When Jimmy Luckman prepared to embark on his college journey at SUNY Brockport, he desperately sought a meaningful connection with the campus community, opting from the get-go to become involved with a multitude of activities.

“I wanted to be a part of that process to welcome students into the college experience,� Luckman says.

Today, as associate director of the University’s (FYS) in the , Luckman helps provide a warm, welcoming and engaging atmosphere for the thousands of who arrive at the University each year.

His professional career and accompanying research studies the emerging field of orientation, transition and retention, which aims to examine why some college students excel and engage with their campus community while others feel disconnected once they arrive on campus.

“Every day I get to bring in the things that I’m passionate about, what I learned in the classroom, and figure out how we can continue to enhance the student experience and help students figure out their identities. That’s important because I didn’t really find out who I was and discover all the elements of my identity until graduate school. I’m still learning who I am,� says Luckman, a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ issues who identifies as a queer man.

Recently, Luckman completed a doctoral degree from St. John Fisher University in executive leadership and successfully defended his dissertation, “More than Just a Sticker of LGBTQ+ Inclusivity: Exploring College and University-Based LGBTQ+ Center Director’s Process and Perceptions of LGBTQ+ Campus Climate Assessments.�

Among the goals of his research: collecting and leveraging the stories of LGBTQ+ students at various universities to both ensure their experiences are being heard and to create meaningful changes and to explore what universities are doing to connect students with local LGBTQ+ community resources.

“By being outspoken and an advocate in public spaces, hopefully, I can inspire queer scholars, queer community members and allies in our community to make a difference. We have an obligation to inspire queer youth and we must support those who want to support the LGBTQ+ community, and that starts with setting an example. I’m grateful for these opportunities,� says Luckman, entering his fourth-year teaching FYS.

Luckman sat down with SU News to discuss how he uses his lived experiences to enhance his FYS teachings, how he hopes to use his dissertation research to make a difference and effect change and why you can find him wearing his trademark bow tie in class and around campus.

How does First Year Seminar enhance the development of our students?

I tell my students that my classroom is a space for them to actively make a difference on campus. FYS helps students with their transition to the University.

Another thing I love is making students a little uncomfortable. When we think about the transition to college, we think about how to make a comfortable and inclusive environment, and I recognize that. But when I talk to my students about my LGBTQ+ identity, specifically my queer identity, I automatically tell my students on the first day that, based on the way I sound, you’re potentially going to assume certain things about me. This doesn’t make you a bad person if you did. That’s part of FYS, learning about yourself and the opinions we form and learning to get uncomfortable.

Íø±¬ÃÅ is a place to engage in conversations, and for some of our students, they’ve never talked to someone who was so out before. I often share my queer identity and that openness invites students to share the elements of who they are, and potentially to expand what they know about the LGBTQ+ community.

How has your time on campus helped you discover your queer identity?

Some people say coming out, but I say I came into my identity at age 24 because that reflects how I was able to truly embrace who I am. I came into my queer identity in my graduate program [at Northern Arizona University] and Syracuse was the space and the place where I first explored how my identity looks as a working professional and as a role model who engages with and forms friendships and connections in the community.

I started volunteering at the immediately when I came to Syracuse in 2019. The majority of my really close friends are members of the LGBTQ+ community because we have similar interests and that commonality of seeking spaces where we can be authentically queer, which is something that I didn’t get to do when I was younger.

Syracuse has given me an opportunity to learn, reflect and try to find those alliances, resources and people to help propel our community forward. The has been very intentional and inclusive in its efforts to provide counseling and resources to the community. The has invited me to do a on my dissertation. We have a space to celebrate queer work and I know we have people on campus who feel a sense of support through the people and the resources available to them.

How did you decide on your dissertation?

There’s not a lot of literature specifically focusing on LGBTQ+ campus climate assessments to see how we are actually supporting students. I wanted to look at it from a lens of what do colleges and universities say or do to bring in students while offering an inclusive space, collecting data from LGBTQ+ centers and then utilizing that data to share that out from the perspective of these centers. How do we leverage this data to make changes on campus?

