2018 LGBT+ College Conference Schedule
Conference Theme – All Identities–Bridging the Divide
The conference is free to attend for everyone. Please register to help in planning.Quick links
| Thursday, April 5 | Research and Examination |
| Thursday Evening | LGBT+ College Conference Film Festival |
| Friday, April 6 | Intersections of Identity with the Broader Community |
| Friday Evening | Open Mic Performances |
| Saturday, April 7 | Working and Learning Sessions |
| Saturday evening |
LGBT+ College Conference Awards Dinner
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Thursday, April 5 - Research and Examination
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9:00 AM – 9:30 AM CONFERENCE REGISTRATION AND CHECK-IN
Thursday, April 5, James Union Building, Lobby
James Union Building (JUB), 516 Alma Mater Drive, MTSU campus map coordinates B4
Parking: Bell Lot (green section), MTSU campus map coordinates A4
9:30 AM – 9:50 AM OPENING Remarks
Thursday, April 5, James Union Building, Tennessee Room
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PRESENTATIONS
Thursday, April 5, James Union Building, Tennessee Room: Presentations
Oral presentations will be shared. Projects from any discipline that examine or reflect
on any aspect of the LGBT+ experience are encouraged.
Sponsored by: MTSU Department of Social Work
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM TENNOVATION keynote
Standing on Holy Ground: An Argument for Queer Spaces as Sacred
Thursday, April 5, James Union Building, Tennessee Room
I argue that while sacredness is created "through the telling of stories and the singing
of songs," queer spaces are also made sacred through acts of ostracism from the dominant
heterosexual community. This argument follows, in part, the perception of San Francisco
as a "homeland" and a site of pilgrimage, wherein it is noted that "because…queers
have been persecuted in many times and places, ...territorializing a place, ...can
offer a sanctuary from oppression." If indeed San Francisco functions as a "queer
homeland" then queer spaces outside of this "homeland" are places of sacredness in
that they operate to provide an "escape from oppression 'back home'" and are "comprises[ed
of] many voices, built…through diverse practices over time." This paper makes a case
study of the Orlando nightclub, Pulse, wherein the club itself constitutes the creation of a sacred space which functions
against and alongside everyday heteronormative operations.
Presented by: Keven Lewis, Philosophy and Religious Studies, Middle Tennessee State University
Sponsored by: MTSU Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
Note: The Tracks are Student (S), Student Affairs/Advisor/Faculty (A), and CORPORATE/Workplace (C)
SESSION I – LUNCH AND Nissan TOUR (S)
Thursday, April 5, James Union Building, Tennessee Room (depart from here)
Conference participants will be taken to Nissan's factory for lunch and presentations on internship and employment opportunities. Space is limited (preference will be given to conference participants).SESSION II – SAFE ZONE TRAINING (s, A, C)
Thursday, April 5, James Union Building, Hazelwood Dining Room (lunch will be served)
Learn how to create a network to support all members of the LGBT+ community.
Presented by: The MTSU Safe Zone Training Team
Note: You must pre-register for Safe Zone training; participation is limited to the first 30 people who register.
Sponsored by: SunTrust
Thursday evening - LGBT+ College Conference Film Festival
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6:00 PM LGBT+ College CONFERENCE FILM FESTIVAL and reception (program begins at 6:30 PM)
Thursday, April 5, Keathley University Center, Theatre
Keathley University Center (KUC), 1524 Military Memorial, MTSU campus map coordinates C4
Parking: Jones Lot, MTSU campus map coordinates C3,4
The festival will feature films submitted by attendees and community members from
around the globe.
Host: Allie Sultan, Assistant Professor, Department of Media Arts, Middle Tennessee State University
Friday, April 6 - Intersections of Identity with the Broader Community
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8:30 AM – 9:00 AM CONFERENCE REGISTRATION AND CHECK-IN
Friday, April 6, James Union Building, Lobby
James Union Building (JUB), 516 Alma Mater Drive, MTSU campus map coordinates B4
Parking: Bell Lot (green section), MTSU campus map coordinates A4
9:00 AM – 9:20 AM CONFERENCE OPENING ADDRESS
Friday, April 6, James Union Building, Tennessee Room
Presented by: Jeffery Humble, SunTrust, Conference Advisory Board Chair
9:30 AM – 10:45 AM OPENING PLENARY DISCUSSION
Exploring Diversity and Inclusion in the Tech Industry: Bridging the Workforce Divide
Friday, April 6, James Union Building, Tennessee Room
The tech industry has a reputation for its lack of diversity, but some companies are
trying to change that. This panel will explore what "diversity and inclusion" means
in the tech workplace and provide an overview of the types of initiatives that tech
companies are undertaking to increase diversity and inclusion in the workforce. Panelists
will also provide insight on the questions to ask during the interview process to
determine whether a company is committed to creating an inclusive culture.
