TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — One of the nation’s leading researchers of social justice issues in higher education will be the featured speaker and panelist for a discussion about campus climate’s influence on queer-spectrum and trans-spectrum people.
Dr. Susan R. Rankin, research associate in the Center for the Study of Higher Education and associate professor of education in the College Student Affairs Program at Pennsylvania State University, will deliver her lecture, “Stormy Weather: The Influence of Campus Climate on Building Inclusive Communities” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26 in Lloyd Hall, room 222.
The event is free and open to the public.
Rankin, who spent 17 years as head softball coach at Penn State, has presented and published widely on the impact of sexism, racism and heterosexism in the academy and in intercollegiate athletics. Rankin’s current research focuses on the assessment of institutional climate and providing program planners and policy makers with recommended strategies to improve the campus climate for underserved communities.
Rankin has collaborated with more than 70 institutions/organizations in implementing assessments and developing strategic plans regarding social justice issues.
Rankin is a founding member of the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals, a network of professionals doing advocacy work for LGBT people on college campuses and the Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition, a network of individuals and organizations across the Commonwealth committed to securing and defending full civil rights for LGBT individuals.
Rankin’s campus talk is hosted by the UA College of Education’s department of educational leadership, policy, and technology studies and its Education Policy Center.
Contact
David Miller, media relations, 205/348-0825, dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu
Source
Dr. Rebecca Ballard, coordinator of college and alumni relations, College of Education, 205/348-7936, rebecca.ballard@ua.edu