“I work, but it doesn’t feel like it because I am fulfilling my passion,” said Gisela Vega.
As director of the LGBTQ Student Center, Vega’s passion for inclusion and student engagement is reflected in her commitments to the University and local communities. Driven from her own experiences as a student, she works to offer today’s generation a place of comfort, acceptance, and the ability to explore studies of gender and sexuality on campus.
Recently honored as a 2022 Diamond Honoree from the ACPA - College Student Educators International, a professional group dedicated to the advancement of the student affairs field, Vega continues to support students in both their campus and personal lives.
“It’s a huge honor especially because the nomination comes from my peers and professional colleagues recognizing the work accomplished at the University of Miami and my 30 years of work in higher education,” said Vega.
The award comes after several impactful initiatives of the LGBTQ Student Center this year, most notably the introduction of a living-learning community (LLC) within Mahoney Residential College. Pairing residential housing with academics, the themed community brings gender and sexuality topics to students’ doorsteps. The program welcomes all students, regardless of sexual orientation, to learn about gender studies issues and gain leadership skills through opportunities that enhance students’ understanding of gender and sexuality.
“The LLC allows for like-minded individuals to engage with their peers and the surrounding Miami community. By offering themed courses in a residential environment, students not only explore what the University has to offer academically but also help create a safe space,” added Vega.
Fostering allyship and acceptance, the LLC will continue its program next fall in Eaton Residential College where existing members of the LLC will serve as mentors for incoming students. To learn more about the LLC, students can watch a pre-recorded information session. Open to all undergraduate students residing on campus next year, those interested in joining the community are encouraged to register to secure a space within the LLC.
But Vega’s impact and the reach of the LGBTQ Student Center extend even further. The IBIS Mentorship Program offers undergraduate and graduate students who identify within the LGBTQ+ community guidance from a paired University employee who serves as an on-campus role model and support system. Additionally, the revamped IBIS Ally Network similarly guides both faculty and staff on how to be effective allies and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community.
“At the LGBTQ Student Center, our mission is to help students not only get involved but to experience belonging. As someone who was ostracized for my own sexual identity, I work to ensure other students do not feel like that,” concluded Dr. Vega.
To learn more about events, programs, and other initiatives offered by the LGBTQ Student Center, visit the center’s website or follow its Instagram account.