Moderator: Candace Warner, Professor, Sociology, Columbia State Community College
Panelists:
Sandi Hoff, Vice President of Education, Nashville Technology Council
Kimberly Tate, Senior Manager of Soluto Quality and Coaching, Asurion
Carnell Elliott (alumnus), Site Lead for the Small Business organization for Nashville, Dell Nashville
co-site director, Dell
Auralia Baggett, Research Analyst for Soluto Lab, Asurion
Resources:
Sponsored by: Nissan
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM KEYNOTE PRESENTATION AND LUNCHEON
CODEBREAKER: The Life and Legacy of Alan Turing
Friday, April 6, James Union Building, Tennessee Room
CODEBREAKER tells the remarkable true story of one of the 20th century's most important
people. Alan Turing set in motion the computer age and his heroic codebreaking helped
win the Second World War. Instead of receiving accolades, Turing faced terrible persecution.
In 1952, the British Government forced him to undergo chemical castration as punishment
for his homosexuality. In despair, Turing committed suicide. He was only 41 years
old. Documentary elements seamlessly interconnect with drama scenes in CODEBREAKER
to offer a three dimensional picture of Turing, his accomplishments, his tragic end,
and his lasting legacy. You can watch a two-minute trailer for CODEBREAKER at TuringFilm.com (Story Center Productions, LLC 2015). (Lunch will be served immediately prior to
the film.)
Discussion Moderator: Patrick Sammon, President, Story Center Productions
Resources:
Sponsored by: MTSU College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Dell
Friday, April 6, James Union Building, Tennessee Room
A foundational element of the conference’s initial conception, this panel explores
the “bottom line value” that organizations place on their capacity to create a culture
in which differences are respected and inclusion is strategically leveraged as an
organizational strength. Students preparing to enter the employment pipeline will
have an opportunity to gain insights on how potential employers' policies and practices
address various dimensions of diversity, including gender identity or expression and
sexual orientation. D & I professionals and other leaders in attendance will benefit
from open and honest dialog in building their knowledge and exploring new thought
leadership for the benefit of the work unit and organization.
Moderator: Dr. Patrick McCarthy, J.D., Professor, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Middle Tennessee State University
Panelists:
Forrest Smith, Chief Information Security Officer, Nissan
Ron Balcarras, Senior Manager, Information Technology Services, Deloitte
Judge Rachel Bell, General Sessions Court Judge, Nashville, TN; owner of Solutions Now, Inc. and The
Ring the Bell Foundation
Dr. Dorsha James, Emergency Room Physician, Jennie Stuart, Hopkinsville, KY; co-founder of Campus
Rx; owner of Solutions Now, Inc. and The Ring the Bell Foundation
Tabitha Hawk, Tabitha Hawk Photography
Resources:
Sponsored by: MTSU Department of Psychology and MTSU Institutional Equity and Compliance
Note: The Tracks are Student (S), Student Affairs/Advisor/Faculty (A), and CORPORATE/Workplace (C)
SESSION I – Academic SUCCESS SHOWCASE-THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON LGBTQ RESOURCE CENTER (S, A)
Friday, April 6, James Union Building, Tennessee Room
The staff of the University of Houston LGBTQ Resource Center will present on their
efforts to build an inclusive campus environment. The presentation will focus on the
development of comprehensive campus resources to serve the LGBT+ community.
Presented by: Lorraine Schroeder, M.A., L.P.C., Director, University of Houston LGBTQ Resource Center, Jamie Gonzales, Program Coordinator, University of Houston LGBTQ Resource Center, and Kamah (Asha) Wilson, Graduate Assistant, University of Houston LGBTQ Resource Center
Resources:
Sponsored by: MTSU Vice President's Office for Student Affairs
SESSION II – Workplace Success Showcase-Nissan (C)
Friday, April 6, James Union Building, Faculty Senate Chambers
How can a company build an inclusive environment that reflects it values to employees
and customers? Nissan staff will work with participants to develop concrete interventions
to implement in your workplace.
