LGBTQ+ Students Thrive in the Classroom and Beyond
As the flagship campus of Massachusetts, UMass Amherst has a rich history when it comes to the rights of the LGBTQ+ community on campus. Ours was one of the first higher education institutions to establish a center for LGBTQ+ students, known today as the Stonewall Center, and the first in the nation to open a residence community for LGBTQ+ students. Over the years, dozens of LGBTQ+ students groups have organized, offering students countless opportunities to get involved and meet others in ways that speak to their interests and passions. Students are supported in using their chosen names and pronouns on class rosters and campus IDs.
At UMass, we're proud that our campus is consistently ranked one of the "best of the best" higher education institutions for LGBTQ+ students.
A University Where Belonging Matters
This is due in no small part to the work of faculty and staff to cultivate belonging for all students in academic and social settings. Across campus, faculty strive to instill in their classrooms the UMass values of diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. Many faculty who identify as LGBTQ+ bring the wisdom of their own lived experiences into learning spaces, and imbue their teaching, syllabi, and mentorship with this knowledge. This representation in classrooms encourages LGBTQ+ students—and non-LGBTQ+ students—to be their full and authentic selves, allowing them to confidently thrive both academically and personally.
LGBTQ+ Acceptance in the Classroom
We interviewed LGBTQ+ faculty about their experiences in academia and how they work to foster a culture of belonging, acceptance, and affirmation through teaching and student support. Watch their stories to learn how a passion for inclusivity improves the student experience for everyone.
Shelly Peyton
"There is an incredible amount of growing research that shows that diverse groups do better research." Inclusive chemistry gets results! Ask Shelly Peyton, provost professor of chemical engineering. Her strategy of creating diverse teams yields research results that change the world.
Jessica Dillard-Wright
"Who I am, as a queer person and a genderqueer person, is part of making this space welcoming for folks." Jessica Dillard-Wright, assistant professor of nursing, is unafraid to make her classroom inclusive. She strives to make healthcare equitable and to support her students by modeling confidence.
Chase Cornelison
"I wasn't as energetic or as interested in what I was doing because I was walling off a part of myself." Chase Cornelison, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, struggled with his work before he decided to live openly. Now, his example inspires others in his field and beyond.
Lee Badgett
"I think we're good at saying you can't make assumptions. In economics, that is a radical statement!" UMass economics professor Lee Badgett has made her mark on the field, not just with her groundbreaking analysis and informed insight, but by championing LGBTQ inclusion.
Michael Ramsey-Musolf
"The scientific enterprise advances best when people who are most on fire and have the talent to do the science are embraced...Science wins by our being as open and inclusive as possible." When physicist Michael Ramsey-Musolf came out of the closet as a grad student, he had no role models. Now, as a professor at UMass Amherst, he strives to be the role model his students need.
Anna Marie LaChance
"You're worth more than your grades. You are valuable. You are worthy." Anna Marie LaChance is a chemical engineering lecturer who believes that science students deserve equity and mental health. Since arriving at UMass Amherst in 2022, Dr. LaChance has prioritized affirmation, support, inclusion - and, of course, plenty of tea.
John Bickford
"The question gets asked, what are LGBTQ people bringing to campus? And my answer is they're bringing their humanity." John Bickford, UMass Amherst lecturer in psychology, has long been a pioneer of LGBTQ education at UMass Amherst. He's been a guide, mentor, and teacher to generations of young queer people who come to the university to find each other and themselves.
Sarah Perry
"People are going to be their most creative when they're comfortable." Chemistry benefits from inclusion, says assistant professor of chemical engineering Sarah Perry. By fostering an open environment, she nurtures ideas and innovation that benefit advancements in her field.