Jesse Beal (they/them) joined the Spectrum Center in November 2021 and was named the Director in December 2022. Prior to arriving at the University of Michigan, Jesse served as the Director of The Gender and Sexuality Campus Center at Michigan State University. Jesse is an experienced student affairs practitioner, who brings over a decade of experience leading student-facing affinity-based resource centers at Amherst College, Brandeis University, Suffolk University, and MSU.
Tess (she/they) serves as a program specialist at the Spectrum Center. They collaborate with team members to develop curriculum and facilitate workshops for the UM community. Tess is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Social Work where she studied Interpersonal Practice and Mental Health. Prior to moving to Michigan, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Northwestern University.
Thea (they/she/he) is a senior majoring in Psychology with minors in CASC and LGBTQ+ & Sexuality Studies. TJ plans events and manages outreach for first year and transfer students and work on our basic needs and gender-affirming clothes closet. They are really passionate about comprehensive sexual education and mental health.
Angie Freeman, M.S. (they/them) is a fiery, energetic student affairs practitioner, educator, and speaker who pours their heart out into the work of social justice. With over a decade of experience in various roles such as residential life, mentoring, coaching, retention, training, advising, LGBTQ+ and diversity and inclusion, Angie continues to pave a path led by self-work and action.
Elizabeth (she/they) serves as the Education & Training Program Manager. Their responsibilities include facilitating Allyhood Development Trainings and consulting with campus partners about inclusive practices. Elizabeth is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Social Work where she studied Interpersonal Practice and Mental Health. Elizabeth earned a Bachelor’s of Arts with a focus on Sociology and Government and a Bachelor's of Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin.
Michelle Knappe (she/her) serves as the graphic designer for the Spectrum Center. She is currently in her senior year at the University of Michigan studying Art and Design with a minor in Community Action and Social Change.
Jamy (they/any) is a non-traditional 3rd year undergraduate on the pre-medical track studying Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience with a minor in Sociology of Health and Medicine. They currently serve the Spectrum Center as a front desk attendant and as the leader of the QTBIPOC+ CenterSpace, and take great pride in being one of the first faces students see when they enter the office.
Uriel (they/them) serves as the Office Coordinator at the Spectrum Center. They provide administrative support for the Center and help to make the office a welcoming space for students and visitors. Uriel graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in history in 2021, where their studies focused on gender and sexuality in the Greco-Roman world. Making U of M a safe, welcoming place for students is important to Uriel, and they’re excited to support the community through the Spectrum Center. Contact Uriel for administrative assistance or questions about the office space!
Lorant (they/them) serves as our temporary Program Specialist for Education & Training at the Center. Their responsibilities include developing new curriculum, hosting workshops, and consulting with campus partners on how to better serve LGBTQ+ students. Lorant graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 2019 with a B.S. in Women's and Gender Studies and minors in both Social Work and Interdisciplinary Leadership and will be leaving the state of Michigan in 2023 to get their Master's degree in Higher Education - though a location has not yet been determined.
Nick Pfost (he/they) is a communications strategist at the University of Michigan, serving The Program on Intergroup Relations, Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs, and Spectrum Center. An MPP-trained communicator with over a decade of experience in higher education and nonprofits, they lead in each unit on communications, marketing, and design to advance their missions and impact.
Avery Thompson (she/her) is a current sophomore at the University of Michigan studying sociology with a minor in LGBTQ+ studies. As a front desk student lead, she enjoys connecting with students and staff alike, and looks forward to getting to know more members of the community. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, DnD, and cooking.
Des (he/they) is a first-generation Latinx scholar and Master's student at the University of Michigan's Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education (CSHPE) with a concentration in diversity and social justice. His research interests focus on the experiences of trans and queer students of color finding and cultivating community in collegiate contexts. Des supports the Center's research and assessment initiatives, including the development of a campus-wide study that seeks to better understand the experiences of QTBIPOC at UMich.
Grey Weinstein (he/they) facilitates programming for queer and trans students at the Spectrum Center. They currently co-lead the FreshSpectives program for first year and transfer students, as well as the Trans and Nonbinary CenterSpace. He also facilitates programming that connects students to gender affirming items, such as the Gender Affirming Clothing Swap or the Safe Binding Workshop.
