really helpful in identifying what we should take on next, not just to improve our score but to improve the environment at Kent State to be more responsive to students and our community.鈥
on the Campus Pride Index.
LGBTQ+ Center intern Kayla Cagwin said it is a source of great pride that Kent State is so accommodating to students on campus.
鈥淚t means so much to me personally as a queer student to know that Kent State supports diverse populations,鈥 Cagwin said. 鈥淚 am honored that I get to be a part of a team that does so much to make Kent State a safe and inclusive space for everyone in our campus community.鈥
That outreach extends beyond the campus and includes potential students each year that visit.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really cool when we have families and parents that come in for a tour because they see our score,鈥 Ditlevson said. 鈥淪o people see that, and then they come to Kent State and get the tour, and it鈥檚 like a no-brainer. They love everything about the campus.鈥
As Kent State looks to the future and maintaining the mark, Ditlevson is quick to point out that the progress is a real community effort.
鈥淚t is not just our center [that should get all the credit]; we have a council that includes representatives from all over the university, including regional reps and folks that come around the table,鈥 Ditlevson said. 鈥淚t is a real conversation amongst the group so we can come to a consensus about how we are meeting this expectation.鈥
To view Campus Pride鈥檚 2020 Best of the Best LGBTQ-Friendly Colleges and Universities list, visit .
Campus Pride is the leading national educational organization for LGBTQ and ally college students, as well as campus groups building future leaders and safer, more LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities. The organization provides resources and services to thousands of college students and nearly 1,400 campuses annually. For more information about Campus Pride, visit . For more information about the Campus Pride Index, visit .
For more information about Kent State鈥檚 LGBTQ+ Center, visit www.kent.edu/lgbtq.
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Media Contacts:
Ken Ditlevson, kditlevs@kent.edu, 330-672-8693
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595