2024 LGBT Plus College Conference Cover Art

2024 LGBT Plus College Conference

The 2024 LGBT Plus College Conference will be held on Middle Tennessee State University's campus April 4-6, 2024. There will be an option to attend virtually. The conference is free to attend for everyone. Please register to help in planning. All posted times are for the central time zone.

Conference Theme – All Identities–Standing Strong

The conference is focused on helping participants to be more effective advocates for themselves and their communities, and to help them leverage the power that comes from standing strong.

Academic Administrators, Advisors, Faculty, and Student Affairs Staff

How can academic administrators, advisors, faculty, and student affairs staff improve belonging, engagement, retention, progression to degree, and graduation likelihood for LGBTQ+ students?

The LGBT Plus College Conference is packed with ideas and strategies to leverage our presenters' expertise into student success.
 

LGBTQ+ students are at a greater risk of experiencing difficulties than their non-LGBTQ+ peers

  • "...it is within the higher education context that many students begin to explore and/or disclose their sexual identities, positioning college and university environments with potentially high levels of influence on this process" (Dugan & Yurman, 2011, p. 201).
  • "Reviews of published campus climate studies for GLBT students universally indicate that these students experience discrimination, harassment, and fear and that the campus climate for them is chilly at best" (Brown, Clarke, Gortmaker, & Robinson-Keilig, 2004, p. 8).
  • "Taken together, this information suggests that LGBTQ students may face a great deal of adversity from the campus climate. Best practices information shows that campuses can change their policies, procedures, and facilities to be more inclusive" (Tetreault, Fette, Meidlinger, & Hope, 2013, p. 950).

How can you improve your campus climate for LGBTQ+ students?

The LGBT Plus College Conference offers opportunities to explore these issues with experts and thought-leaders from academia and beyond. Learn about the latest research and develop concrete interventions to implement on your campus.
 

Benefits for academic administrators, advisors, faculty, and student affairs staff:

  • Get information about challenges faced by LGBTQ+ students and concrete strategies to address those challenges.
  • Enjoy an opportunity to socialize with students and your peers at the conference.
  • Registration for the LGBT Plus College Conference is free, and you are encouraged to attend all events. We want your input and participation!

Human Resource Professionals and Corporate/Workplace Leaders

How can human resource professionals and corporate/workplace leaders improve recruitment, retention, and productivity of LGBTQ+ employees?

The LGBT Plus College Conference is packed with ideas and strategies to leverage our presenters' expertise into employee success.
 

LGBTQ+ employees are at a greater risk of experiencing difficulties in the workplace that affect the bottom line

  • "For the estimated 8.8 million lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) adults living in the United States (Ramos, Badgett, & Sears, 2008), the concept of spending 25% of a year at work believing they lack the safety to self-identify as LGBT because of fear of losing employment can cause psychological stress, diminished physical health, and reduced work performance (Chun, 2011)" (Hollis & McCalla, 2013).
  • "A growing body of research demonstrates that not only does this discrimination [against LGBT+ people in the workplace] lead to negative outcomes for the gay and lesbian employees, such as lower levels of job satisfaction and psychological well-being (Griffith & Hebl, 2002), but it also has negative impacts on organizations' financial performance (Johnston & Malina, 2008; Wang & Schwarz, 2010)."

How can you improve your workplace climate for LGBTQ+ employees?

The LGBT Plus College Conference offers opportunities to explore issues with experts and thought-leaders from academia and beyond. Learn about the latest research and develop concrete interventions to implement in your workplace. By interfacing with students, common issues can be addressed, and the transition to the workplace can be made as smooth as possible.
 

Benefits for human resource professionals and corporate/workplace leaders:

  • Get information about challenges faced by LGBTQ+ employees and concrete strategies to address those challenges.
  • Interact with your peers to share information and strategies.
  • Influence the next generation of workforce and workplace leaders through interaction and informal mentoring.
  • Communicate your values and commitment to diversity to your employees and your market.
  • Registration at the LGBT Plus College Conference is free, and you are encouraged to attend all events. We want your input and participation! (Corporate participants are encouraged to request support for the conference from their organization to keep the conference free for all students.)