For my dissertation, what I really focused on was the importance of storytelling. We have students who share their stories of their experiences on a college campus, and I explored how can we leverage this information and these stories to make sure their voices are being heard and then go about creating change. How can we support LGBTQ+ students and create inclusive environments and affirming spaces that allow our campus community members to feel safe sharing their life experiences.

What’s the significance of the bow ties you frequently wear?

It’s all about having fun. Students are spending their Friday afternoons with me, so why not dress up for them? I’ve lost track of how many bow ties I own. I have different color bow ties. Holiday-themed bow ties. Floral bow ties. Even an SU-themed bow tie! It’s just a fun and different way to engage with my students. For them to see their professor dressed up and excited for class, I’ve noticed that they will open up with me and trust me more than previous students might have. I’m known on campus hopefully for my positive demeanor and for being a queer leader, but the bow ties help me standout and they’re a conversation starter. Plus, it brings me happiness!

The proudly announces its annual celebration of . Alongside International Day of Visibility on Sunday, March 31. The week celebrates and recognizes the resilience, contributions and diversity of transgender people globally.

The History of TWoL and International Day of Visibility

Originating in 2010 from the efforts of Rachel Candall, a leader of Transgender Michigan, was created in response to the overwhelming media coverage regarding transgender people being focused on violence. Candall sought to shift the narrative by empowering transgender people to feel celebrated and live authentically while also highlighting the discrimination faced by the community and keeping in mind not every transgender person wants to be visible.

“The LGBTQ Resource Center shifts the focus from remembrance to liberation as visibility is not enough and embracing trans joy and expression is important to our survival. We hope to encourage and challenge our Íø±¬ÃÅ and global communities to explore how transgender people have contributed to our shared experiences and history, as well as continue to enhance our world and community with our contributions,â€� shares Meegs Longacre, coordinator of the LGBTQ Resource Center. “To celebrate our transgender family, we are excited to have a week of events dedicated to transgender liberation, transcending boundaries and reaching for the stars! We hope to build spaces for transgender students, staff, faculty, for people who are questioning their gender and want to explore that part of themselves, and for others to learn more about our community and how to support us.”

Trans Week of Liberation 2024

Tommy DaSilva ’26 emphasizes the importance of celebrating trans joy and expression, “Expectation based on gender identity and gender norms is suffocating, and Trans Week of Liberation allows us to celebrate the trans people doing the work to deconstruct these systems and others that bind us. We must uplift trans joy and expression now more than ever as we live in a time where people are out and proud with all forms of hate,” he says.

Throughout the week, a series of events aimed at fostering celebration, understanding, inclusivity and support for transgender individuals will include the following:

Ways to Support Transgender Individuals

“Trans Week of Liberation holds a special place in my heart as a fem-presenting non-binary individual,” says Tatiyyanah Nelums ’25. ” It’s a time when people come together to recognize and celebrate the complexities of gender identities. This week serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusivity and understanding. It’s about creating a community where everyone feels seen, heard and respected for who they are. Trans Week of Liberation is a beacon of hope, signaling progress toward a world where gender diversity is embraced and celebrated. It’s a collective effort to foster empathy, dismantle stereotypes and build a more inclusive future for all.”

All campus community members are welcome to participate in TWoL and support by attending events and learning more. Educational opportunities include learning more about what transgender is and what cisgender is, respecting people’s and , attending a , and/or training.

For more information about Trans Week of Liberation, please contact the LGBTQ Resource Center at lgbtq@syr.edu or call 315.443.0228.

Story by Student Experience Communications Graduate Assistant Kalaya Sibley ’24, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications     

To better understand the experiences and needs of transgender employees, the and the are hosting a focus group for transgender and nonbinary staff and faculty.

The feedback and information gathered from this focus group will contribute to the development of a transgender employee toolkit. This toolkit will assist with onboarding efforts, provide information for supervisors and managers to support our transgender community better, and include campus and community resources for transgender and nonbinary individuals.

To attend a focus group, for one of the following sessions:

• Thursday, Dec. 14: Noon-2 p.m., lunch provided (in-person)
• Friday, Dec. 15: 12:30-2 p.m.,  meal voucher for Schine provided (Zoom)

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion by email at diversity@syr.edu.

