Center for Trans and Queer Advocacy
The Center for Trans and Queer Advocacy is a part of the Division for Access, Compliance, and Engagement. You can find out more about on our divisional website: Division of Access, Compliance, and Engagement.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Center for Trans and Queer Advocacy (CTQA) is to cultivate an environment where the intersectional experiences of trans and queer people are supported, celebrated, validated and affirmed by providing access to LGBTQIA+ resources and community advancement.
Center for Trans and Queer Advocacy Values
Advocacy
Utilizing education, resource building, critical collaboration, strategic planning, and using our voices for positive change we strive to exemplify for our colleagues and students the potential of a unified and empowered campus community. Education sits at the center of our toolkit for the creation of greater advocates, peer support, and campus leaders. We work within an ethical framework to provide resources to those who may not have equal access and to stay accountable for supporting our underrepresented and underserved community members.
Social Justice
We are dedicated to celebrating and validating the intersections of everyone’s identities and working towards dismantling the structural inequalities that disproportionately affect communities. Through education, action, advocacy and accountability we work to uplift queer and trans people living in discriminatory conditions, so they can freely live their lives. Ultimately, we aim to work in solidarity to reimagine a globally and socially just environment.
Intersectionality
We utilize an intersectional framework as a foundation. Intersectionality is rooted in Kimberle Crenshaw’s work addressing the relationship between race and gender. Intersectionality highlights how our social identities are woven and interconnected to power structures and systemic oppression, which impacts people’s identities. To create a just campus and world, we advocate for all people.
Holistic Wellness
We are committed to the personal and professional well-being of our WCU community. We care about the entirety of their experiences and acknowledge that prioritizing self-care within our communities is often overlooked, devalued, and neglected. We believe reclaiming self-care is an action towards self-love. We offer opportunities to deepen one’s individual sense of wellness, and encourage communal engagement in learning, development, fulfillment, and academic success.
Meet Our Team
Director
Center for Trans and Queer Advocacy
Name:
Kristin EnglishPronouns: She/Her
Phone Number: 610-436-3571
Administrative Assistant
Center for Trans and Queer Advocacy
Name:
Anthony AlfordPronouns: He/Him
Phone Number: 610-436-3147
Bryce is a second-year graduate student from Harmony, PA in the Higher Education Policy and Student Affairs master’s program here at WCU. They got their bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Bloomsburg University. She works for the CTQA and for the Division of Student Affairs' Professional Development team and is especially interested in career readiness skills for queer undergrads.
Ryan Cassidy is a first-year graduate student in the Higher Education Policy and Student Affairs (HEPSA) program at West Chester University. Ryan graduated with his Psychology B.S. and Civic and Professional Leadership minor from WCU in Spring 2026, and intends to continue LGBTQ student advocacy work upon graduation from the HEPSA program in 2028.
Meet Our Peer Educators
Laney is a third-year CRJ major at West Chester University, and it's her first year as a peer educator at the CTQA! Laney strives for advocacy in her academic pursuits, work, and personal life. She's eager for her time at the CTQA and can’t wait for all the fun events coming this year.
Dakota (he/him) is a second year Women’s and Gender Studies major. Dakota’s specific areas of interest are sex education and queer theory. During his time here, Dakota hopes to improve students’ general understanding of the queer community and to expand the campus communities’ knowledge of sex education to promote a safe and comfortable space here on campus.
Jane Keiser is a 2nd-year Music Ed major whose focus is in Voice. She is specifically interested in art and music in queer spaces. Fun fact: She can juggle and sing Opera at the same time.
Jax Alarie is an artist and social work student at West Chester university. They are passionate about advocacy and connecting community members with resources. They spend most of their free time hiking with their wife and painting in nature. They have a goal to do art in every PA state park before they graduate.
Klaus is a third year early grades preparation major. He works at the Sykes Student Union front desk and serves as the president for the Sexuality and Gender Alliance.
River Shields is a junior at West Chester University studying biology (ecology and conservation) with a minor in sustainability and resilience. She is passionate about social justice, environmental protection, and art and excited about all the work she can do at the CTQA!