Safe Zone Support

A place where students can talk to an adult in a non-judgmental environment, receive support, and get connected to the resources they need to succeed is a Safe Zone. Marywood University aims to be a safe, empowering, and affirming place for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, & queer (LGBTQ+) students, faculty, & staff.

Lgbtq+pride-marywood.jpeg

Safe Zone Training

Safe Zone Training is a dynamic, interactive session for faculty & staff that includes activities & discussion around the following topics: inclusive and respectful language, the process of coming out, understanding sexual and gender identity, taking action on our campus, where to go for help and much more. This session will give participants the skills they need to provide support and to create environments that are safe, welcoming, and inclusive for LGBTQ+ students and colleagues.

Safe Zone Training sessions will be offered periodically throughout the academic year. Additionally, all Orientation Leaders, Resident Assistants, and Counseling/Student Development Center Staff are Safe Zone trained each year.

Advocate Training

Advocate Training is the student version of Safe Zone and can be requested for student organizations, athletic teams, classes, Greek organizations, or additional student groups. Contact Michael Kalage to schedule a Safe Zone or Advocate Training session for your department, organization, class, and/or team, or to ask any questions you might have.

Schedule a Training

Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA)

Students wishing to get involved as a member of the LGBTQ+ community or as an ally are encouraged to join the Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA). This student group meets biweekly (meeting times TBD for the Fall Semester) to socialize, plan events, and discuss issues facing the community.

Learn More about SAGA

Resources

Pronouns

All Marywood faculty & staff are encouraged to include their pronouns in the email signature.

Claim your custom Marywood-branded Gmail Signature

Why are pronouns important? Check out the articles below to learn more!

Creating an LGBTQ+ Friendly Campus

A Pronoun Is A Powerful Thing When It Comes To Identity And Acceptance

5 Ways To Make The Office More Welcoming For People Of All Gender Identities

Local Resources

Students who need assistance or who want to get involved in the community can reach out to these local organizations:

NEPA Rainbow Alliance

Facebook

The NEPA Rainbow Alliance provides education, support, and advocacy for LGBTQIA individuals and families while working to advance fairness and equality.

Queer NEPA

info@queernepa.org

Queer NEPA stands on a wholly intersectional platform of community building, education, and advocacy in Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA).

National Resources

Students in crisis are encouraged to use the following resources that can be reached from anywhere in the country:

The Trevor Project

866-488-7386

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.

Trans Lifeline

877-565-8860

Need to talk? Call! This peer support hotline is run by and for trans people. They’re available 7am-1am PST / 9am-3am CST / 10am-4am EST. Volunteers may be available during off hours.

Crisis Text Line

741741

Crisis Text Line is free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text 741741 from anywhere in the US to text with a trained Crisis Counselor.

Safe Zone Trained Faculty & Staff

The below list indicates Marywood faculty & staff members who have completed Safe Zone training and are ready & able to support LGBTQ+ students in times of need.

Kaitlin Anderle, Director of Student Disability Services
Todd Ardan, Campus Safety
Rachel Baldini, Dance Team Coach
Dr. Paul Ballard, Assistant Provost for Student Success
Dr. Jennifer Barna, Psychology & Counseling Department
Dr. Marie Bonavoglia, Physician Assistant Department
Hannah Brown, Financial Aid
Dr. Christina Brundage, Career Development Center
Stephanie Campo, College of Professional Studies
Frank Carey, Music Theater & Dance Department
Antonia Cerda-Bevan, Advising & Retention
Patrick Cowley, School of Education
Richard Cox, Marketing
Dr. Joshua Deckman, Communication, Language, and Literature Department
Renee DePietro, Campus Safety
Lea Dougherty, Social Work Department
Dr. Jeanine Engelmann, Exercise Science Department
Christina Gigler, School of Social Work
Jenny Gonzalez Monge, STARS Program
Juneann Greco, Marketing
Lawrence Hahn, Mathematics & Computer Science Department
Rachel Hartz, Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Dr. B. Lynn Hutchings, School of Social Work
Sue Jenkins, Art Department
Michelle Ketten, Advising & Career Development
Ashley Kruchinsky, Marketing
Dr. Chunchao Lane, Mathematics & Computer Science Department
Chesla Lenkaitis, Communication, Language, and Literature Department
Courene Loftus, Research & Sponsored Programs
Tara Lopatofsky, African Sisters Education Collaborative
Margaret Matthias, Registrar's Office
Dr. Christine McCarthy, Religious Studies Department
Ernie Mengoni, Communication, Language, and Literature Department
Christina Menn, Admissions
Jennifer Mercereau, School of Education
Sr. Christine Mihelich,IHM English Department
Dr. Lindsay Morton, Psychology & Counseling Department
Dr. Janet Muse-Burke, Psychology & Counseling Department
Ross Novak, Dean of Students
Dr. Amy Paciej-Woodruff, School of Education
Kim Padden, Human Resources
Derek Parker, Psychology & Counseling Department
Dr. Heidi Peters, Exercise Science Department
Kimberly Petro, Communication, Language, and Literature Department
Mary Reggie, Human Resources
Brandice Ricciardi, Counseling & Student Development Center
Dr. Lia Richards-Palmiter, School of Social Work
Dr. David Romines, Music Theater & Dance Department
Karen Rossmell, Psychology & Counseling Department
Larissa Schwass, Counseling & Student Development Center
Rebecca Sesky, Certification Officer
Marcia Shaffer, Library Services
Rosemary Shaver, African Sisters Education Collaborative
Maura Smith, Director of Student Health Services
Dr. Kevin Snow, Psychology & Counseling Department
Dr. Susan Turell, Psychology & Counseling Department
Keshia Vilchert, Equity and Inclusion
Christa Vinciguerra, Marketing
Deborah Wardach, Science Department
Susan Wilkerson, Counseling & Student Development Center
Jay Yander, Director of Graduate Admissions
Dr. Frances Zauhar, English Department
Haleigh Zurek, Student Engagement