University of Texas at Dallas Ranks One of ‘Best of the Best’ by Campus Pride
For the third consecutive year, The University of Texas at Dallas has been recognized as one of the nation’s “Best of the Best” colleges and universities for LGBTQ+ students.
UT Dallas was one of only two universities in the Southwest and 40 in the U.S. to make Campus Pride’s 2022 Best of the Best list. UTD earned five out of five stars on the Campus Pride Index, a benchmarking tool measuring LGBTQ-friendly policies, programs and practices, for the fourth consecutive year.
Dr. Yvette E. Pearson, vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion at UTD, credited the staff of the Galerstein Gender Center for helping UT Dallas become a safer and more welcoming environment.
“The leadership Matthew Winser-Johns and his team have shown in advancing equity for our LGBTQ+ campus community is exemplary,” Pearson said. “It is a critical component of the University’s efforts to be a place where members of the community from all backgrounds are welcomed, treated fairly and encouraged in their pursuit of excellence.”
Winser-Johns, the center’s director, said support across campus has made the recognition possible.
“The LGBTQ+ community at UT Dallas is so incredible, resilient and strong. I’m continually proud of our campus community for everyone’s commitment to affirming all LGBTQ+ people in their work, classroom and activities,” Winser-Johns said.
The center offers a range of resources and support for the LGBTQ community, including SAFE ZONE Ally training, LGBT & Ally Services+, Alternative Spring Break and Lavender Graduation. UT Dallas also offers services to the LGBTQ community through the Student Counseling Center and gender inclusive housing.
In June, BestColleges, in partnership with Campus Pride, ranked UT Dallas the 14th-best college in the nation for LGBTQ+ students.
Multicultural Center Assistant Director Earns Honor
David Robinson Jr., assistant director of outreach in the Multicultural Center at The University of Texas at Dallas, has received the 2022 Community STEM Impact Award from the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Professionals of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.
Robinson received his award at the 20th anniversary gala for Lockheed Martin’s NSBE chapter on Nov. 4 in Arlington, Texas.
“I am proud to have dedicated colleagues like David Robinson in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion,” said Dr. Yvette E. Pearson, vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at UTD. “He truly walks the walk of DEI work, and we are thankful for the acknowledgment he has received from the NSBE chapter at Lockheed Martin for his efforts.
“By helping connect K-12 students with NSBE, David’s efforts are creating pathways for students that they might not be able to conceive right now — pathways I hope will lead them to become future Comets and future engineers.”
The award recognizes Robinson’s contributions in the education and promotion of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to youth in his community. The Lockheed Martin chapter is the first corporate-centric NSBE chapter.
“[The award] is a great recognition. It’s always great to receive awards from people that you don’t know are looking — people that you’re working with that you know have a like mind for the work that you do,” Robinson said.
Robinson has been with UT Dallas for nearly 10 years, supporting programs for elementary through high school students, especially those focused on college and career readiness. He manages the African American Male Academic Bowl, a team-based event held at UTD each year for Black students in sixth through eighth grades.
“A lot of [K-12] schools and a lot of people outside of the schools do not know that there are a lot of great opportunities that colleges provide for their students for free, so it’s been my job — my mission — for years to try to shed light on opportunities for students that they can go to certain schools and that they can do well and flourish,” he said.