Out and Authentic:
Leading with Pride in Precarious Times
October 14-16, 2025
Thank you all who attended!
Full Schedule (click here)
Note: we are unable to offer the Virtual Edition of the Leadership Institute at this time. We look forward to seeing you in person or at one of our other virtual offerings.
The 2025 Leadership Institute invites LGBTQ+ leaders to gather in community, grounded in purpose and mutual support. This year, we center collective care, trans and gender expansive leadership, and intersectional learning as vital pathways for sustaining ourselves and one another. In a time of political uncertainty and cultural change, we lean into connection — building bridges, nurturing resilience, and cultivating spaces where LGBTQ+ leadership can thrive with authenticity and intention.
Regular on-site full registration continues until September 29. Registrations received after September 29 will incur additional charges.
Hosted by the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, Jeffrey Morin, President
We are using Whova as our conference app. Download it today.
Program sessions focus on:
- Professional + Leadership Development
- Career Development
- Wellness
- Campus Issues
- Mentoring
Pre-conference workshops, 2-5 pm
Pre-conference A: The Inclusive Campus Blueprint: Practical Tools for Gender Equity and Belonging
This workshop will focus on how administrators, staff, and faculty can use a practical set of tools and standards to advance gender inclusion, equity, and belonging. There is a consistent need to identify and address barriers that prevent full participation and engagement in all aspects of the higher education experience for gender expansive students—from gender-inclusive spaces, to admissions and recruitment, to staff and faculty hiring and retention practices, to culturally responsive teaching and learning pedagogies, and beyond. Facilitators: Dr. Julia MaKinster, Vice Provost for Assessment, Accreditation and Institutional Effectiveness, Hobart and William Smith Colleges and Dr. Luca E. Lewis, Vice President of Student Affairs, Ventura County Community College. ($70)
Pre-conference B: Forging a Balanced and Harmonious Career
As out and proud LGBTQ leaders, we are always striving to lead authentic and fulfilling professional lives. This workshop presents a mindfulness framework from yoga—the chakra system—that can help us lay solid foundations by attending to several interrelated dimensions: balance; growing our voice; clarifying our vision; and committing to our purpose. This interactive workshop is based on the forthcoming book “The Faculty Guide to a Balanced and Harmonious Career: Yogic Strategies for Self-Growth and Fulfillment.” The workshop will include theory and research-based strategies, as well as moments of engagement, networking, and reflection. Facilitator: Dr. Michele DiPietro, Executive Director for Faculty Development, Recognition, and the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, and a Professor in the School of Data Science and Analytics at Kennesaw State University. ($70)
5:30 pm, Welcome reception for early arrivals, MIAD Union
8:00: Welcome for First Time Attendees, Allies, Fellows & Mentors
9:30 – 5:00 sessions
Keynote Address:
How the University of Victoria became a World Leader in Transgender Studies
Aaron Devor, Chair in Transgender Studies at the University of Victoria
It takes a vision, a dedicated leader, strong relationships, teamwork, luck, and money to build something that’s never been done before. The University of Victoria has become a world leader in Transgender Studies due to all of the above. We are home to the world’s only research Chair in Transgender Studies, the world’s largest Transgender Archives, and the unique international, interdisciplinary, and intergenerational Moving Trans History Forward conferences. Come learn about what we do and how we made it all happen.
Dinner Program
Queer Designs and Cold War Homophobia: Lessons from the Life of Bruce Goff
Carol Mason, Otis A. Singletary Endowed Chair in the Humanities, University Research Professor, Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies, and Professor of English, University of Kentucky
As anticommunism migrated from the coasts to middle America in the 1950s, gay people were entrapped and prosecuted as part of a sweeping Lavender Scare. How were neighbors and colleagues taught to suspect queers who had been ensconced in communities they literally built? Carol Mason discusses the rustic glam of iconoclastic architect Bruce Goff and applies lessons from the state repression that he faced as queer faculty.
9:30– 4:00 Concurrent sessions, lunch, closing plenary, mentoring sessions
Closing Plenary
DeRionne Pollard, President, Nevada State University, and incoming President of the American Association of Community Colleges
4:15 Board of Directors meeting.
There is no dress code for this event, however, Thursday is Spirit Day. Attendees are encouraged to wear something that represents their institution (shirt, hat, etc). A group photo will be taken.
All participants must review and agree to our Code of Conduct.
Programming and lodging at the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee
333 W Kilbourn Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203
A block of rooms is on reserve until September 15, 2025. Reserve online here, or call 414-270-6074. Our group code: G-LEAD.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin | learn more about the “Cream City” | Extend your stay, see what’s on in Milwaukee in October.
Hyatt Regency Downtown Milwaukee is on Kilbourn Avenue (left), about a 20 minute walk along the Riverwalk to MIAD (center)