LGBTQ Center increases facilitators for Safe Zone Program

September 2, 2016

This is a guest post from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion:

Safe Zone facilitators at Wake Forest

This summer Wake Forest’s LGBTQ Center welcomed a new cadre of facilitators to their Safe Zone Program, increasing the volunteer support to 19. The facilitators represent various administrative and academic departments across the university and bring a wealth of experience, including intercultural competence, understanding of LGBTQ issues, and a commitment to facilitation and dialogue.

Since its inception in the Spring of 2012, approximately 1,000 members of the Wake Forest community have completed the Safe Zone training program. This academic year the Center will introduce a new curriculum, advanced workshops, and a lunch and learn series that will offer education around special topics such as transgender identities, LGBTQ History at WFU, intersectionality, among others developed by Kayla Lisenby, Program Coordinator for the Center.

“Safe Zone is important because it dispels misconceptions and answers questions about how people can support members of the LGBTQ community,” said Lisenby. “Our new facilitators greatly expand our capacity and better positions the Center to offer programs, resources, and services that enhance the skills and support for members of our community.”

For a list of upcoming Safe Zone Workshops and for updates about LGBTQ Center programs and offerings, visit the WFU Professional Development Center website or the LGBTQ Center website and subscribe to the Center list serv. Departments and campus organizations are also encouraged to reach out to the Center to request personalized trainings for their group.

Staff and faculty interested in becoming a Safe Zone faciliator should email the Center at lgbtq@wfu.edu, and members can stay updated on new developments and happenings by following the Center on social media @LGBTQWFU

The complete list of Safe Zone facilitators and the departments they represent is below:

–Celina Alexander, Assistant Director, Intercultural Center
–Glenn Bergesen, Administrative Assistant, College Development
–Zach Blackmon, Residence Life Coordinator,  Residence Life and Housing
–Christie Dalton, Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Relations, University Advancement
–Elizabeth Dam-Regier, Manager of Project Office,  Human Resources
–Susan Garcia, Graduate MS Clinical Counseling & Addiction
–Fahim Gulamali, Assistant Director of Student Engagement and Programming, Pro Humanitate Institute
–Kayla Lisenby, Program Coordinator, LGBTQ Center
–Colleen Lofton, Program Coordinator, Women’s Center
–Sarah Magness, Residence Life Coordinator, Residence Life and Housing
–Angela Mazaris, Director, LGBTQ Center
–Shannon McKinney, Academic Counselor, Office of Academic Advising
–Tracy Mills-Howell, Learning Specialist, Information Systems
–Carol Ann Moore Harris, Administrative Coordinator, University Advancement
–Kaitlyn Ruhf, Assistant Director, Special Events Athletics
–Shelley Sizemore, Director of Academic Programs and Community Engaged Research,  Pro Humanitate Institute
–Erica Still, Associate Professor, English
–Rolisa Tutwyler, Business Manager and Liaison to Executive Director, Pro Humanitate Institute
–Matt Williams, Director of Communication, Office of Diversity and Inclusion