What does identifying (or not identifying) with the BGLTQ community mean to you?

I think this changes for me on a somewhat regular basis, and has been impacted somewhat by the COVID-19 pandemic. I've missed being able to be in the presence of other queer folks, and look forward to hopefully taking advantage of opportunities to attend BGLTQ centered events once life gets back to normal, and definitely looking forward to Pride returning to Boston.

How, if at all, has your identity shaped your academic and/or professional journey?

While I wasn't very involved in LGBT+ student organizations or events as an undergraduate, I have tried to become more involved as a professional. In graduate school (BC '13), I was the only out RA in my hall (both years) and one of the only out individuals I knew. I focused several of my graduate research papers on working with queer students. I advised the Pride organization for two years at Bryant University when I worked there as a Resident Director (2013-2015) and have tried to partner closely with the Office of BGLTQ Student Life since arriving at Harvard in 2016.

What advice would you give to yourself when you were an undergraduate?

I wish I had gotten more involved in LGBT student life as an undergraduate (BU '11). At the time, being gay wasn't something I considered integral to my identity - I was recently out (and not fully out to family) and it would have been nice to have a stronger network of queer folks in my life. I get a lot of joy at how comfortable students I've worked with have been in expressing their identities here at Harvard and hope to be involved in helping make Harvard a more inclusive space.

What support can you provide to current undergraduate BGLTQ students who are hoping to enter into your field?

Higher education has generally been a very supportive space for me as a gay man. People who work at colleges/universities tend to have been exposed to very diverse groups of folks and I'd be happy to talk to anyone about what it's like to work in student affairs/residence life.

What are your areas of expertise?

Housing operations, residence life, residential education, higher education administration.