The LGBTQ+ Center has appointed two new staff members who will work collaboratively with students, faculty and staff across campus, promoting inclusivity, outreach, visibility and intellectual engagement regarding sexual orientations and gender identities.
As the Center’s new assistant director, Ellen Rodrigues will implement programs and trainings and advise student organizations. She is also a clinical assistant professor of Women’s and Gender Studies and will oversee the LGBTQ Studies minor in that department. A WVU alumna, Rodrigues previously served as diversity & affirmative action specialist in the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at WVU and as a member of the Sociology department at West Virginia University at Parkersburg.
Brad Grimes, a graduate of Georgetown University and the WVU College of Law, will manage the LGBTQ+ Center and the Women’s Resource Center as an administrative assistant, welcoming students and discussing advocacy programming and training opportunities for the Centers’ communities.
Established in 2016 and currently led by Director Cris Mayo, the LGBTQ+ Center was created to offer support in developing and delivering inclusive programming and outreach initiatives for WVU students, faculty and staff. The Center aims to collaborate with and support the University’s larger social justice efforts by providing academic and curricular support on all campuses, by advocating for members of our community, and by building coalitions.