Jesse Beal joined the Spectrum Center in November 2021 as the Associate Director. Prior to arriving at the University of Michigan, they 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.
Alyssa serves as the Learning and Development Program Specialist at the Spectrum Center. Her work revolves around organizing and supporting Allyhood Development Trainings and LGBTQ+ inclusivity and sensitivity workshops along with Support Services. She is passionate about her work in helping create safe inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ folk of all ages, races, and identities.
Liz serves as the Education & Training Program Manager. Her responsibilities include facilitating Allyhood Development Trainings and consulting with campus partners about inclusive practices. Liz is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Social Work where she studied Interpersonal Practice and Mental Health. Liz 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.
Kaden serves as the Office Coordinator at the Spectrum Center where he provides direct support to our unit Director, handles all administrative needs for the Center, and provides programming support to both our professional and student staff members. Kaden graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 2015 where he earned a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology with a minor in Human Sexuality.
What is your major/minor? Sociology and Women's and Gender Studies
What is your year in school? Fourth year
What are your pronouns? ze/hir, he/him, they/them
What is a social justice issue that you care about? Undermining the institutional myth/value of objectivity that causes harm in just about every field of study, but especially in the field of sociology.
Lorant serves as the Program Specialist for Events and Partnerships at the Center. Their responsibilities revolve around event planning, student engagement and outreach efforts for the Center. 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. They are happy to talk about collaborations and potential opportunities for the LGBTQ+ students on campus.
Will serves as the Director of the Spectrum Center. As Director, Will focuses on diversity and inclusion strategic planning, organizational development, supervision, and leadership of campus-wide educational programming. Will is a 2007 graduate of the University Of Michigan School of Social Work where he focused on Interpersonal Practice with Children, Youth and Families and a 2005 graduate of the College of Wooster.
What is your major/minor? At the moment, considering majoring in Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity (EEB); but am open to discovering different possibilities!
What is your year in school? First year
What are your pronouns? she/her
What is a social justice issue that you care about? Queer representation in media (along with a whole slew of other social justice issues, this one is just on my mind at the moment.)