Presented by: Cathy C. Lively, Senior Analyst Diversity and Inclusion, Nissan
Resources:
Sponsored by: Deloitte
Friday evening - Open Mic Performances
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6:00 PM LGBT+ College Conference Open Mic
Friday, April 6, Keathley University Center, Theatre
Keathley University Center (KUC), 1524 Military Memorial, MTSU campus map coordinates C4
Parking: Jones Lot, MTSU campus map coordinates C3,4
Local comedian Holly Amber will emcee an open mic for conference attendees to showcase
their talents. All types of performance are welcome, including comedy, slam poetry,
and musical performances.
Emcee: Holly Amber
Sponsored by: Focus Middle Tennessee
Saturday, April 7 - Working and Learning Sessions
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8:30 AM – 9:00 AM CONFERENCE REGISTRATION AND CHECK-IN
Saturday, April 7, College of Education Building, Room 160
College of Education Building (COE), 1756 MTSU Boulevard, MTSU campus map coordinates D4
Parking: Student Union Lot, MTSU campus map coordinates E3 (overflow to Greenhouse
Lot, D,E3)
9:00 AM – 9:20 AM WELCOMING ADDRESS
Saturday, April 7, College of Education Building, Room 160
Presented by: Dr. Debra Sells, Vice President Student Affairs, Middle Tennessee State University
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM PLENARY DISCUSSION
Personal Reflections on Bridging the Divide
Saturday, April 7, College of Education Building, Room 160
Panelists will discuss their experiences of divisions within the LGBT+ community based
on aspects of their identity. Panelists will also suggest ways to bridge divides and
build a more cohesive and welcoming community.
Moderator: Dr. William Langston, Professor, Department of Psychology, Middle Tennessee State University
Panelists:
Kayla Gore, Mid-South Peace and Justice Center, OUTMemphis
Additional panelists will be selected from conference attendees who will volunteer
to participate.
10:45 AM – 11:45 AM The "plus" in LGBT+ keynotE
Ask Me Who I Am: Intersex in Contemporary America
Saturday, April 7, College of Education Building, Room 160
In 2006 the American Academy of Pediatrics officially introduced “disorder of sex
development (DSD)” nomenclature as a way to describe intersex traits. DSD terminology
has since come to replace intersex language in virtually all corners of the medical
profession. However, at the same time, DSD terminology has been hotly contested by
the intersex community, with some in support of it, others adamantly against it, and
a few who are indifferent to the new nomenclature. Relying on 65 in-depth interviews
with medical experts on intersex, intersex people, and their parents, I will explain
the problem with DSD terminology and why it is necessary to respect people’s terminological
preferences before imposing potentially offensive language onto their bodies and identities.
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will a) understand that there
is new terminology in the intersex community, b) learn that the new DSD terminology
is contested, and c) understand the importance of respecting people’s terminological
preferences. Suggestions for how to be a good ally will be provided.
Presented by: Georgiann Davis, Assistant Professor, Sociology, University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Introduction by: Sis St. Clair (alumnus)
Resources:
Sponsored by: MTSU Department of Sociology and Anthropology, the MTSU Distinguished Lectures Fund,
MTSU College of Behavioral and Health Sciences
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM LUNCH Break/Community and religious organizations fair
Saturday, April 7, College of Education Building, Lobby
Lunch will be provided to allow conference attendees to network and interact with
community organizations and groups participating in the religious organizations fair.
1:45 PM – 3:15 PM STRATEGY SESSION
Connecting Human Resources to Campus Diversity
Saturday, April 7, College of Education Building, Room 160
The strategy session is designed to share perspectives on the divide between human
resource professionals with goals to increase diversity and the students they aim
to recruit. Discussion leaders from the three constituencies (university/academic,
corporate, and student) will present on their challenges in bridging the divide, potential
solutions will be proposed, and audience members will participate in a discussion
to implement proposed solutions. Results will be presented at future conferences.
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Discussion Leader(s)
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Background
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University/
Academic
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Paula Mansfield, Director of Corporate Engagement and Strategic Partnerships, Middle Tennessee State
University
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Colleges and universities have a goal to "create meaningful, valuable and sustainable
partnerships" in part to improve students' educational experience, but also to improve
their ability to begin a career in their chosen field upon graduation and to be successful
in that career. Collaborating with students and corporate partners to evaluate and
develop processes to achieve that goal should improve outcomes for all stakeholders.