Update Nov. 27: This event will now run from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 29 in 214 Slocum Hall.

Anti-trans legislation—including proposed bills and laws that attempt to limit health care access, remove Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) materials from schools and ban trans athletes from sports—have recently passed in some states.

For transgender and nonbinary individuals, these actions may compound on a personal level, resulting in negative impacts on their mental health and wellness while echoing throughout a lifetime of intersecting identities within work, education, personal relationships and more.

On Wednesday, Nov. 29, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., the University campus community is invited to learn more about this topic by attending the in 214 Slocum Hall.

Staff members from the Barnes Center at The Arch, the LGBTQ Resource Center and the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics’ marriage and family therapy program will explore the health and wellness impact these legislations can have on the trans and gender non-conforming community, and what the University can do to mitigate these negative impacts while providing critical supports for LGBTQ individuals.

“We see this panel as an opportunity to increase knowledge and awareness of the impact of the current sociopolitical landscape on our LGBTQ+ students, faculty, staff and community members,� says Carrie Brown, counseling director at the Barnes Center at The Arch. “We hope this inspires and empowers all, as it is everyone’s responsibility to further support cultivating a welcoming, validating and accepting community on campus and beyond.�

Íø±¬ÃÅ Trans and Gender-Affirming Support

As a connected campus community, faculty, staff and students actively work to remove barriers and increase access to student-focused and student-guided Trans and Gender Affirming support. Highlighted campus resources include but are not limited to the following:

Trans and Gender Affirming Health and Wellness

• Wellness exams, supplies (e.g. chest binders, KT Tape), hormone therapy and more;
• Official letters and documentation of name and gender;
• A diverse team of Barnes Center counselors provide group therapy and individual counseling; and
• Free, discreet and inclusive Safer Sex Express sexual health care supplies.

For more information, visit the .

Discovering Community

• : ,

For more information, visit the .

Strengthening a Welcoming Campus

• Workshops: ,
• Trainings: , ,
• .

Each October, the unveils a calendar that through the lenses of intersectionality, LGBTQ and global communities reflects on their history and contributions while looking to the future. The University’s is Monday, Oct. 2.

LGBTQ History Month was created in 1994 by Rodney Wilson, a high school history teacher in Missouri. In 1995, a resolution passed by the General Assembly of the National Education Association included LGBTQ History Month within a list of commemorative months. October was selected to coincide with National Coming Out Day (Oct. 11), which was already established, and the anniversary of the first march on Washington for gay and lesbian rights in 1979.

This month provides an opportunity for the campus community to learn more about and celebrate the history, culture and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual communities through a host of educational events, social events and discussions. With planning led by the LGBTQ Resource Center, the month supports the ongoing efforts of the center to raise awareness and offer support to queer and trans students, staff and faculty and promote a sense of belonging and inclusion on campus and beyond.

This year’s events are more important than ever. “At a time when attempts are being made to erase our community through anti-LGBTQ bills—banning books about us, eliminating access to health care for our trans siblings, or keeping some of us from public spaces by enforcing antiquated gendered dress codes—it is imperative that as a community, of both queer and trans people as well as allies, we educate ourselves about who we are and where we came from,â€� says Jorge A. Castillo, director of the LGBTQ Resource Center. “This month’s calendar of events and programs celebrates and acknowledges the achievements, milestones and ongoing challenges faced by our community as we collectively imagine our future.â€�

Members of both the Íø±¬ÃÅ and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry communities are invited to participate. Explore event highlights below and the complete list on the .

• Friday, Oct. 6, 5-7 p.m.:
• Wednesday, Oct. 11, Noon-4 p.m.:
• Thursday, Oct. 19, 7-8:30 p.m.:
• Friday, Oct. 20, 6-8 p.m.:
• Saturday, Oct. 21, 10 p.m.-Midnight:

Call-to-Sign: Queer and Trans Solidarity List 2023-24

As a visual representation, the helps to highlight and further the support within our campus communities. The LGBTQ Resource Center will collect names throughout the academic year for online publication; those who would like to have their name included in the print version of the list in The Daily Orange must submit their name by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 8.

