Blog - LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education

Give Out Day, June 5, 2025

By Jim Berg / May 30, 2025

Give Out Day 2025 is June 5, but we’re asking early so we can get a jump on the LGBTQ giving season.

Here’s a message from Joe Bertolino, President of Stockton University, and President-Elect of the LGBTQ Leaders Board.

We need $7,500 to replace some of what we expect to lose in institutional memberships in 2025. Please give $500 to help us reach our goal of $7,500. That will replace the loss of 3 large institutional memberships.

If that amount is too much for you, please know that gifts of any amount will help. In fact, we have identified $4,000 in matching funds. So for every dollar you give, a generous donor will match that money, doubling your impact.

Around the country, LGBTQ leaders need support, mentoring, and professional development. Often they can only find away from their home institutions. Together, we can support our colleagues and strengthen higher education leadership around the country.

Please click here or on the DONATE button above to give today.

Higher Education Stands Up

By Jim Berg / April 22, 2025

The LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education supports the AAC&U Call for Constructive Engagement. We must do everything in our power to reject the current administration’s illegal overreach into college and university affairs, from the targeting of DEI programs and the withholding of approved research funds, to the specific erasure of trans people. Many of our member presidents have signed. We urge college and university leaders to add their names.

Virtual Mentoring Circles

By Jim Berg / April 21, 2025

In case you missed it

Kristin Esterberg, Board President; Jim Berg, Executive Director; and Kirby Knipp, Program Coordinator hosted an information webinar on April 18, 2025 about the program and how to apply. You may watch the video here.

For more information on the program, see our mentoring page.

Board President Featured

By Jim Berg / April 9, 2025

“You Belong in Higher Education” — University of Washington Bothell Chancellor Dr. Kristin Esterberg. See the whole story at Matthew’s Place here.

Leadership Matters

By Jim Berg / March 14, 2025

This week we kicked off our Spring membership drive. Our message is that queer leadership in higher education matters more than ever.

We are the only national organization dedicated to developing LGBTQ+ leadership in higher education. The new administration is doing its best to sow chaos in higher education and in the LGBTQ+ community. But we will not be erased.

That was our message. It’s not unusual to get a few unsubscribe requests when you send out a thousand emails. We all do it. Sometimes there’s a reason listed, such as “this information is no longer relevant for me.” This week, we got the two statements below. The first refers to an lgbtq student group at Iowa State University (bad grammar in the original). The second is from an individual working in higher education in Texas.

Our message continued…

We will continue to serve our mission, doubling down on our commitment to promoting and elevating queer leaders. For us, that is the best way to push back against the forces arrayed against us. And we need individual members now more than ever to achieve our goals. As a member, you will have access to free or low-cost programs, discounts on fees for the Leadership Institute and our new mentoring program, and the opportunity to qualify for fellowships. Join today.

Watch for announcements of new and expanded programming. Take a look at our new RESOURCES page. Your membership matters.

Our Virtual Town Hall

By Jim Berg / February 10, 2025

On January 16, 2025, LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education held a Virtual Town Hall for members to discuss concerns about changes that are coming from the new administration in Washington, DC. Since then, we have seen swift actions at the federal level that validate those concerns.

Read about what we heard at the Town Hall https://conta.cc/4gIGPFu

Membership Elects New Board Members and Officers, Approves Strategic Plan

By Jim Berg / October 23, 2024

The Annual Meeting of the LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education was held in Bothell, Washington, on October 16, 2024 at 3:15 pm. Members voted on a slate of candidates for positions on the Board of Directors and approved the 2025-27 Strategic Plan.

The Governance and Nominations Committee forwarded a slate of candidates for open board seats. The following were elected on a voice vote:

Joe Bertolino, President, Stockton University (NJ)
Merrill Irving, Jr., Senior Executive of Advisory Services, Ferrilli
Gillian McKnight-Tutein, Chief Educational Equity Officer at the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE)
Manny Velasquez-Paredes, Director of Career Education at the University of North Florida

Bertolino was also elected to serve as President-Elect for the 2024-25 term. Board treasurer, Dick Senese, and Board Secretary, Daniel Lopez, were re-elected to those positions. Kristin Esterberg assumed the position of President for the 2024-25 year, and Richard Helldobler assumed the position of Past-President; they will each serve in those roles until the 2025 Annual Meeting.

LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education advances effective leadership in post-secondary education, supports professional development of LGBTQ leaders, and provides education and advocacy regarding LGBTQ issues within the global academy and for the public at large.

2024 Board Elections

By Jim Berg / September 16, 2024

The Annual Meeting of the LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education will take place on October 16, 3:15 pm at the Leadership Institute. Members will have the opportunity to vote on a strategic plan, recently endorsed by the Board of Directors. The draft strategic plan, which will guide the organization through 2027, is available below. We will have a free virtual discussion on Zoom for feedback and questions on September 30 at 2 pm Eastern, 11 am Pacific. See more information and register here.

Members will also be asked to ratify a slate of candidates for Board membership that includes Joe Bertolino, President of Stockton University; Manny Velasquez, Director, Career Education at University of North Florida; and Gillian McKnight-Tutein, Chief Educational Equity Officer for the Colorado Department of Higher Education.

With over 30 years in higher education, Joe Bertolino has led initiatives that expand LGBTQ+ support and promote social justice. As President at Stockton University and other institutions, his leadership reflects a deep commitment to equity, fostering inclusive campus environments. Nationally recognized for his work, he has spoken across the country on LGBTQ+ rights, emphasizing dignity, kindness, respect, compassion, and civility.

Gillian McKnight-Tutein says “being accepted to the Board would mean a profound opportunity to advocate for inclusive policies, support other LGBTQ+ leaders and impact educational environments in additionally meaningful ways.”

Manuel Velasquez-Paredes says, “I am honored to be considered to join the Board of LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education, and I bring a deep commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion and equity within our academic communities. My work in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has focused on creating spaces where all voices are heard, and I am passionate about championing the needs of LGBTQ+ youth, faculty, and staff. I look forward to collaborating with fellow leaders to foster environments where everyone can thrive, both personally and professionally.”

Voter Education Webinar

By Jim Berg / August 29, 2024

LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education has joined a coalition of nonpartisan LGBTQ+ organizations to shape discussions on public policy, fight for equality and advance LGBTQ+ rights through voting. Recently, we offered a webinar to help LGBTQ+ college and university students learn about election issues and voting rights. If you missed the live session, you can see the recording here. Passcode: Fgt@Pq3G.

Learn about how you can get involved in the election this year through a nonpartisan civic engagement program focused on voter registration entitled Pride to the Polls. The 2024 election is pivotal for LGBTQ+ rights. Our initiative focuses on voter registration and turnout, crucial for a vibrant democracy that represents LGBTQ+ interests. Participants in our pledge to vote are guided through essential steps: checking voter registration status, registering for mail-in or absentee ballots, accessing voting resources, engaging friends and family in the voting process, and voting between early voting and Election Day. Pride to the Polls is powered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

Learn more at PridetothePolls.com.