LGBTQ Presidents in Higher Education is proud to announce the election of two officers for 2021–2024 terms. We also are seeking nominations for at least one, and possibly three at-large member positions, pending a bylaws revision proposed for June 2021.
Dr. Richard J. Helldobler, president of William Paterson University of Wayne, New Jersey, has been elected by the board as co-chair of our organization. President Helldobler joins our recently re-elected co-chair, Dr. Erika A. Endrijonas, president and superintendent of Pasadena City College, California, to lead LGBTQ Presidents in Higher Education. “I am honored that my colleagues have elected me to this important role, and I am excited to help lead this dynamic organization forward,” says President Helldobler. “LGBTQ Presidents in Higher Education has provided me with great professional development opportunities and, just as importantly, good fellowship. I look forward to working with everyone to further advance LGBTQ issues in the academy through its continued growth and expanded reach.” Rich had served as a member at large for the organization since 2018 and generously offered William Paterson University as a host for our first online Leadership Institute—on June 18th–19th, 2021. For more on Rich’s background, see his presidential page.
At our annual Members Meeting on January 15, 2021, we also elected Richard (Dick) Senese, PhD, LP, president of Capella University, as treasurer. “I am honored to serve among my peers to support our important advocacy mission. As a proud member of the LGBTQ community and the leader of a preeminent online higher education institution for working adults, I know more can—and must—be done to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in all fields—but especially in the post-secondary education space. I look forward to lending my voice and expertise to move the needle.”. For more on President Senese, see a brief bio here.
LGBTQ Presidents in Higher Education’s bylaws currently call for three members at large. Two members at large are continuing—Rusty Barceló, retired president of Northern New Mexico College and Charlita Shelton, who held several presidencies before her recent appointment as special consultant to the president of Gonzaga University. Now that Rich is co-chair, we definitely have one opening for a member at large. In addition, the board will consider introducing a bylaws revision to membership at our June 17, 2021, Membership Meeting, to change the board membership from “three members at large” to “three-to-five members at large,” expanding opportunities for additional participation. Further, the board will introduce a bylaws revision that names the executive director as an ex officio, non-voting member of the board of directors.
The board has received several expressions of interest and nominations for member at large. If you would like to nominate anyone or volunteer to run, then please send an e-mail to info@lgbtqpresidents.org.