For more information or to request accommodations, contact the by calling 315.443.0228 or emailing lgbtq@syr.edu.

Story by Esteban Quiñones ’24, Student Experience intern

Íø±¬ÃÅ is proud to announce its vibrant lineup of events celebrating from Friday, Sept. 15 to Sunday, Oct. 15. This annual celebration, which honors the rich cultural heritage and contributions of the Latine community, will feature a diverse range of activities that are sure to engage and enlighten participants.

“This year’s Latine Heritage Month celebrations are hosted by Íø±¬ÃÅ’s in collaboration with numerous University partners and community organizations, which include the , , , , , ,  and Latine such as Las Naranjas,â€� says Breana Nieves Vergara, assistant director in Multicultural Affairs and co-chair of the Latine Heritage Month planning committee. “These events provide an opportunity for our campus and the broader community to come together, learn and celebrate the diverse and rich culture of the Latine community, inclusive of Americans whose ancestry can be traced to more than 20 Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America, including Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Latine Heritage Month aims to promote the history of solidarity with and intersectionality across identities and cultures. To celebrate Latine, Latinx, Latino, Latina and Hispanic heritage is to celebrate American culture.”

The Latine Heritage Month celebration kicks off with an and on Friday, Sept. 15, in the Schine Student Center atrium. These events will set the stage for a monthlong journey through Latine culture, featuring performances, speakers, discussions, sporting events and more.

One of the most anticipated events of the month is the , scheduled for Friday, Oct. 6. The event features Latine cuisine and live entertainment from Trio Los Claveles, Raices Dance Troupe and the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations.

Sports enthusiasts won’t want to miss the annual , where friendly competition and community spirit will be on full display. Teams can register now through Wednesday, Sept. 13. All are invited to the tournament on Saturday, Sept. 16.

As part of the festivities, the Latine Heritage Month planning committee is once again partnering with the LGBTQ Resource Center to host a joint commemorative speaker. The Latine Heritage Month and LGBTQ+ History Month Potash Collaborative Keynote will feature acclaimed drag performer, recently featured on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 15, , who will deliver a drag performance and keynote remarks revolving around her queer and Latine identities, as well as leave time for audience Q&A.

For more information about the Latine Heritage Month celebration and a complete schedule of events, please visit the .

Written by Kalaya Sibley G’24 graduate assistant in Student Experience Communications

From an early age, Erykah Pasha ’24 has been driven to help provide a voice for those who have been systematically oppressed and suppressed in their community.

Originally when Pasha enrolled, they felt passionately that becoming a lawyer was the best way to bring about change in their community. But Pasha soon realized the legal field wasn’t for them, and instead, set their sights on earning dual degrees in political science and sociology in the and the .

Since embarking on this journey, Pasha credits the University for providing them with the resources and, more importantly, the opportunities to effect change. Included in those efforts are Pasha’s involvement with a local organization, . The organization educates women of color about reproductive and sexual wellness issues while engaging with a community that often feels neglected, Pasha says.

“Syracuse just always seemed like it was going to be the place for me to go, and since I started going here, it’s clear that was the right choice for me,� Pasha says. “My education has allowed me to improve my own engagement with my community here in the City of Syracuse.�

When they graduate, Pasha plans on assisting marginalized communities and citizens through policy and political engagement.

This summer, Pasha is participating in a highly competitive and prestigious public affairs experience, serving as a research assistant at the University of Michigan through the . Pasha will assist Lydia Kelow-Bennett, assistant professor of Afroamerican and African studies at the University of Michigan, on a book proposal on Black women in popular culture.

On this “’Cuse Conversation,� Pasha, a and , discusses their research, how they hopes to create change through this summer experience and how they found their voice through their time on campus.

As Pride Month is celebrated across the country, Pasha, who identifies as queer, shares how both the and the play a pivotal role in their development as a campus leader and how the programs and engagement efforts offered through the LGBTQ Resource Center created a home-away-from-home atmosphere.

Check out episode 141 of the “’Cuse Conversations� podcast featuring Pasha. A transcript [PDF] is also available.