By Nora Tidey, News Editor
Gettysburg College has very recently welcomed an important addition to the campus community. Tiffany Lane will be taking over as the director of LGBTQ Advocacy & Education at The Center, located on the first floor of Apple Hall. The Center is committed to creating an inclusive campus community where all students feel welcome and empowered to succeed, regardless of sexuality, gender identity, or gender expression. The Center seeks to improve campus climate through social and educational programming and ongoing dialogue. Some of the numerous resources for students in the LGBTQA community offered by The Center include: Q&A, which holds meetings and events dedicated to the acceptance and advancement for gender, sexual, and romantic minorities, Friend or F.O.E., a student group focused on providing a social and supportive atmosphere for LGBTQA students who want to spend time with like-minded peers, QHouse, a college house committed to raising awareness about queer issues and queer culture, and so much more. Students can also take part in annual drag shows, student panels, guest lectures, and SafeZone training. Tiffany says that all of the resources Gettysburg already offers got her excited to work here and continue to sustain and expand the support for the LGBTQA student community. As director of LGBTQA Advocacy and Education, Tiffany will offer advocacy and one-on-one support for students who may be struggling to come to terms with their identities, and also for students who want to learn more about how to support the LGBTQA community. The Center also provides a Queer Mentorship Program in which LGBTQA-identified underclassmen pair with LGBTQA-identified upperclassmen to have a peer mentorship relationship.
Tiffany says she is proud to serve as a role model for students, and that nothing makes her happier than seeing students develop into leaders and professionals. She wants the student body here to know that she is working hard to make sure everyone feels welcome at Gettysburg, to help educate the campus community and to support and advocate for students. If anyone wants to reach Tiffany, she can be found in her office across from The Center in Apple Hall. She has an open-door policy and says she will always make time for students. Tiffany has only been on the job for a little over three weeks, so be sure to welcome her to Gettysburg! She can be reached at tlane@gettysburg.edu or by contacting/visiting The Center.
Gettysburg’s LGBTQA community has a bright future with Tiffany, who says, “When people look for LGBTQA-friendly private liberal arts colleges, I would like Gettysburg to be the leading example.”