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Corporate/
Workplace
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Bethany Mason, Director, Diversity & Inclusion, Dollar General Corporation
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Building a culture that respects the dignity and differences in others is driving
our success. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is supported through our actions,
decisions, and initiatives. At Dollar General, our mission of Serving Others includes everyone!
We are adding new stores every week, meaning more jobs and more opportunities for
you to shine. As a Training Top 10 Company, we believe our people are our greatest
strength. Whether Dollar General is your first job or the next step in your career,
joining Dollar General is just the beginning of growth opportunities.
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Student
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Resources:
http://www.mtsu.edu/mtlambda/
Sponsored by: Dollar General Corporation
Note: The Tracks are Student (S), Student Affairs/Advisor/Faculty (A), and CORPORATE/Workplace (C)
Saturday, April 7, College of Education Building, room 149
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Topic
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Presenter
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Resources
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The Importance of Interviewing Well
Join us for an interactive session in which you will learn high impact strategies
for expressing your accomplishments both orally and in writing. Dr. McCormick will
share helpful tips and advice regarding key communication aspects of interview preparation,
participation and follow-up including: networking, company research, resumes, cover
letters, salary negotiation, and more!! Participants will have the opportunity to
gain support and direction from a well-established career guidance specialist and
peers in showcasing their skills and experiences in order to pursue career goals with
greater confidence.
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Dr. Janet K. McCormick, Associate Professor, Department of Communication Studies, Middle Tennessee State
University
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Building an All Inclusive LGBT+ Student Organization or Employee Resource Group
How can you build an organization that reflects the diversity of the LGBT+ community?
How can you program events to engage members and maintain membership? Student and
workplace leaders will discuss ways to build and maintain an all inclusive LGBT+ group.
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Elizabeth Burns, President, MT Lambda, Middle Tennessee State University
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Saturday, April 7, College of Education Building, room 160
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Addressing the Problem of Student Hunger
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Keith Barnes, Director of Nutrition Advocacy, Tennessee Justice Center
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Helping Transgender Students Get Their Documents in Order
Learn about the laws and policies for the major documents that transgender people
must address to get through school and enter the workforce, including ways to update
them.
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Dr. Marisa Richmond, Department of History, Middle Tennessee State University
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Resources for Addressing Domestic Violence Affecting Students
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Trish Davis (alumnus), Special Projects Manager, Nashville-Davidson County’s Office of Family
Safety
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| Topic | Presenter | Resources |
4:45 PM – 5:00 PM CONFERENCE CLOSING and ACTION PLAN REVIEW
Saturday, April 7, College of Education Building, room 160
Participants will "report out" key learnings from the conference, complete conference evaluations, and make recommendations for next year's agenda.Led by: Joshua Rigsby (alumnus), Middle Tennessee State University LGBT+ Program Assistant
Saturday evening - LGBT+ College Conference Awards Dinner
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7:00 PM LGBT+ COLLEGE CONFERENCE AWARDS DINNER
Saturday, April 7, James Union Building, Tennessee Room
James Union Building (JUB), 516 Alma Mater Drive, MTSU campus map coordinates B4
Parking: Along Old Main Circle, MTSU campus map coordinates B4 (overflow to KOM Lot,
B3)
Join us in a celebration of the conference attendees and presenters, and help us recognize
the remarkable achievements of our nominees and award winners.
Hosts:
Barbara Scales, Director, June Anderson Center for Women and Nontraditional Students, Middle Tennessee
State University
Orlando Andrews, Admissions Counselor, Journey Pure Treatment Centers
KEYNOTE ADDRESS:
Beverly Watts
| Nashville native Beverly L. Watts was appointed the Executive Director of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission in July 2007. She has more than 30 years of experience in civil rights enforcement and education in the public and private sector. Beverly is the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the being a 2016 YWCA Nashville Athena Nominee, the ECHO 2014 Dreamers Award, the 2014 Frances Dancy Hooks Award, the YWCA 2014 Carrie Hull Award, the City of Louisville Martin Luther King award, and the 2005 induction into the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame. She is a graduate of Tennessee State University, Southern Illinois University, and has completed Executive leadership programs at Duke University and the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government. |  |
Lambda hosts weekly meetings and membership is open to all currently enrolled MTSU students who act in good faith of Lambda's Constitution and Community Standards. Membership dues are announced at the beginning of each academic year and can be paid at any time.
