Consultant presentation to focus on campus climate for gender and sexual minorities

Sue Rankin, associate professor in education policy studies and research associate in the Center for the Study of Higher Education at Penn State University, will give a one-hour talk and presentation titled "Creating an Inclusive Campus Climate for LGBTQ Students, Staff, and Faculty" at 1:15 p.m. today (May 4) in Room 310, Stewart Center.

There will be a short question-and-answer session following Rankin’s presentation. The talk is free and open to the public.

Rankin has worked closely with students, staff, faculty, and administrators on dozens of college campuses to assess campus climate and to create strategic actions for equity and community.

Rankin's presentation is in conjunction with a daylong visit to the West Lafayette campus. During her visit she will meet with students, staff, faculty, and administrators to discuss strategic initiatives aimed at improving campus climate for gender and sexual minorities. Rankin's visit is sponsored by the Diversity Resource Office and the Office of the Provost.

After receiving a bachelor's degree from the Montclair State Teacher's College in 1978, Rankin earned a master's degree in physiology with a cognate in aging from Penn State in 1981. In 1994 she completed a Ph.D. at Penn State in higher education administration with a cognate in organization theory/social justice in higher education.

In her public scholarship work with higher education institutions and nonprofit organizations, Rankin has conducted organizational assessments, facilitated strategic planning, coordinated intervention strategies, and evaluated outcomes.  She is an invited national speaker on social justice issues in business, nonprofit community organizations, and educational institutions, focusing specifically on issues of race, class, gender, disabilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other underserved communities.

Rankin has authored or co-authored five books on campus climate for gender and sexual minorities:

* Rankin, S., & Reason, R. (2009). Campus Climate Assessment and Planning. Washington, D.C.: ACPA Books and Media.

* Rankin, S., & Beemyn, B. (2008). The Lives of Transgender People. New York, N.Y.: Columbia Press.

* Rankin, S. (2007). Experiences of Gay Men in Fraternities: From 1960 to 2007. Charlotte, N.C.: Lambda 10 Project.

* Rankin, S. (2003). Campus Climate for Sexual Minorities: A National Perspective. New York: N.Y.: National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute.

*  Sanlo, R., Rankin, S., & Shoenberg, R. (2002). Our Place on Campus: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Services and Programs in Higher Education. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Publishing Company.

In 2008, Rankin received the Voices of Inclusion Medallion from the American College Personnel Association.  The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to making their campus community a welcoming environment for all.

For more information, contact Kelly Leonard at 49-66168 or kleonard@purdue.edu, or Christopher Munt at 49-67675 or cdmunt@purdue.edu

More information on Rankin is available at www.ed.psu.edu/educ/eps/csa/facstaff/Sue_Rankin