Register Now! (Free)Support the Conference

Conference Highlights

 
Thursday, April 4, 2024: Research and Examination
Education Spotlight: “Queers Read This!”: Contemporary AIDS Literature
Presented by: Dr. Eric Hughes (he/they)
Cosponsored by: MTSU College of Liberal Arts
 
Math and Science Education Ph.D. Seminar: Empowering LGBTQ Youth Through Science Education
Presented by: Dr. Gary Wright (he/him)
Cosponsored by: MTSU College of Basic and Applied Sciences
 
Thursday Evening
LGBT Plus College Conference Film Festival
Host: Allie Sultan (she/her)
 
Friday, April 5, 2024: Intersections of Identity with the Broader Community
Keynote Film Presentation/Panel Discussion: Mama Bears
Cosponsored by: MTSU College of Media and Entertainment
 
Friday evening
LGBT Plus College Conference Game Night
Host: William Langston (he/him)
 
Saturday, April 6, 2024: Working and Learning Sessions
Community Keynote: My Beautiful Black Hair: 101 Natural Hair Stories from the Sisterhood
Presented by: St. Clair Detrick-Jules (she/her)
Sponsored by: MTSU Distinguished Lecture Fund
 
Saturday evening
LGBT Plus College Conference Awards Dinner
Hosts: Kayla Gore (she/her) and Justin Reed (he/him)
Music: Heather Mae (she/her)
Keynote: Michelle Conceison (she/her)
 
 

Register Now! (Free)

LGBT Plus College Conference Full Schedule LGBT Plus College Conference Details

Mission Statement

Our mission is to:
  • Speak to issues of diversity and inclusion of importance to academia, the workplace, marketplace, and community
  • Provide the leadership expected of higher education to investigate issues from a research, knowledge, and thought perspective and provide answers to the community’s critical questions
  • Produce a well-planned and executed event
LGBT Plus College Conference History

Conference Contacts

Program Presentation and Participation
Professor William Langston (he/him; William.Langston@mtsu.edu)
 
Sponsorships and Support
Development Director John Roberson (he/him; John.Roberson@mtsu.edu)
 
Corporate and Community Engagement

Advisory Board Chair Justin Reed (he/him; Justin.Reed@mtsu.edu)


Presenting Sponsors

 
Nissan Group of the Americas

 

 

MTSU Student Activity Fee Committee

STUDENT ACTIVITY FEE COMMITTEE

 

Conference Champions

 
MTSU Institutional Equity and Compliance

INSTITUTIONAL EQUITY AND COMPLIANCE

 

Conference Allies

Tennessee Valley Authority

TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY

 

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee

 
MTSU Vice President for Student Affairs

 VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS

 

MTSU Distinguished Lecture Fund

 DISTINGUISHED LECTURE FUND

 

Neighborhood Sponsors

 

Connect

 
Tennessee Pride Chamber
 
MTSU College of Behavioral and Health Sciences

 COLLEGE OF BEHAVIORAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES

 

MTSU College of Liberal Arts

 COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

 

MTSU College of Media and Entertainment

 COLLEGE OF MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT

 

MTSU College of Basic and Applied Sciences

 COLLEGE OF BASIC AND APPLIED SCIENCES

 

MTSU James E. Walker Library

 JAMES E. WALKER LIBRARY

 

inclusion tennessee

 

Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi

 

Tennnessee Human Rights Commission

 TENNESSEE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

 

Additional Support Provided

Middle Tennessee State University Department of Psychology
Middle Tennessee State University Intercultural and Diversity Affairs Center
Middle Tennessee State University Center for Fairness, Justice, and Equity
Middle Tennessee State University President's Commission on the Status of Women

 LGBT+ College Conference Logo

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.